Nestled in the postcard-perfect surroundings of London's iconic West End, you'll find some of the city's grandest buildings, including the beautiful 41 Portland Place, which is a stand-out venue for impressing conference guests.
With several beautifully designed event spaces, including a unique roof terrace, the venue offers a perfect pedestal to stage your sessions. From its interesting history, to its in-house catering and hybrid offering, here's why 41 Portland Place is the perfect venue for your next conference!
Be part of history
Home to The Academy of Medical Sciences, with a history as a base for the United Nations, this venue has welcomed some of the 20th century's most revered names, including 70 Nobel Laureates - some awe-inspiring footsteps for your conference speakers to follow!
The building itself has stood since 1773, with ties to the American War of Independence through its first owner, military commander Thomas Gage, and survived the Blitz while other buildings on the street were destroyed. Fun fact: it wasn't always number 41; it's been renumbered several times as new houses have been built on Portland Place!
Host sleek sessions effortlessly
With a range of beautifully-presented, bright and airy event spaces to stage your sessions in, 41 Portland Place offers a really sophisticated setting for conferences, with The Wolfson Conference Suite featuring a separate exhibition area . The stunning Council Chamber, with its original artwork and huge windows, is also a particularly beautiful backdrop, and is sure to set your conference stage off on a strong note.
Hire Space hosted our 'Venue Talk' series in the Council Chamber in September 2022, and from the twinkling fairy lights to the stage set-up, the venue pulled out all the stops to make sure the event was a success. The venue's in-house team provides expert support and advice across the range of tech available, so you'll be in safe hands with an event at 41 Portland Place.
Take advantage of top-notch hybrid tech
41 Portland Place has invested in bringing the venue's hybrid offering up to seriously high standards, with in-house hybrid event delivery to make sure your event runs smoothly. And with good acoustics and plenty of natural light, the venue is an ideal location for live-streaming content, so even if a proportion of your guests or speakers can't attend in person, they'll be able to take part in the talks and networking, wherever they're tuning in from.
Make use of the venue's break-out spaces
The venue also plays host to some really lovely smaller spaces, which are ideal for separating out your attendees and staging more intimate breakouts, or parallel content sessions and workshops throughout the venue. With capacities ranging from 14 to 24 boardroom in sleek meeting space like the Curie Boardroom, or 40 cabaret-style in the Laurie Landeau room, there's space for all arrangements of panels and breakouts.
41 Portland Place also plays host to many product launches, and its bright rooms make an excellent backdrop for sponsor booths. Or, why not bring in some wellness activities to keep your guests feeling awake and rejuvenated - the venue would work perfectly for a unique experience like a chair-based yoga workshop, sound and gong bath, or aromatherapy session.
Enjoy delicious catering
Catering at 41 Portland Place is far from ordinary: with a focus on nutritional menus, featuring plenty of plant-based options, your guests will be treated to the tastiest nibbles and meals around - think ancient grains, Chilli dhal fritters, creamed shallot dressing, and charred peppers.
The venue can also supply delicious breakfasts and snacks, from energising truffles, to granola and healthy smoothies to keep attendees feeling refreshed and revitalised throughout your event.
Take the post-session socials to new levels
The sessions have wrapped up, and it's time to get your guests mingling! Luckily, 41 Portland Place has the ideal setting up its sleeve: a private, manicured Roof Terrace with space for socialising while soaking up the stunning surroundings of the venue's prestigious neighbourhood. Perfect for adding something a little different to the day, the unique roof terrace is guaranteed to stick in your guests' memories, and catering or barbecues can be provided in the open air, with a fantastic view of the West End to boot!
British weather looming large over your event plans? The terrace's adjoining space, the Ann Rylands Room, offers an equally lovely setting for networking, with ample natural daylight and space to serve drinks and nibbles for up to 40 guests. Need more space? The Council Chamber also provides a beautiful spot for post-session socialising.
After a prestigious spot for your conference? With a lovely layout, fascinating history, and superb location, 41 Portland Place is practically perfect! Get in touch today to enquire about hiring this list-topping venue for your event now.
Still looking? Check out our other top conference venue spots.
Author
Jessamy Cowie
Jessamy channels her passion for sustainability and cultural events into shining a spotlight on innovation and inspiration in the events world, and heading up Hire Space's sustainability committee.
