Excel London

The Exhibition Centre London, commonly referred to as just the ExCeL, is an exhibition and international convention complex in the east of the capital. Nestled right between London City Airport and Canary Wharf, it is an immense structure taking up an amazing 100-acre site on the northern quay of the Royal Victoria Dock. Opened in November 2000, the centre was curated and constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine and expanded substantially in 2010 with the addition of the International Convention Centre London (ICC London) and further event facilities.

Over the years, the complex’s unique dockside position has allowed for a number of unusual events to take place, most notably the 2005 London Boat Show, which was visited by HMS Sutherland. Talk about special guest. The exhibition is a metropolis in itself with nearly 500,000 square feet of exhibition hall, six hotels, over 30 bars and restaurants and 3,700 parking spaces on site. As for events, the ExCel has seen it all, from the London International Music Show to Star Wars Celebration Europe and from London Marathon registration to the Global Peace and Unity Event. It was also the venue for the 2009 G-20 London Summit.