QEIICC sees international interest grow post-Olympics

The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC), which hosted the Italian Olympic House during the London 2012 Games, has reported a 56% increase in international event enquiries.

The venue hosted Casa Italia this summer
The venue hosted Casa Italia this summer

The London events venue says enquiries from international clients has risen in the period since 1 April 2012.

The figures cover the association and corporate sectors, for events to be held in the next five years.

Sue Etherington, commercial director of the QEIICC, said: "I have a reasonably good feeling about the future. I think the Olympic focus on London has drawn more interest from corporates, whilst London & Partner’s more joined-up approach has helped increase interest from associations."

She added that event organisers in the US, which is the venue’s main international market, have begun to take more interest in visiting London.

"[The US market] had been depressed in the past two to three years and delegates haven’t been going overseas for meetings," Etherington said, "but we have now noticed that they have started to enquire again. The challenge now is to convert them to solid business for both the centre and for London."

QEIICC was the venue for Casa Italia this summer, the Italian Olympic house. It was partially open to the public and visitors could explore an exhibition of Italian companies including Emporio Armani, Fiat and Kinder.

Has the Olympics boosted the international events business in London? Comment below and let us know what you think.

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