Excel London London has officially become “the destination of choice in Europe for the US convention and congress sector”, according to new data released by ExCeL London.
Unveiled during IMEX America, the leading global meetings and events trade show, the figures reveal that 60% of ExCeL’s convention and congress business now comes from US-based organisations.
Global giants such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Gartner are among the firms choosing London for major European gatherings, drawn by its connectivity, culture, and global accessibility.
The city’s new $340 million (£270 million) venue expansion – described as London’s “crown jewel” – has been key to this success. The project adds 270,000 square feet of new event space, bringing the total footprint to 1.3 million square feet, making ExCeL Europe’s largest fully integrated convention and exhibition centre.
“London is a world-class, tier-one city with a magnetic pull as an event destination,” said James Rees, Executive Director at ExCeL London. “Next year we are hosting 10 major international association congresses – the highest ever in a single year – generating upwards of $333 million for London’s business economy.”
Tracy Halliwell MBE, Director of Tourism, Conventions & Major Events at London & Partners, noted that “London’s inbound business tourism is booming, with visitors from the US once again leading the rankings at 3.7 million last year.”
The expansion reflects London’s commitment to sustainable growth, featuring 100% renewable energy use, low-carbon materials, and new landscaped public areas all built to the highest sustainability standards.