Press room

The Barbican will use IMEX America to showcase a year of momentum across association and corporate events, creative use of alternative spaces, and alignment with the City of London Corporation’s drive to revitalise the Square Mile.

From whole venue conferences to intimate gatherings, the Barbican is highlighting recent wins and new ways clients are using the Centre.  Creative re-use of spaces will be a core part of the Barbican’s conversations at IMEX America. Recent examples range from runway shows in the Sculpture Court, the Curve and Car Park 5, to film premieres on the Lakeside, alongside major brand shoots for Yves Saint Laurent, Adidas and Amazon. 

Charlie Smith, deputy head of sales at the Barbican Centre said: “We are meeting buyers at IMEX America with a simple offer: creative formats across an inspiring campus, delivered by a team that knows how to make complex events feel effortless. Every commercial event here supports our arts and learning programme, so the value is cultural as well as commercial.”

A high-profile example of recent success at the Barbican was the World Design Congress in September 2025, a two-day gathering exploring how design can accelerate climate and nature action, with headline contributors and a strong Design for Planet focus. The Barbican and the Design Council collaborated on planet positive event design, applying the Design Value Framework to measure decisions and legacy.

The Barbican will also update buyers on the City Corporation’s £191million investment in Phase One of Barbican Renewal, a five-year programme that will improve accessibility, sustainability and functionality, while preserving the iconic Grade II listed architecture. The programme supports Destination City and will enhance facilities for conferences and events across foyers, lakeside and the conservatory.

Operationally, the venue continues to post strong results. In 2024 and 2025 the Barbican delivered hundreds of events and welcomed more than 200,000 attendees, with commercial income reinvested into arts and learning. 

Finally, this year, culinary partner Searcys has marked thirty-five years at the Barbican with a renewed contract and a track record of high impact delivery, including more than 600 events for 150,000 guests in the past year. The partnership’s Second Nature strategy advances inclusive practice and measurable progress toward net zero.