Exhibiting at ExCeL London
Everything you need to know about events at ExCeL London from our expert exhibition stand contractors
ExCel London – known more commonly as “The ExCeL” – is one of Europe’s premier exhibition and event venues.
Its enviable location in the heart of London’s historic Royal Docks makes it an extremely popular exhibition destination for event organisers, hosts, exhibitors, and visitors alike.
It’s also a brilliant venue from an exhibition stand contractor’s perspective. We attend events there almost every week, so we’re passing on everything you need to know so you can make the most of its fantastic space.
ExCeL London from an exhibition stand contractor perspective
The ExCeL has made a name for itself as one of the best exhibition centres in the world – and we’re inclined to agree.
It’s one of our favourite venues, not least because of its accessibility: from our HQ right next to the A1, we can be on-site within 90 minutes (which is a good job, as we install stands there almost every week!).
The key to exhibition success at The ExCeL is making sure your design doesn’t merge into the background of all the other trade stands. But luckily, we know exactly how to make sure your stand is unlike anything else on show (in a very good way).
About ExCeL London
When it comes to exhibition venues, The ExCeL is a behemoth!
Part of a huge regeneration program in London’s historic dock, it has a floor space of 100,000m² broken into two huge event halls. It also boasts a vast outdoor area, and an array of conference suites. Top tip: the central walkway (known as ‘The Boulevard’), which goes right down the middle of the venue, is 600m long. Make sure you wear comfy shoes!
The venue can hold up to 70,000 visitors at any time and welcomes over 4 million people annually. In fact, it attracts a whopping 25% of London’s inbound business tourists!
ExCel London has brilliant connections by road, rail, boat, air (it’s a stone’s throw from London City Airport), and even cable car – in fact, we reckon it’s the most well-connected and conveniently located exhibition venue in London.
It has three Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations, its own Elizabeth Line station, and numerous bus stops. Central London is only 15 minutes away by public transport, and 3000 car parking spaces are also available via the A13.
Accommodation and restaurants to suit all budgets are available quite literally right on The ExCeL’s doorstep – there are hotels within metres of both entrances.
If you fancy something totally different, try The Sunborn; a 10,000m² superyacht which is permanently moored outside the venue and has been converted into a luxury hotel.
Spoilt for choice with ExCeL London space options?
70,000
visitor capacity
4 Million
visitors annually
25%
London’s inbound business tourists come for ExCeL
Exhibition stands we build at ExCeL London
The ExCeL hosts some of the biggest exhibitions in Europe, so the stand options are almost limitless!
Just a word of warning from us: the usual stand height limit is 4m, although there are exceptions to the rule if you’re willing to negotiate the necessary paperwork. The absolute maximum height is 6m.
Here’s an insight into the kind of exhibition stands we build at the venue.
Scrocchirella, bespoke stand, HRC Excel
Bespoke (or ‘custom’) exhibition stands are designed especially for a specific event according to your exact business and brand requirements.
If you ask us, the perfect way to make the most of ExCel London’s vast space is with a bespoke double-deck exhibition stand (many companies like to use the top floor as a bar!).
Hexagon, modular stand, CTX Excel
The beauty of modular exhibition systems is their flexibility, and we’ve designed plenty of these which have stopped visitors in their tracks at The ExCeL.
They’re a great option for companies that aren’t quite ready to commit to buying their own stand or don’t have the storage facilities to keep one between events.
Stribbons, shell scheme stand, IFE London
Shell schemes are usually a very cost-effective way to exhibit.
But great value doesn’t mean you have to compromise on design! With the right approach, a shell scheme stand can be an incredibly flexible, visually effective, lead-generating investment – and it doesn’t have to break the bank.
This option is well worth considering, as booking floor space at ExCel London can be pricey.
Qualitops, space-only stand, IFE London
Space-only stands tend to have more central positions, which is a big advantage at a massive venue like The ExCeL.
They can sometimes be more cost-effective than selecting a pre-built shell scheme. Rather than paying for pre-built walls, flooring and fixtures you might not need, you only pay for the space – another way to maximise your event budget at an otherwise costly venue.
If you’re unsure which option best suits your budget, get in touch with our team. We’d be happy to help!
Expert insights from the Motive Exhibition team: pros and cons of the ExCeL London
It’s not hard to see why exhibitors and visitors alike flock to The ExCeL. It’s a very popular venue for several reasons!
Pro’s
It’s not hard to see why exhibitors and visitors alike flock to The ExCeL. It’s a very popular venue for several reasons!
- There’s 100,000m² of flexible space available, with the room (and height!) to be as creative as you like.
- Its transport links are pretty much unrivalled by any UK exhibition venue.
- There are 19 hotels either on-site or within a minute’s walk.
- It’s a logistical dream, with great access for bringing in vehicles and equipment for both build and breakdown.
- The extensive on-site support ranges from catering to rigging to audiovisual equipment maintenance.
- There’s an array of on-site restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and bars.
- Their waste removal teams are excellent and clean the venue and show floors after every show day.
- There is onsite parking for over 3,000 vehicles.
Cons
With ExCeL London being such a modern venue, there aren’t many cons, but there are a few things you’ll need to consider before booking a space at one of its many events.
- It is expensive to book space.
- Food and drink at the venue is expensive to buy.
- As it’s so popular, you’ll need to book early to avoid disappointment.
- There is lots of on-site parking, but it isn’t free, which will increase your costs.
- As the space is so large, you need to double-check access points to ensure you choose the correct point to bring in equipment. Otherwise, you could be in for quite a hike!
For a business outside of the UK looking to exhibit here, or a brand with an international client base, ExCeL London is perfect.
“We’ve worked with many companies that have chosen to exhibit here based on the strength of the venue’s accessibility for their team and, importantly, their visitors.”
Dave Hennessy, Director, Motive Exhibitions
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FAQs
Our company isn’t from the UK. Can you build a stand for us for an exhibition at ExCeL London?
Absolutely! We’ve built custom exhibition stands for companies from all over Europe that have attended events at The ExCeL.
If you’re bringing anything with you, we can also help you with the logistics of getting show kit in and out of the country.
How tall can my exhibition stand at ExCeL London be?
The regular stand size limit is 4m. Permission for exhibition stands above 4m will be granted at the organiser’s discretion, and the maximum build height for any stand is 6m.
If we work with you, can you take our supplies to ExCeL London?
Yes! You can ship your materials to us, and we will pack them up with the rest of your stand for transportation. If you’re travelling by train, the last thing you want to do is take a load of brochures, iPads and products with you, so we organise your exhibition booth logistics as part of a project price.
Or, save the space in your suitcase and hire iPads etc from us! You can hire furniture, AV equipment, and a wide range of props and stand accessories.
Is ExCeL London accessible for disabled visitors?
Yes – The ExCeL is fully accessible with step-free access from both the Custom House and Prince Regent DLR stations.
All public entrances have low-gradient ramps and an automatic door for wheelchair access. Once inside the venue, all floors are level, offering unobstructed access.
Can you park at ExCeL London?
Yes, 3000 parking spaces can be accessed via the A13. Top tip: Use the postcode E16 1FR for the entrance to the car park or what3words ///cheer.events.began
Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
