Reflecting on a successful 2019 for Commercial Events

At Somerset House we have seen a significant increase in multi-day events for big brands during the first nine months of the 2019/2020 financial year, compared to the same period in 2018/2019.

Since April 2019, we have hosted major brands, including: Uniqlo, ASDA, Twitter, Wallpaper, Pixi Beauty, Homes & Gardens and Discovery; for large scale product launches, press events and public exhibitions. The Embankment Galleries and East Wing have been particularly popular spaces for staging these large events, due to their size and flexibility.

In total we have increased the number of multi-day commercial events held at the venue by 100% in the year to date, with more confirmed over the next three months, including the Crafts Council’s Collect: The International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design, which will open from 27 February – 1 March 2020.

Our success this year has been supported by repeat business from commercial exhibitions. They return to us at Somerset House year on year, due to strong personal relationships with the Commercial Events team and the venue’s ability to incorporate client events into its wider public cultural programme. These annual exhibitions include: Photo London, 1-54: Contemporary African Art Fair and Sony World Photography Awards. London Fashion week also continues as a strong source of revenue, with leading brands vying for use of our creative spaces to showcase their latest collections.

Despite a wealth of confirmed bookings for 2020, including a number of major events for big brands, we are focused on a desire to exceed this year’s success – this includes a focus on summer bookings; partnering with industry leading suppliers to provide a complete package; and developing even more links between our commercial and artistic offering, through the incorporation of the public programme into commercial events.

If you are looking to fill your 2020 events calendar then please do get in touch today via events@somersethouse.org.uk or 020 7845 4618. With 12 varied event spaces available for hire we are sure to have something that will fit your event brief.