London Weekend Break

Award ceremonies

As the capital city of England, London plays host to a massive number of events, both major and minor, and award ceremonies are one very good example.

These ceremonies often require large and lavish hotels, or conference suites with catering, overnight accommodation and even entertainment. For this reason a city with a prestigious reputation, a history and plenty of press and TV coverage is seen as essential. Top hotels and conference facilities compete over these events and there is a definite pecking order when it comes to both awards and the venues in which they are held.

Why London

In addition to London’s capital city status, it also has more venues than any other UK city and this gives it the ability to host any number of events simultaneously, or to host large ceremonies or much smaller ones.

Having an almost limitless supply of hotels means that providing accommodation for those attending an event is a straightforward task. The road, rail and air transportation networks to London also makes getting to and from the city comparatively simple.

When stages, or large areas capable of being used to provide displays, exhibits or performances are required, London always comes out on top. It is a city built for big events and it prides itself on consistently hosting the biggest spectacles that the UK has to offer.

The range of ceremonies

The list of award ceremonies that take place in London is almost limitless and, in a world where back slapping is given an ever increasing level of importance, new awards pop up almost every year. These days there is an award for just about everything and everybody and yes, there really is an award ceremony for those who organise award ceremonies.

When it comes to some of the larger and better known award ceremonies, the likes of the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) are top of the list and there are a number of other nationally recognised awards that have rotating venues of which London is one. Other venues can include the NEC in Birmingham and large event centres like those found in Sheffield and Liverpool. For UK wide awards, Glasgow is another notable city. Even so, it is London that still play host to the most prestigious of award ceremonies and there is no indication that this fact is about to change.

So are you likely to see an award ceremony during a London weekend break or a short trip to the city?

Well unless you get an invite your best chance is to watch it on TV. The big events are always invitation only and most of the smaller ones are for industry or association participants or members. The scope is however extensive and many years ago I went to the BDA (Brick Development Association) awards. These are awards for the designers, builder and suppliers of materials for building constructed of brick – and there are many more similar events that hold great importance in their respective industry.