Rachel Bachmann
Director
Bite Communications
"Year on year, it’s extremely difficult for us to find a venue for PlayBite that’s individual and unique, situated in the West End and able to cope with our IT requirements – we needed over 60 wireless LAN connections at the same time – and for us Congress Centre is a hidden gem. The quality of facilities, food and service were also very important considerations when selecting a venue and Congress Centre ticked every box – so much so that we’ve already booked it again for next year."
Kerry Porritt
Deputy Company Secretary
Brambles PLC
"This year’s event [Bramble’s AGM] will be pretty hi-tech. As well as bringing in a special stage set, all directors will have monitors and the Company Secretary and I will be communicating with each other via a Realtime message board during the event itself. We will also be making full use of the plasma screens at Congress Centre, initially for signage and latterly for showing our corporate video.We’ve chosen Congress Centre again this year as it is ideal for us. Its West End location suits both staff and shareholders, the size and layout work brilliantly and even the corporate colours tie in with ours. We can also make use of the excellent in-house hi-tech equipment and the staff at the centre are all incredibly helpful. I’m sure we’ll be returning again next year too."
Ben Collins
Director
International HIV Partnerships
"Dear Anne and Ruby,I thought it best to share the evaluation results from our European ChemSex Forum. I hope this is helpful. Thanks again for your efforts.I have organised conferences and events for the past 40 years in Africa, Northern and Central America, Asia, the UK and Europe.From the moment we arrived and were personally greeted at the entrance I found the Congress Centre experience to be unique, inviting, smart, well organised, friendly and ultimately good value and conducive to excellent results for my team and our participants.At the first site visit we were greeted at the registration area with big overhead screens with the logo for our event. (We are all smiling.) The entire place was in perfect shape, nothing laying around from the last event. The drinks and food area was brightly lit with natural lighting from above. Ceilings very very high. Everything was relaxed and inviting.While we viewed the main meeting area [at the initial site visit], huge overhead screens were showing the room in all its capacities and set ups. So as we asked questions the host was able to demonstrate her answers by referring to the screens.I could go on but you get the point. At the tour the host led us through the costings. Based on our situation she offered to sit with our conference planners and work out the best possible rates for us. The costs, relative to other less optimal sites, were better. The cuts made were unnoticed by our guests.As you see from the rating [the venue received an average score of over 4.5/5 by attendees] our guests rated the site very high. And there were numerous positive comments in the detailed evaluation.There was one very small problem. Only one. And it was dealt with as quickly as possible, without any notice by our guests.The sound, lighting, staff relations were all of the best quality.I couldn’t praise the place any more. I’ve already recommended it to a number of colleagues.Best to the Congress Centre and your efforts.Thanks,Benjamin Collins,International HIV Partnerships (IHP)"
Lynsey Little
Events Manager
Distilled
"Congress Centre is the perfect venue for our London LinkLove conference as it is in such a central location which makes it really easy to get to on public transport. Congress Hall has an amazing 1950s original space-frame ceiling which lets in natural light so delegates don’t feel like they’re stuck underground for the day, and the great stage set and range of hi-tech equipment there mean that we don’t need to hire in anything extra. The venue also provides excellent service with a dedicated account manager always on hand to offer help and support."
John Cornley
Managing Director
Touch Worldwide
"Congress Centre was chosen for its central location and its flexibility of space. We needed to accommodate not only a plenary session but five individual interactive breakout zones and we achieved this with great success thanks to a creative use of the space. The staff at the venue couldn’t have been more helpful and their careful attention to detail helped ensure that the event ran smoothly from start to finish."
Lizzie Randall
Events Manager
Internet Advertising Bureau
"Congress Centre was a superb venue for our event because of its central location, large air conditioned ‘daylight’ hall and hi-tech facilities. The Congress Centre team pulled out all the stops to ensure the event went 100% smoothly."
Mary Fulton
Event Organiser
"We’ve chosen Congress Centre for the event [the launch of a new James Bond book] as it is very well located in London’s West End only moments from public transport. The venue is also very interesting architecturally, being a 1950s’ listed building, with lots of hi-tech features which are a perfect backdrop for a Bond novel."
Troy Townsend
Project Manager
Kick It Out
"We returned to Congress Centre for the third year running as the location is extremely convenient and the standard of facilities and service at the venue are first class."
Tony Orr
Managing Director
JB Communications
"London’s Congress Centre was chosen for this event as it was ideally situated near the J Sainsbury head office in the heart of London’s West End. The Centre had exactly the right ambience we were looking for; it is contemporary and professional and exactly the size needed to create the different zones, enabling Warburton’s to really engage and interact with the guests from Sainsbury’s. Congress Centre’s team pulled out all the stops on the day to ensure the event was a resounding success."
Helen Bourke (Head of Events)
Association of Employment and Learning Providers
"I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for all your help and support prior to and during our event.
Congress Centre is one of our favourite venues not least because all our events run so smoothly. Please would you also pass on my sincere thanks to Ian for doing such a sterling job of taking care of all our needs on the day – he couldn’t have done anymore than he did (honestly)!. Also to all the catering staff who also helped to ensure the easy flow of delegates during refreshment and lunch breaks and with a smile too!
Be in touch again soon when we have another requirement for Congress Centre and very much looking forward to it.
Best wishes.
Helen"
Stacey Mack, Medical Protection Society
When commenting about Congress Centre’s service, Stacey said: "Claire was amazing. We had lots of meetings, phone calls and discussions about all aspects of the event and she knew exactly what we wanted. Nothing was too much trouble and she was always happy to help. I felt like she really cared about our event and wanted it be a success. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, passion and attention to detail." and she also said "Luca did a great job on the day of the event and worked really hard to make is a success."
When asked about the food, here are her views: "Oh wow - the bowl food. Delegates could not stop raving about it. It was very well received and went down a treat. The catering was great, plentiful and tasty and the little cakes were divine. The cheese was delicious too. I didn't get a chance to taste the canapés - maybe a few more choices for canapés could be an area for improvement. Overall food was a hit! Thank you."
Her view of the staff overall was: "One word - Amazing! Thank you. Incredibly efficient, friendly, helpful. Went out of their way to help and make my job so much easier. Really care about what they do and looked after us so well. Thank you! (I'm sorry I've forgotten everyone's names - you know who you are!).
Matt Walker
Event Organiser
Digital Television Group
"With high quality AV facilities, one of the largest screens in the city, and tailored delegate packages at reasonable rates, the Congress Centre is an obvious choice for large-scale corporate conferences in central London. We are delighted to be returning to the venue again this year."
Senior Events Manager
Rail Media
"I wanted to drop you an email to say ‘thank you’ for all your help and support in planning the Rail Sustainability Summit on Tuesday.
I know I was a nightmare to get hold of (damn these events), and I really appreciated you calm persistence!!
The event was a tremendous success!
I have received lots of positive comments from the speakers, the delegates and the exhibitors.
Everyone loved the venue, and the food!
We ate the cakes on the way home on the train – a cuppa and a chocolate cake, perfect!!!
Can you pass o my thanks to lovely Ian, lovely Kathy and lovely Nicky – without them, the event would not have happened!
Nicky was so patient with me and the speakers!
Kathy was so caring… and trying to constantly fatten us up
Ian was there to receive my hugs and also get things done.
Thank you Congress Team!"