Excel London
Excel London waterfront expansion strengthens inbound pipeline from the US
Excel London
hen Excel London opened
W its new waterfront extension in July, the venue was able to claim to be the largest fully integrated conference and exhibition centre in Europe.
With a growing market demand for large events and conventions, especially from clients Stateside, the extra space is welcome and should help ensure this year’ s World Travel Market exhibition will be the largetst ever in the event’ s 45-year history.
Organisers and event planners have known that the extra 25,000sqm of space have been in the pipeline for a while and have booked in 10 major international congresses for 2026 already, vene management reports.
James Rees, Excel London’ s executive director, is rightly proud of the historic rise of the capital’ s flagship venue and tells EW London has always been a world-class event destination, but in recent years has seen a burgeoning interest in paticular from Europe and North America. With concerns over travel friction following Brexit all but disappeared, London’ s universal appeal – culturally, connectivity and universal language to name a few – is again making the city a destination favourite for the events industry.
“ Organisers are choosing London because, as well as being an incredible destination with world-class transport links, it’ s also home to many of the leading professionals, institutions and corporations within key industries such as healthcare, tech and finance that are hosting their events here,” says Rees.“ This, together with our new facilities makes London an obvious choice.
“ North American companies, in particular, are proving a key driver for growth for London’ s event landscape and for Excel. US-based firms accounted for 37 % of rental revenue in 2024, rising to 58 % in 2025, with a similar figure predicted for 2026,” Rees adds.
The new scale of Excel offers even greater versatility, he says, with the venue able to simultaneously host very large events which utilise the
Excel’ s expansion delivers …
• 25,000sqm of new purpose-built event space which makes Excel London 125,000sqm in total and Europe’ s largest fully integrated conference and exhibition centre
• The £ 220m expansion was part of a wider £ 350m investment plan in Excel in facilities
• Named the Maritime Suite and Halls due to its proximity to London’ s historic Royal Docks, the new suite has up to 37 rooms including two 2,600-capacity ballrooms in its largest configuration. The total room capacities stand at 7,000. Meanwhile, the Maritime Halls( exhibition space) stands at 12,000sqm
• The expansion has rooms bathed in natural light thanks to floorto-ceiling windows and openair balconies offering views of London’ s skyline.
• Expansion has access to Excel’ s new waterfront entertainment district Immerse LDN
• The expansion has been built to leading BREEAM sustainability standards, together with 100 % renewable energy
• Rail connectivity includes the dedicated Elizabeth line station and DLR.
hall space, auditorium and meeting rooms and have their own dedicated entrance, through to smaller conference set ups – all at the same time.
Rees highlights the 5G and Wi-Fi infrastructure, F & B and 13 on-site hotel offerings, upgraded digital signage and a new afterhours waterfront entertainment area all serving the delegate experience.
“ Our expansion is a historic moment, not just for Excel in its 25th anniversary year, but for the entire city of London. It also marks an important step in Excel’ s long-term mission‘ To be the best event destination in the world’.” EW
70 Issue 5 2025 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk