EC Collective launches annual event

Leanne Bell, 30 September 2008

London venue consortium targets UK market with annual fam trip

London venue consortium the EC Collective is launching an annual fam trip to the City following the success of its recent event for UK-based planners.

The EC Collective, a group of conference centres, hotels and event venues located in the Square Mile - primarily within the EC postcode - held its inaugural Olympics-themed fam trip earlier this month.

Some 27 buyers from UK agencies including Zibrant, Trinity Conferences, Conference Line and Bespoke Venue Solutions attended the event, which took them to hotels and event venues on 19-20 September.

Barbican business development manager Helen Moon, who helped organise the trip, said it was so successful that the consortium had taken the decision to make it an annual event.

"Due to new venues and hotels interested in taking part in future events and with the success of this year's weekend, it makes absolute sense to hold this event every year, particularly with an Olympics theme," said Moon. "Some venues and hotels may also go through a refurbishment and with new venues and hotels opening all the time, particularly in the City, there is always something new to offer planners."

The EC Collective comprises the Barbican, The Brewery, Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, Etc Venues, America Square Conference Centre, The HAC, LSO St Lukes, Andaz, Apex City Hotel, the Hoxton Urban Lodge, and Malmaison. In addition to this, Swissotel The Howard, Guoman Tower, Tower Bridge, The Guildhall, and the Museum of London are among other venues that intend to join the collective in future.