JUNE | NOEA COLUMN
Birds-eye view
of London
NOEA’s Susan Tanner reflects on
the capital city’s event goings-on
T
his month Access is rightly taking a look at
the nation’s capital from an outdoor events
perspective, something we’re delighted
to support here at NOEA. While, we’re a national
organisation, and one of the few in the UK with a
genuine, quality membership structure in Scotland,
we often look at the national seat of the wider events
industry as to reside more in the West Country; with
Bath the home of our annual convention and awards.
However, we are continuously reminded of the quality
of events, event companies and creative event production
support businesses, found working within the capital.
This isn’t just about the fl agship national events such as
the Marathon and other sporting occasions, or the big
UK festivals.
One of the things we admire most about the London
events market is that it refl ects its population make up;
a major city subdivided into hundreds of smaller ‘village’
communities, interest groups and experiences.
Last year we had amazing events, based in London,
entering and succeeding in our annual awards. They
spanned from community healthcare events, to small
niche festivals, many of which fl y well beneath the
radar of the larger national extravaganza’s we often
characterise as ‘London’ events.
It is these events which we’re right to celebrate in
this issue, they refl ect the diversity and creativity that
characterises the UK’s outdoor events industry, and
they serve a wider public good that is built around
community. It is these events that are so important in
the value of our industry to so many around the country.
We should also recognise the many event
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management companies that do business within the
capital. London, like many other places across the UK,
can be a frustrating place to put on large events. Civil
approval can be inconsistent at best and downright
confusing at worst, and it can take a lot of experience to
negotiate one’s way through the nitty gritty of holding
an event in the capital.
We’re fortunate enough to have many companies
and individuals within the NOEA membership who
understand this unique landscape, and we’d advise
anyone looking to start an event in the capital, to engage
with our members. London is a city which can make your
event famous, but it takes expertise and experience to
get the infrastructure right.
However, London, like many of our major UK cities,
loves events, and values them as a way to bring people
together, promote businesses, and as an advert for
the city’s international brand. Additionally, when the
event is up and running, there is the wonder of a seven
million plus strong population to tap into, connected
by sophisticated transport networks, and accessible
from both within, and outside of the capital. This gives
support to smaller, more niche events to take the risk
and often succeed here, where anywhere else it would
not be possible.
For us, many London events are as much national as
regional events, and they serve a grander purpose of
shining and international light onto the events industry.
However, there are also brilliant events taking place
across the capital every day, created by smart, creative
individuals supported by great businesses. So, here’s to
London ... for a change!
“London’s events
market refl ects
its population
make up; a
major city
subdivided into
hundreds of
smaller ‘village’
communities,
interest groups
and experiences.”