The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has announced that Church House Westminster, the multi-purpose events venue located in secluded Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London, has joined the association.

Queen Mary laid the foundation stone for Church House Westminster in June 1937, and the Grade II listed building, designed by Sir Herbert Baker,  has found itself at the focus of world events more than once, including housing sessions of Parliament during the Blitz and the scene of the first UN Security Council meeting in 1946.

The current venue hosts hybrid conferences, association awards, charity fundraising events, receptions and corporate parties in its versatile 19 event spaces. The largest event space, the magnificent, circular Assembly Hall, features a striking 30-foot glass dome ceiling as the room’s architectural focal point.

The four largest rooms combined offer 1,100sqm  of flexible exhibition space as well as plenty of breakout rooms to accommodate smaller workshops and demonstration areas

Marina Papadopoulou, head of business development, Church House Westminster, said: “Joining the AEV at this time is integral to how we intend to meet challenges like sustainability, recruitment, and diversity and inclusion – through collaboration and knowledge sharing. We know events are essential to the economy and our local communities, so how we navigate into the future needs careful consideration. AEV membership will unlock avenues for valuable collaboration on these and other issues with our industry peers, and the opportunity to contribute to and learn from our fellow members.”

“We are all looking forward to meeting and networking with like-minded peers and venues, agreeing on best practice principles for the industry, inspiring other smaller venues to new ways of working and increasing awareness of the importance of our industry in order to attract the best talent.”

Alden Arnold, project manager, AEV, added: “I’m thrilled that Church House Westminster has joined the AEV. The team members at this notable venue have unique perspectives stemming from its location and place in history, and the knowledge and experience they embody will be welcomed by the whole association.”