| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 07/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 34 |
| Copyright: Other |
New development by Penny Russell
ExCel to boost London’s conference facilities
New £250m complex to open in Docklands
LONDON’S business travel market will get a much needed boost in November when ExCel – a £250m conference, meetings, exhibitions and incentive complex – opens in Docklands.The first phase of the complex will be larger than Earl’s Court and by 2003, when the second and third phases of the development are completed, the facility will be larger than Earl’s Court and Olympia combined.
This is good news for conference and incentive agents, who for years have struggled to meet their clients needs in the UK capital and all too often taken their business to other UK and European venues.
ExCel will not only have extensive conference space, it will also have six hotels, apartments, serviced apartments, restaurants and bars.
It is situated alongside Royal Victoria Dock and developers are taking advantage of this waterside location to build a waterfront complex.
ExCel director of customer services and sales Carolyn Hurley said that unlike other London conference venues, ExCel will provide a one-stop shop for large events. “ExCel is so flexible. We can offer conferences and fun incentives. We are looking to set up alliances so we can offer power boating and jet skiing,” she said.
Lee Eld, technical director of events organiser Skybridge Group, predicted that ExCel will have a major impact on the London market: “Once people overcome the perception that this part of London is difficult to reach transport wise, it will be a huge success,” he said.
Hurley claimed ExCel will be easy to reach by road, rail and air. It is a five-minute drive from London City Airport, 15 minutes by tube on the Jubilee Line from Waterloo and is also served by three Docklands Light Railway stations. A shuttle bus will service the two-minute journey from Canning Town station. There will also be 5,000 parking spaces at the site, which is 15 minutes from Junction 27 of the M25.
Although initially promoting the development direct to corporates, Hurley said ExCel is encouraging these companies to book through agents.
ExCel: will have extensive conference facilities, plus six hotels, apartments, cafés, restaurants and bars
factfile
ExCEL
Where is it? Alongside Royal Victoria Docks, 20 minutes from the City and 10 minutes from Canary Wharf.
When will it open? The first phase will comprise 90,000sq metres of exhibition, conference and event space and is due to open in November. A second and third phase, in 2002 and 2003, will bring this space to 155,000sq metres.
What facilities will it offer? Exhibitions halls will accommodate events from 4,000sq metres to 65,000sq metres of column-free space. It can cater for conferences with over 4,500 delegates. An additional 13,000sq metres of breakout, seminar and conference space can be accessed from the exhibition halls. Purpose-built conference suites will cater for up to 1,157 delegates. There will also be a creche, business centre and facilities for the disabled.
What events are already booked? There are 130 events already scheduled to take place at ExCel, including the 2004 Boat Show, Drives and Controls, DIY and Home Improvement Show and Careers and Jobs Live.
How do I book an event? Call 020 7476 0101.
How do I get further information? Check the Web site at www.excel-london.co.uk.