Exhibiting in London? We’ve Got You Covered.
Over 30 years building booths at every major London venue — ExCeL London, Olympia, Business Design Centre, and Alexandra Palace. Design, build, logistics and on-site support for US and international companies.
London’s Major Exhibition Venues
ExCeL London
Royal Victoria Dock, Docklands, East London
The capital’s largest exhibition venue, offering over 100,000 square metres of flexible event space.
- Accessible via Docklands Light Railway (DLR) with dedicated station
- Hosts Black Hat Europe, DSEI, World Travel Market, Data Centre World, Infosecurity Europe
- Loading via dock doors with dedicated service roads
- Standard UK 230V power supply
- Ceiling heights up to 13 metres in certain halls
- Structures over 4 metres tall require structural engineer sign-off
- 10 minutes from London City Airport by DLR
Olympia London
Hammersmith Road, Kensington, West London
A landmark exhibition venue in the heart of Kensington, recently undergoing a major multi-year renovation.
- Hosts International Confex and specialist B2B trade shows
- Grand Hall ceiling: 30 metres
- National Hall ceiling: approximately 12 metres
- Requires careful planning around heritage architecture
- Excellent public transit via Kensington Olympia Overground and tube station
- Surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and amenities
Business Design Centre
Upper Street, Islington, North London
London’s premier boutique exhibition venue, purpose-built for focused B2B events.
- Approximately 5,000 square metres of event space
- Bright, modern atrium-style hall
- Ideal for smaller, highly targeted exhibitions
- Short walk from Angel tube station (Northern Line)
- Supports custom and bespoke installations with full rigging and power infrastructure
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace Way, Muswell Hill, North London
Affectionately known as ‘Ally Pally’, an iconic Victorian venue with a unique mix of historic grandeur and modern event infrastructure.
- Great Hall and West Hall host diverse exhibitions and events
- Panoramic views across London
- Excellent parking facilities
- Own railway station (Alexandra Palace, Great Northern line from King’s Cross)
- Drive-in access for booth build teams
- Flexible power and rigging options
Practical Guide for International Exhibitors
Getting There
- Direct flights from major US cities land at London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW)
- London City Airport (LCY) is closest to ExCeL London — 10-minute DLR ride
- Elizabeth Line runs directly from Heathrow to the Docklands area in about one hour
- Budget 60 to 90 minutes for transfers from Heathrow or Gatwick to most venues
- Black cabs and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) are widely available
- Public transit is often faster and more reliable than cars
Where to Stay
- For ExCeL London: Canary Wharf (one DLR stop away) with Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental
- For Olympia London: Kensington and Earl’s Court areas within walking distance
- Book accommodation 8 to 12 weeks ahead for peak season (September–November). Hotels fill up quickly during major trade shows.
UK Power & AV
- UK standard: 230V / 50Hz power with Type G plugs (three-pronged British plug)
- US equipment rated at 120V / 60Hz requires voltage converters or local sourcing
- We recommend using UK-sourced AV equipment rather than shipping from the US
- All electrical connections, distribution boards, and mandatory PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) included
Regulations & Compliance
- Booth structures over 4 metres tall require structural engineer sign-off
- Health and safety documentation required: risk assessments and method statements
- Fire marshals inspect builds on site
- ESSA (Event Supplier and Services Association) accreditation required or preferred by most venues
- Expositionists handles all compliance requirements as an ESSA-accredited company
Shipping & Freight
Shipping booth materials from the US to London adds significant cost and customs complexity.
- UK import duties and VAT may apply to temporary imports
- ATA Carnet allows duty-free temporary import of goods for trade shows
- We recommend designing and building locally in the UK to eliminate shipping costs, customs delays, and material damage risk
- Our warehouse handles storage, build, and delivery to any London venue
Tipping & Culture
- Tipping is not expected at UK trade shows or for booth build contractors
- Service charges are sometimes included at restaurants (check the bill)
- Restaurant tip: 10 to 15 per cent appreciated
- Cab drivers appreciate rounding up
- UK business culture is slightly more formal initially but warms quickly
- Handshakes are standard; LinkedIn is increasingly used for contact exchange
Major London Trade Shows
| Trade Show | Venue | Month |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hat Europe | ExCeL London | December |
| DSEI | ExCeL London | September (biennial) |
| World Travel Market | ExCeL London | November |
| International Confex | Olympia London | February / March |
| Tech Show London | ExCeL London | March |
| Infosecurity Europe | ExCeL London | June |
| London Tech Week | Various venues | June |
| Data Centre World | ExCeL London | March |
London hosts hundreds of trade events across all industries each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Venue selection depends on scale and industry. ExCeL London suits large-scale technology, defense, and international trade shows with over 100,000 sqm. Olympia London works for mid-size specialist B2B events with a central West London location. Business Design Centre fits focused, boutique exhibitions where attendee quality is the priority. Expositionists has extensive experience at all venues and can advise on logistics, power requirements, and build regulations.
London City Airport is closest — a 10-minute DLR ride. From Heathrow, take the Elizabeth Line eastbound to Custom House, then the DLR (approximately one hour total). From Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria, the District Line to Canning Town, then the DLR. Most US carriers use Heathrow; we recommend booking accommodation in the Canary Wharf area (one DLR stop from ExCeL) where international hotel chains are widely available.
All UK venues operate on 230V / 50Hz power using Type G plugs (the three-pronged British plug), versus the US standard of 120V / 60Hz. Equipment from the US needs voltage converters. We recommend sourcing AV locally for screens, lighting, sound systems, and interactive displays. Booth builds include all electrical connections, distribution boards, and safety testing.
For standard modular/package booths, allow 6 to 8 weeks. For bespoke/custom designs over 30 square metres, 10 to 12 weeks lead time is needed for the design-approval-build cycle, including structural engineering sign-offs. Peak season (September–November) requires earlier booking as build schedules fill quickly.
Yes — structures over 4 metres tall require structural calculations prepared and signed off by a qualified structural engineer. Organiser approval is needed 4 to 6 weeks before the show. Health and safety documentation is also required: risk assessment and method statement. Some venues require ESSA accreditation. Expositionists handles structural engineering, H&S documentation, and organiser liaison on your behalf.
For ExCeL London, stay in Canary Wharf (one DLR stop) with Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental, Novotel, plus restaurants and bars. For Olympia London, the Kensington area is ideal with boutique to larger chain options on Cromwell Road. For Business Design Centre, Angel and King’s Cross offer value with short tube/walking access. We provide specific recommendations on booking.
Ready to Exhibit in London?
Whether it’s your first London trade show or your tenth, we make exhibiting in the UK simple. Design, build, logistics, and on-site support — all handled by one team.