Concerns over traffic congestion, crowd control and security in 2012 has prompted the Mayor of London’s office to launch a licensing system for every event or meeting taking place in London that attracts over 500 people, the HBAA has reminded its members.
Corporates, agents and venues organising or hosting annually occurring events or one-off initiatives in 2012 that involve 500 delegates will need to be logged with the respective local London borough. Details of such events must be supplied to the borough by 31 March 2011 to help London’s public services to plan for the busy period.
Peter Ducker, executive director, HBAA said: “We are keen to ensure that our membership are fully conversant with 2012’s licensing system and the imminent deadlines. It is also key that the industry is aware of the measures and the impacts these will have in agencies and venues with facilities that can host more than 500 guests.
“By providing as much information as early as possible, agents and venues will ensure that they fulfill the legal obligations and that public services; fire, police, ambulances, transport and health are staffed to reflect the influx of visitors into the capital.”
The HBAA is an association of the UK’s leading venue finding agencies whose buying power exceeds £2.3billion per annum. The premise of the association is to drive best practice in the procurement of accommodation and venues for conferences, training, meetings and events.
