October 2021 Case Study 47 which means digital infrastructure is more vital than ever before .
London has been using the quieter times during the pandemic to develop and grow the amount of integrated hybrid technology it offers in its worldclass events venues .
The city is now home to cutting-edge streaming capabilities , virtual technology , smart stages and dedicated broadcasting studios .
Game-changing technologies , such as etc . venues ’ Green Screen Studio solution , which is an interactive stage developed by its partner Encore , to ExCel London ’ s versatile and visually engaging studio , delivering broadcast-quality content from a digital platform for highly dynamic hybrid events , allows London to stand out .
“ We are now focused on offering hybrid meeting technology at our venues ,” says Rita Pereira , head of account management for etc . venues , who hosted Fintech Week London at 133 Houndstitch . “ We have a lot of in-build tech and super-fast connectivity . We use tools that make the attendees at home feel more like they are part of the day . For those who come on-site , we are absolutely committed to making their day memorable and offering them a great experience . Hybrid solutions really give extra confidence to our clients to book their events and reach a wider audience .”
Vademecom , the Belgiumbased organiser of Fintech Week London agrees that high-quality hybrid technology is essential in the short to medium term .
Marie Elise Adriansens from Vademecom says : “ I think physical events will come back , but there will always be hybrid . We are reaching an audience that we would never reach with only physical events . The technique has become so easy with all the possible platforms that it ’ s now a must for every conference .”
The London difference As well as London ’ s strong fintech credentials , range of venues and technological capabilities , stakeholders were also unanimous about the enhanced support that the London Convention Bureau provided . Its service spans above and beyond supplying venues and accommodation as its head of Europe , Barbara Jamison-Woods
FINTECH WEEK LONDON : IN NUMBERS
12-16 JULY 2021 450 + IN-PERSON ATTENDEES 4 LOCATIONS 1,000 + VIRTUAL ATTENDEES VIRTUAL PLATFORM : BRELLA
32 HOURS OF LIVE STREAM 180 + SPEAKERS 5,500 + CHAT MESSAGES IN BRELLA 3,000 + MEETING REQUESTS explains : “ The London Convention Bureau is fully integrated with business growth , foreign direct investment and trade teams , to look at a business event as a catalyst for growth , job creation and a lasting legacy in that particular sector .
“ We give clients a free and unbiased service and support from a practical point of view , but more than that , we work with our FDI colleagues to make sure each event has a tangible impact on the host ’ s bottom line . We also facilitate round-tables , give PR support , help with delegate up-lift , and connections to our business networks .
“ The flexibility of the city itself is another selling point ; hotels are in walking distance and easy reach of venues , hospitality , restaurants and transport hubs . The benefit of using venues across London ’ s distinctive neighbourhoods for Fintech Week London capitalised on the fact that everyone was excited to be out and about once again .”
London ’ s benefit was also clear to Vademecom ’ s Adriansens . She says : “ We were completely sold out . You could feel it in the air ; people were really happy to see each other again . London is the hub and it stays as the hub . Everyone who works in the fintech world had to be here . It was all easy ; the people [ at the CVB ] were very professional and very used to hosting events . London & Partners helped us to find the right venues and even briefed the venues before I briefed them , so that was also a help .”
The results Fintech Week London was a huge success and a signpost that hybrid events have returned to London after a long winter lockdown .
More than 1,000 virtual attendees signed-on to watch sessions alongside 450 + in-person delegates .
They saw 32 hours of live streamed content from more than 180 speakers . Delegates sent more than 5,500 chat messages in Brella and received a collective 3,000 meeting requests .
Across four prestigious London locations , this ambitious return to in-person events is a sign to the industry that despite the many obstacles , hybrid events are no longer in the future . They are here , they are happening , and they can be highly successful .