London ranks number one European meetings destination in Cvent Top Lists

The UK capital has come top in rankings compiled from venue-sourcing activity through the Cvent platform. Mike Fletcher looks at London’s venue and hotel developments and which other cities and hotels have proved popular with Cvent venue finders.

London has topped a list of the most sought-after European meeting destinations compiled from sourcing activity through the Cvent Supplier Network.

The UK capital beat-off competition from more than 12,500 other cities listed on one of the world’s largest databases of detailed venue information.

Sourcing activity was tracked between January and December 2022. Rankings were determined by criteria including the number of total room nights booked; the number of unique electronic RFPs (Request-for-Proposals) sent through the marketplace to venues within the city; the total value of the RFPs submitted; and the actual awarded value for meetings booked.

“We are truly excited to be the number one Cvent Top Meetings Destination,” says Fiona Plumpton, Head of London Convention Bureau Services. “London is a diverse and inclusive city and offers unrivalled choices when planning a meeting or event. London is also a global leader in technology and innovation. Utilising technology, which includes the Cvent platform, allows us to bring London directly to event planners and enables our team, and those of our partner hotels and venues, to quickly respond which helps us stay ahead of the competition.”

Upcoming hotel openings in the UK capital include a 185-room Raffles London, due to open at The OWO (Old War Office) this Summer, and the 190-room Peninsula London, which features a 450-capacity St George Ballroom and a private cinema for film screenings for up to 15 guests.

In addition to new hotel and venue openings, ExCeL London is entering the final stages of a £200 million, 25,000 sqm expansion programme, set to open in October 2024.

Next year will also see a £1 billion regeneration of Olympia get underway in the west of the capital.

A new entertainment district, due for completion in 2025 will feature two hotels, a 4,400-capacity live music venue, four exhibition halls with a capacity for 26,000 visitors, 100,000 sqft of restaurants and bars, and a 1,575-seat Performing Arts Theatre.

As part of its ‘Top Lists’ initiative, Cvent has also ranked those European hotels that generated business through its Supplier Network between January and December last year.

Barcelona’s W property came out on top, followed by the Madrid Marriott, Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, Meliá Castilla and the Hilton Prague.

Barcelona’s Hotel Arts took the sixth position, ahead of the Corinthia Lisbon in seventh, Hotel Vienna Park in eighth, InterContinental Athenaeum Athens in ninth, and Lisbon’s Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in tenth spot. 

The hotels were ranked according to various criteria, including total RFPs, awarded RFPs, total room nights, awarded room nights, major metropolitan area market share, conversion rate, and response rate.

Graham Pope, Cvent Vice President of International Sales says: “These Top Lists highlight hotels and destinations that have embraced technology to engage planners and enhance their sales and marketing efforts while exhibiting a deep desire to innovate and expand their meetings and events offerings to better attract MICE business from around the globe.”

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