Conference News Supplements London Supplement | Page 12

12
London
Beacon
of
inspiration
rinity House is the working
home of the General
Lighthouse Authority and the
Corporation of Trinity House and is a
Georgian building on Tower Hill with
marvellous views of the Tower of
London. The House safeguards and
displays numerous maritime treasures
and artefacts which have been collated
and gifted to the Corporation over two
centuries. The interiors are
characterised by tall ceilings and
south-facing sash windows and have the
feeling of a grand private residence from
a bygone era of gracious living.
There are many advantages to booking
a heritage building for a corporate event
– starting with the address itself. A
venue with an illustrious history and
pedigree is one with an interesting story
to tell – it’s a great conversation starter,
especially when delegates are unfamiliar
with each other. It creates
interest and intrigue
from the outset and
often promotes a higher
level of guest/delegate
attendance and
participation.
And when the venue
is one that is
normally
off-limits to the
public, it
establishes from
the outset the
exclusive nature of the
Edgar King, events manager
at Trinity House for over 23
years, says a venue’s history
can add more than you think
In its 200-year history, Trinity
House has welcomed royalty,
prime ministers and Lords of the
Admiralty and is today managed
by Deputy Master, Captain Ian
McNaught. Reflecting the on-going
patronage of the Crown, the
current Master of the Corporation
is HRH The Princess Royal, filling a
role held in former centuries by,
among others, the diarist Samuel
Pepys, the Duke of Wellington,
William Pitt the Younger and,
more recently,
The Duke of Edinburgh.
www.conference-news.co.uk
event and helps to build anticipation.
Traditional venues tend to offer clients
and their guests rare and privileged
access to, and viewing of,
museum-quality treasures – which at
Trinity House might be to ring the bell of
the Royal Yacht Britannia or the use of a
ceremonial sword (to pop a champagne
magnum cork, for instance). Crested
crockery, cutlery, glassware, menus,
napkins, leather chairs, presentation
silver (if available), all serve to impress
and engage guests - and validates the
judgement of the client, corporate
booker or meeting planner.
Entertainment is frequently an
important component of a successful
corporate event and an historic venue
lends itself more readily to the
engagement of performers designed
to impress, such as a marching band
or troupe of operatic performers, etc
– in an elaborate
setting, diversions
such as these are
enhanced
and more likely to
leave a lasting
impression. If the
objective is to
stage a
memorable
event, the
choice of a
heritage venue
can ensure it’s off
to the right start.