Marketforce never fail to deliver a great conference and this years Future of Utilities was no exception. Etc venues St Pauls is a great London conference venue and I always look forward to the bento box lunch (thanks EY)! Here's some of the conference highlights:
Slide of the day here. You can't beat multiple dancing Carltons!
In no particular order:
1. Grange St Pauls Hotel
A great hotel in the heart of The City, beautiful and modern roof terrace with stunning views.
2. Gibson hall
A very large, grand, classical banqueting hall in The City.
3. Tobacco Dock
A huge and impressive, converted and listed warehouse space.
4. Kensington Roof Gardens
Beautiful, stylish rooftop venue in Kensington.
5. Tower Bridge
Everyone knows the iconic landmark, but did you know they host events in the high level walkways? They also have a section of glass floor, so if you are brave enough you can stand on it and wave to the boat passengers passing below!
Looking across from one walkway to the other
The view from Tower Bridge
6. The Painted Hall Greenwich
The Painted Hall is part of The Old Royal Naval College, in Greenwich. It is absolutely astounding. Often referred to as "The Sistine Chapel of the UK" words cannot do it justice.
Apigee have partnered with Google Cloud on their "I love API's" world tour 2018. From Silicon Valley to London, New York and then Chicago. I was in London last week to shoot their conference in County Hall.
1. I love learning
I often find myself really appreciating interesting talks and debates. I have very broad interests and have enjoyed learning about science, tech, marketing, medicine, and politics as well as motivational talks by specialist speakers. We are living in exciting times, scienctific, technological social and political revolution abound, bringing forth a brand new world. Photographing conferences allows me to bear witness to these developments from the inside, which sometimes feels pretty special.
Amazing displays at The Hunterian Museum
A fascinating historical tour of Manchester Town Hall
2. I love meeting interesting people
Conferences are a great place to meet people who are passionately engaged in their subject. There's always a good buzz. Occasionally a special speaker or VIP guest also shows up.
Referee Pierluigi Collina, balloonist and adventurer Bertrand Piccard, with a robot.
The mighty Evander Holyfield
Football referee Pierluigi Collina
President of the Supreme Court Lord Neuberger
3. I get to go to some really interesting places
I have ended up in some great venues over the years in London and all over the UK. Some of the best places my conference photography has taken me include: The houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, The Hunterian Museum, The Crystal, The London Eye, The Churchill War Rooms, The Natural History Museum, The Painted Hall Greenwich, The Royal Pavillion Brighton, Manchester Town Hall, The Emirates Stadium. Attending conferences means I get to go to places I would not have done otherwise, often I might not even know they exist.
Manchester Town Hall
The events space at the top of Tower Bridge
The Hunterian Museum
The V&A
4. I get to participate in fun activities and see great shows
I get to meet some great entertainers, including magicians, musicians and theatrical displays and I always enjoy their shows.
5. I enjoy the shooting style
Each photographer has their own preferred style. Personally I enjoy documentary and location portraiture. Conference photography offers me this opportunity. I even end up shooting a bit of product, interiors, architecture, food, action at conferences.
6. I like the variety
Each conference is different and I never get bored. I am constantly encountering new people, places and subject matter.
7. 30 Euston Square
Modern, clean and smart in a great location.
8. The QE2 Centre
A huge, purpose built centre in the heart of Westminster.
9. The Royal Society
A classical, historic venue upgraded nicely.
10. The Excel Centre
A huge exhibition and conference space, which stages some impressive shows.
11. The Royal Society of Medicine
A nice modern conference space with a bright glass ceiling atrium.
12. The Crystal
State of the art architecture make this a truly unique building.
There is an amazing amount of top quality conference venues in London, offering a whole variety of styles and catering to a mixture of needs. From luxury classical hotels, to state of the art dedicated conference spaces, from corporate spaces to something quirky. Here is a break down (in no particular order) of my favourite spaces where I have shot conferences. There are so many in London I am going to post this in three parts.
1. The IET: The Institution of Engineering and Technology
A great venue on the Embankment. Beautifully merging the classical and modern. The roof terrace offers some of the best views in London.
2. Etc Venues County Hall
Inside the Iconic County Hall on the Southbank of the Thames. Plenty of space, nice modern facilities.
3. The Langham
Located on Regent Street, The Langham is classical, luxurious and stylish.
4. More London
Cutting edge architecture in a great location, offering amazing views of the City and Tower Bridge.
5. Etc Venues Bishopsgate
Beautiful lighting and clean crisp design in the middle of The City of London
6. The Landmark Hotel
Another classic hotel, this time in Marylebone. Extremely spacious, with a large glass roofed atrium.
