Companies in London looking for the perfect venue for their corporate hospitality event consistently seem to overlook the one genuine asset the city has – the River Thames. The River Thames has something for everyone. If you enjoy peace and natural beauty, then the gentle and remote stretches of the Upper Thames from its source through Lechlade to Eynsford delights with tranquillity and beauty before it flows into Oxford. From Oxford downstream the Thames meanders its way through beautiful countryside passing great castles and royal palaces at Windsor and Hampton Court. Downstream of Teddington (which literally means Tide-end-town) the River Thames changes its rhythm and although still 60 miles from Southend and the North Sea, the Thames becomes tidal.

In Central London every stretch of the river has a tale to tell with iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and London Bridge. Past the Tower of London and Tower Bridge the river widens as it sweeps down to Greenwich steeped in maritime history and past O2 Dome before finally reaching the Thames Barrier and the open the sea. This historic highway offers hundreds of venues for the perfect corporate hospitality event in London.

Whether an intimate gathering aboard a Thames sailing barge with Tower Bridge opening for you, a staff get-together on an elegant river cruiser, or a gala dinner aboard a large paddle steamer, the river and its sights is a fantastic venue for floating festivity. For larger conferences and hospitality or launch events that may require more up to date presentation and A-V facilities, the river can still be a part of a unique package by using ExCel, London’s state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centre in Docklands. With the exhibition hall located right on the Royal Victoria Dock, ships and boats can be moored at the quayside for groups of 10 to as many as 200 people. Boats can be chartered to cruise from ExCel up the Thames into central London.

The water is a great leveller.In fact, even a river cruise is also quite a challenge!In these days of making marketing budgets work harder, faster and leaner the drive is always to find something memorable and effective within an increasingly restricted budget.  Whether it’s for client hospitality or team building and motivational purposes, finding something that genuinely is new and ticks all those boxes is getting more difficult.A day out on a tall ship or cruising the river Thames is certainly an experience to remember.  It’s great for corporate incentives, team building, hospitality, product launches, entertaining or management training and provides a rewarding and motivating experience for all.
Teamwork in particular is enhanced by learning to think and act together as a single crew.But it doesn’t have to be as business focused as all that.Events on board ship can also be the ideal way to arrange a staff party, wedding anniversary, VIP Dinner – virtually any occasion you care to mention can be given an extra dimension on water.
From time to time some of the world’s most beautiful ships visit the UK’s south coast and these can be chartered for sailing days and corporate incentives.Sailing with up to 100 guests on board, the day can be as active or as casual as you like.If it’s to entertain, then a relaxed sail with gin and tonics all the way will probably fit the bill.If you are looking for more adventure and activity there’s nothing better than mucking in with the crew and learning how to sail the ship.
Or if that’s not branded enough, organise your very own yacht sailing day or mini-regatta in the South of France.  The kudos of having your own company mini-regatta in the Med racing super sailing yachts in the tranquil surroundings of a gorgeous island in the South of France, or from the chic coastal city of Nice really can’t be topped.A bespoke regatta gives the rare opportunity to take part in fleet racing and experience the real satisfaction that comes from being a well oiled machine (well at least while the bar is still open!).