Inside the London Venue Awards Event Branding Project

The London Venue Awards sits firmly at the top of the events calendar for anyone connected to venues, hospitality, and live experiences. It is the kind of event where reputations matter, relationships run deep, and expectations are high from the moment guests arrive.

In 2019, the stakes were raised even further. GCN, the organisers behind the awards, made the decision to combine the London Venue Awards with the newly launched London Catering Awards. This created a single, high-profile celebration that brought together some of the most respected venues and catering professionals in central London. Many of the names in the room were long-standing partners, collaborators, and industry friends.

For us, this was not just another event delivery. We were attending as a full business, surrounded by peers whose work we admire. The pressure was real. The challenge was clear. How do you reimagine a space that has hosted countless events before and still make it feel fresh, exciting, and considered?

Understanding the Brief and the Space

One of the biggest challenges with awards ceremonies is familiarity. Venues that host industry events often become visually predictable, especially for guests who attend multiple ceremonies each year. The client’s brief was not about filling the space with branding for the sake of it. Instead, it was about elevating the environment, guiding guests through the venue, and making the event feel distinct from previous years.

This required careful planning. We needed to work with the architecture of the building rather than fight against it. We also needed solutions that were fast to install, safe for the venue, and removable without causing damage, as many central London venues operate under strict constraints.

First Impressions Start at the Entrance

As with any live event, the guest experience begins before anyone steps inside the main room. The entranceway became our first opportunity to set the tone.

We designed two distinct pillar face graphics that immediately signalled the importance of the event. These were supported by print and cut designs featuring text and hashtags, giving the branding a confident but clean presence. Pillars are often overlooked or treated as obstacles in venue layouts, but here they became anchors for the visual identity of the awards.

To build momentum as guests moved further into the venue, we introduced branded stair risers along the concrete steps. Stair branding has grown in popularity for good reason. It allows repeated messaging without overwhelming the space and creates a natural rhythm as people move upwards.

At the top of the stairs, guests were met with a printed fabric archway. This lightweight structure, supported by water bases, created a defined external-style entrance within the venue itself. Walking beneath the arch gave the arrival moment a sense of ceremony, which is exactly what an awards night deserves.

Branded Tabletops Without the Usual Compromises

Poser tables are a staple of awards evenings, but branding them can quickly become problematic. Vinyl wraps can be time-consuming, inconsistent, and often unsuitable for short-term use. For this event, the client wanted branded tabletops that felt intentional and high quality without introducing installation headaches.

Our solution was to use branded acrylic tabletops that we own and rent out for events. These sit directly on top of existing tables and instantly deliver a polished branded surface. Because they are reusable and available in multiple sizes, they provide flexibility for different layouts and future events.

This approach allowed the client to maintain a consistent visual language across the venue without risking damage to furniture or wasting materials. It is a practical solution born from real event experience rather than theory.

Pillar Wraps That Changed the Game

One of the standout elements of this project was the use of pillar wraps. Traditionally, wrapping pillars in busy venues has been difficult due to shape, size, and surface limitations. For this event, we introduced a rigid PVC material that wraps around the pillar and adheres to itself through pressure.

The result was a clean, secure installation that stayed in place throughout the event without fixings or adhesives touching the venue structure. Installation time was minimal, which is crucial when working within tight access windows. This product has since grown massively in popularity, largely because it solves a genuine problem faced by event organisers. It turns structural features into branding opportunities while remaining venue-friendly.

Creating a Stage Backdrop That Held Attention

At any awards ceremony, the stage backdrop is one of the most viewed elements of the entire event. It appears in photographs, videos, and live moments throughout the day. For the London Venue Awards, the backdrop needed to be bold, legible, and balanced.

We took great care in designing a backdrop that framed the stage without overpowering it. The branding needed to support presenters, winners, and sponsors while still reinforcing the identity of both awards ceremonies. This was not about adding more graphics. It was about understanding sightlines, lighting, and how the backdrop would appear from different angles across the room.

Flexible Branding with Clingz

Venues, especially listed buildings, often place strict restrictions on what can be applied to walls, mirrors, and surfaces. This is where Clingz became an invaluable part of the branding toolkit for this event. Clingz use static electricity rather than adhesive, allowing them to be placed on a wide range of surfaces and removed without leaving residue or damage. 

For the London Venue Awards, we used them across mirrors, wooden panels, and wall surfaces to extend branding into areas that would otherwise remain untouched. This approach also empowers clients. Because Clingz are simple to apply, they are ideal for quick updates or additions during an event without requiring specialist installers.

Installation, Timing, and Real-World Delivery

Behind every successful event is a delivery schedule that leaves no room for error. This project required coordination across multiple branding elements, all within limited access times and a live venue environment. Every product used was selected not only for its visual impact but also for its practicality. 

Lightweight materials, fast installation methods, and venue-safe solutions, supported by our professional Installation Services, allowed us to deliver the project efficiently without compromising quality. These considerations often go unseen by guests, but they are what separate smooth event execution from stressful delivery days.

The Atmosphere on the Night

Seeing the venue come together was genuinely rewarding. Familiar spaces took on a new energy, and guests engaged with the branding naturally as they moved through the event. Because so many attendees were industry professionals, the response mattered. 

The feedback we received throughout the evening confirmed that the effort put into rethinking the space had paid off. For us, it was also a chance to celebrate alongside colleagues and partners, which made the experience even more memorable.

Looking Ahead to Future London Venue Awards

The London Venue Awards 2019 reminded us how powerful considered event branding can be, especially in spaces that audiences think they already know. By focusing on entrances, movement, surfaces, and flexibility, it is possible to deliver something that feels fresh without unnecessary complexity. We left the event already looking forward to the next edition, excited to see familiar faces again and to explore new ways of pushing creative boundaries within real-world constraints. 

Events like this reinforce why we love what we do. They are not about individual products, but about how everything comes together to support an experience. If you want to see the full project, you can get our detailed London Venue Awards Project Gallery. We cannot wait to see what the future London Venue Awards bring and to continue working with the people who make this industry what it is.

Event Branding That Works With the Space

The London Venue Awards project perfectly captured what strong event branding is really about. Working with a familiar venue, tight schedules, and an audience made up of industry peers pushed us to think smarter, not louder. By focusing on flow, flexibility, and materials that respect the space, we were able to refresh the environment without overcomplicating the build. It is projects like this that remind us that successful event branding is never about one element on its own, but how every detail works together to shape the overall experience.

If you are planning an awards night, conference, or live event and want branding that works with your venue rather than against it, our event branding solutions are designed to do exactly that. From entrance features and stage backdrops to flexible, venue-safe graphics, Hyper Creative helps bring ideas to life in real event spaces. Browse our full range of Event Branding solutions and see how we can support your next event from concept through to delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions for London Venue Awards

How early should event branding be planned for awards ceremonies?

Event branding works best when it is considered early in the planning process. This allows layouts, access times, and venue restrictions to be factored in properly, avoiding rushed decisions or last-minute compromises closer to the event date.

Can event branding be adapted for venues with strict limitations?

Yes. Many awards venues have restrictions around fixings, surfaces, and installation methods. Using venue-safe materials and flexible solutions makes it possible to deliver strong branding without impacting the building or breaching venue guidelines.

How do you balance sponsor visibility without overwhelming the space?

The key is placement rather than volume. Strategic areas such as entrances, stage backdrops, and high-traffic zones allow sponsors to be visible while keeping the overall environment clean and considered.

Is event branding suitable for one-off or annual events?

Event branding can be designed for both. Some elements are created specifically for a single night, while others can be reused or adapted for future editions, making them practical for annual awards and recurring events.