London House to bring home Olympic business benefits

The London Development Agency (LDA) has set up London House in Beijing to use London's unique position as the next Olympic host city to drive international investment, and increase the number of overseas visitors and students.

During the Olympic Games, key corporate, political and sporting figures will attend a range of events designed to promote the best of what London has to offer across business, tourism, higher education and the creative industries.

Between 7 to 24 August, London House at Shi-Cha-Hai will be used as a venue for business seminars and networking opportunities. It will also house press conferences and media opportunities with key UK figures including Mayor Boris Johnson and Chair of London 2012 Sebastian Coe.

The LDA will support a number of events across a range of organisations during the Games. They include; a series of Think London business seminars and dinners with Samsung, Bank of China and Metcom; Film London showcasing London's expertise in post production; Visit London hosting an open day highlighting why London is a top tourist and cultural destination and Study London demonstrating the capital’s unrivalled student offer.

Events will culminate in a high profile Olympic Handover celebration on 24th August when London officially becomes the next Host City.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said:

"As the next Host City of the Olympic Games, London’s presence in Beijing is a fantastic opportunity for us to gain vital experience for the 2012 Games and will be a showcase to the rest of the world what London has to offer as a city. I look forward to going out to Beijing and doing my part to promote London as a destination in which to do business, visit and study in and, of course, to receiving the Olympic flag at the handover ceremony."

Harvey McGrath, Chair of LDA, said:

"London House is a unique opportunity to promote London’s diverse offer on a world stage as a place to visit, study, invest and do business. We want to maximise the benefits of the Olympics coming to London in 2012 by promoting inward investment and building on our global relationships in vital emerging markets such as China."

Key events at the London House include:

7th August Preview of London House
9th August Think London Dinner in association with Samsung
10th August Film London Showcase of Post production
13th August LDA Seminar on Investing in London’s infrastructure
14th August Think London Seminar with Metcom
16th -17th August London House “open day” showcase London as a tourist destination
18th August London Borough of Greenwich Seminar on investment
20th August LDA seminar on London as a science technology centre
20th August Study London London Alumni Club
20th August LDA Design for London seminar
21st August LDA Seminar on Olympic legacy
21st August LDA Reception on Olympic Legacy
22nd August LDA Reception on Events for London
22nd August UKTI Seminar on Creative Industry
23rd August Think London lunch with Bank of China
24th August Handover celebration

London House will offer services to UK and international media including:

• Access to key speakers for face to face interviews and telephone interviews for non Beijing based media
• Media facilities including wi-fi and interview space
• Filming and photo opportunities with key industry figures
• Indoor and outdoor backdrops for broadcast crews in the popular Hou Hai tourist area which backs onto the picturesque Hou Hai Lake
• LDA staff and interpreters on hand for assistance
• Information / access to spokespeople from the Mayor of London’s office, the London Development Agency, the British Government, London 2012, Film London, Think London, London Higher, Visit London, Visit Britain and others covering business and investment, tourism, film, education and culture
• Information on British competitors, attractions and daily event schedules
• Plasma screens showing the Games and a range of information and films about London
• Hospitality areas
• Up-to-date and first hand information about London 2012.

Internet access to filmed events

Free broadcast-standard video covering London House events will be available to journalists at: www.thenewsmarket.com/londonhouse
First-time users to the Newsmarket service will need to register. Anyone with any queries on the service should email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com.

More information

Journalists seeking further information or access to London House should register their interest with Hannah Pawlby or Toby Burnham – working on the LDA's behalf at Freud communications. Tel: 0044 7989304422 or 0044 7990555290 or email: firstname.lastname@freud.com

In order to secure access and membership of the house for corporate use contact Susi Golding on 020 7593 8317, email susigolding@lda.gov.uk or Louise Jones on 020 7593 8686, email louisejones@lda.gov.uk.

The House is located at:
Shi Cha Hai Club
No49 Di An Men West Street
Xi Cheng District
Beijing

Tube transport tips:

1. Take subway line 1 to "Tian'anmen West", then walk north to Shichahai Club (about 3.7km)
2. Take subway line 2 to "Guloudajie", then walk south to Shichahai Club (about 2km)
3. Take subway line 2 to "Dongsishitiao", then walk west to Shichahai Club (about 3.6km)
4. Take subway line 2 to "Chegongzhuang", then walk east to Shichahai Club (about 3km)
5. Take subway line 5 to "Zhangzizhonglu", then walk west to Shichahai Club (about 2.1km)
6. Starting from the "the Bird Nest," take subway line 8 south to "Xiongmaohuandao."
7. Take line 10 west to "Beituchengdonglu."
8. At "Beituchengdonglu" transfer to subway line 5 south, and take it to "Zhangzizhonglu." Then walk west to Shichahai Club (about 2.1km).

Notes to editors

• London House will have a media co-partnership with China’s leading online media and entertainment service portal Sina.com. The partnership will include a London House website on Sina.com with daily media updates and general media coverage.
• The London Development Agency is the Regional Development Agency responsible for the sustainable economic development of London.