Top 10 Reasons to meet in London, Ontario

There are literally hundreds of reasons to book your conference, meeting or convention in the Forest City - London, Ontario. These are just 10 of them.

1 UNBEATABLE MEETING SPACES

From the 70,000 square feet at RBC Place London, to Western University Conference Centre, to Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre, to the Residence and Conference Centre at Fanshawe College; the list of modern, comfortable, flexible spaces is too long to mention them all here. But rest assured, the perfect venue for your event is on it.

Photo: RBC Place London • London, Ontario

2 THERE’S PLENTY OF ROOMS

London boasts over 3,500 hotel rooms. All the major national chains are here, including Delta, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hilton and Best Western. Plus there are wonderful stand-alone properties like The Park Hotel, Hotel Metro, Idlewyld Inn and Spa and Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre. Even University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College have rooms and suites available for booking.

Photo: Four Points by Sheraton London • London, Ontario

3 PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

Getting here from where you are could not be easier. London International Airport is just 20 minutes from downtown and offers daily flights from major Canadian cities plus seasonal charters. The Via Rail train station is downtown and just a 10-minute walk from hotels and RBC Place London. And for those who’d prefer to drive or travel by bus, London is just 2 hours from either Toronto or Detroit on superhighways 401, 402 or 403.

Photo: London International Airport • London, Ontario

4 CANADA’S FIRST UNESCO CITY OF MUSIC

This is an amazing honour, and even if you’re not a music-lover it speaks volumes about what makes London such an awesome place to visit. In 2021, London, Ontario was named Canada’s first UNESCO City of Music and joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This network promotes cooperation between cities that have identified creativity as a way to make positive social and economic change.

Photo: Folk Music Ontario Conference 2022 • London, Ontario

5 the food

According to a recent count, London is proud to feature at least 2,355 restaurants. So not only will you likely be able to get a table, you’re also likely to love what you’re served. And because we’re surrounded by agricultural land, farm-to-table is just how we roll here. Let’s hear it for fresh!

Photo: Abruzzi Restaurant • London, Ontario

6 NIGHTS AREN’T JUST FOR SLEEPING

Let’s face it, meetings can only last so long. And London offers more ways to fill those extra hours than you’ll be able to count. We didn’t become a UNESCO City of Music without having plenty of bars, clubs and concert halls where musicians of every genre can showcase their chops. Or there’s entertainment spaces like 100 Kellogg Lane, a former cereal factory that’s been transformed into an entertainment hub and includes Canada’s largest indoor adventure park.

Photo: London Music Hall • London, Ontario

7 WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN GREEN

Some of your people will likely want some quiet time to relax and process everything that was covered at your meeting. With over 490 parks, green spaces, sports fields, trails and natural areas, London offers your team unlimited opportunities for outdoor relaxation, a calming walk or run or a chance to explore nature. After all, we’re not called The Forest City for nothing.

Photo: Victoria Park • London, Ontario

8 GOOD SPORTS

For the sports fans in your group, London will feel like heaven. There’s plenty of opportunities for spectators and participants. A trip to Boler Mountain offers outdoor adventures in any season, from hiking, ziplining and mountain biking to skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
Or you can catch a hockey or basketball game at the 9,100-seat Budweiser Gardens, home to the OHL London Knights and the NBLC London Lightning.

Photo: London Knights at Budweiser Gardens • London, Ontario

9 FOR THE CULTURE VULTURES

You’ll need to book in advance but the historic Grand Theatre, dating from 1901, offers professional theatre on 2 separate stages. Or you can visit our Museum London, with its fascinating collection of art, cultural and historical objects. Or you might prefer the Museum of Archeology, with permanent exhibits illustrating life in Southwestern Ontario 13,000 years ago. And for art-lovers there’s Tap Creativity, Benz Gallery, Forest City Gallery, Jonathons and Gibson Gallery to name just a few of your options.

Photo: Museum London • London, Ontario

10 SHOP TILL YOU DROP

London’s downtown, including Richmond Row on Richmond Street between Oxford St. and York St., can be a wonderful way for your attendees to spend some of their free time. One-of-a-kind boutiques, delicious cafes and restaurants and unique local businesses make for an enjoyable treasure hunt. Or there’s Covent Garden Market, also in the busy downtown area. In operation 7 days a week since 1845, it’s a great spot to browse for arts and crafts or some take-home food products.

Photo: Covent Garden Market • London, Ontario