SITS Insight 2026, the UK's leading IT service management exhibition, takes place on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 May at ExCeL London. The event brings together CIOs, IT directors, service desk managers, and technology decision-makers for two intensive days of presentations, vendor meetings, and networking. For organisations sending senior IT leadership or hosting client delegations, the transport logistics around ExCeL require planning that matches the precision expected from ITSM professionals.
This guide covers the practical chauffeur logistics for SITS Insight 2026: how to get executives to ExCeL efficiently, where to drop off and collect, how to manage the two-day schedule, and how to integrate hotel transfers and evening networking into a single managed itinerary.
ExCeL London: Venue Access for SITS Insight
ExCeL London spans over 100,000 square metres along the Royal Victoria Dock in east London. The venue's scale means that knowing which entrance to use and which approach route to take can save 15-20 minutes on arrival -- a significant margin when your CIO has a 09:30 keynote to attend.
Western Gateway Entrance
The Western Gateway is ExCeL's primary entrance and the default drop-off point for most chauffeur services. Vehicle access is from Western Gateway road, which connects to the A1020 (Royal Albert Way). During SITS Insight, expect moderate congestion at this point between 08:15 and 09:15 as delegates arrive for the morning sessions. Your chauffeur should aim to complete the drop-off before 08:30 or after 09:15 to avoid the peak queue.
Eastern Entrance via Custom House
If SITS Insight is allocated to halls in the eastern section of ExCeL (which varies by year), the Custom House approach via Seagull Lane offers a less congested alternative. This entrance is adjacent to Custom House DLR station and provides direct access to the eastern halls without walking through the full length of the venue.
Drop-Off and Collection Protocol
ExCeL operates a strict set-down only policy at its main entrances during events. The procedure for corporate chauffeur drop-offs is:
- Approach via Western Gateway or Custom House route.
- Use the dedicated set-down area immediately outside the entrance.
- Passenger exits with laptop bag and any materials needed for the day.
- Chauffeur departs within 2-3 minutes to avoid blocking the set-down area.
- Chauffeur relocates to a holding position until the scheduled pickup time.
For collection, pre-agree a specific meeting point. The most reliable approach is to use the same entrance used for drop-off. The passenger sends a WhatsApp message when they are 5 minutes from exiting, and the chauffeur positions the vehicle at the set-down area for a clean pickup.
Route Planning: Getting to ExCeL from Key London Locations
SITS Insight delegates typically travel from central London offices, hotels in the City or Canary Wharf, or directly from airports. Each origin has different routing considerations:
From the City of London (Old Broad Street, Moorgate, Liverpool Street)
The City to ExCeL is a straightforward eastbound route via the A1261 (The Highway), continuing as Aspen Way past Canary Wharf, then connecting to the A1020 via Silvertown Way. Allow 20-28 minutes during morning peak. The main delay point is the junction where the A1261 passes the Limehouse Link tunnel -- congestion here adds 5-10 minutes on busy mornings.
From Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is the closest major business district to ExCeL. The route via Aspen Way and the A1020 takes 10-18 minutes depending on traffic. For delegates with offices in Canary Wharf, this proximity makes it feasible to attend morning meetings at the office before transferring to ExCeL for afternoon sessions.
From Mayfair and the West End
The cross-London route from Mayfair to ExCeL runs via Holborn (A40), then east through Whitechapel (A11) and the Commercial Road corridor to the A1261. Allow 40-55 minutes during morning peak. This is the longest regular corporate route to ExCeL and the one where buffer time matters most. An 09:00 session start means a 07:45-08:00 hotel departure from Mayfair.
From London City Airport
London City Airport is just 2 miles from ExCeL, making it the most convenient airport for SITS Insight delegates. The transfer via Hartmann Road and the A112 takes 8-15 minutes. For delegates arriving by air, we provide meet-and-greet at the arrivals exit with a direct transfer to ExCeL or their hotel.
| Origin |
Route |
Off-Peak |
Peak (08:00-09:30) |
| City of London |
A1261 → Aspen Way → A1020 |
15-20 min |
22-30 min |
| Canary Wharf |
Aspen Way → Silvertown Way → A1020 |
8-12 min |
12-18 min |
| Mayfair |
A40 → A11 → A1261 → A1020 |
30-38 min |
42-55 min |
| Shoreditch / Tech City |
A11 → A1261 → A1020 |
20-25 min |
28-38 min |
| London City Airport |
Hartmann Rd → A112 → A1020 |
8-10 min |
10-15 min |
| Heathrow Airport |
M4 → A4 → central or M25 → A13 |
55-65 min |
75-95 min |
Two-Day Event Management
SITS Insight runs over two days, and the most effective transport setup is a standing daily booking with the same chauffeur assigned to both days. Here is the typical daily structure:
Day 1 (Tuesday 13 May)
- 07:30-08:00 -- Hotel or office pickup: Chauffeur collects the delegate from their hotel or City office. WhatsApp confirmation sent 15 minutes before arrival.
- 08:30-08:45 -- ExCeL arrival: Drop-off at Western Gateway. Delegate proceeds to registration and badge collection.
- 08:50 -- Chauffeur relocates: Vehicle moves to holding position in the Canning Town or Silvertown area.
- 12:00-13:00 -- Midday collection (if needed): Some delegates leave for a client lunch or meeting. Chauffeur collects and returns.
- 17:00-17:30 -- Afternoon pickup: Collection from the agreed meeting point at ExCeL.
- 17:45-18:30 -- Evening transfer: Transfer to hotel, restaurant, or networking event.
Day 2 (Wednesday 14 May)
Day 2 follows the same pattern with refinements based on Day 1 experience. The chauffeur already knows the optimal drop-off position, the delegate's timing preferences, and any quirks of the route. This consistency is one of the key advantages of a managed chauffeur service over ad-hoc bookings.
Hotel Transfers for SITS Insight Delegates
IT leadership delegates attending SITS Insight typically stay in hotels across three zones:
- ExCeL-adjacent (Novotel ExCeL, Aloft ExCeL, Good Hotel London): Walking distance to the venue. Chauffeur transfer is optional but appreciated for early morning arrivals in inclement weather or for delegates carrying presentation equipment. Transfer time under 5 minutes.
- Canary Wharf (Marriott, Park Plaza, Hilton): A 10-18 minute transfer. This is the sweet spot for delegates who want proximity to ExCeL with access to better evening dining and a more established business hotel environment.
- City of London (Andaz Liverpool Street, The Ned, South Place Hotel): A 20-30 minute transfer during peak. Preferred by delegates who have other City meetings before or after SITS Insight.
- Mayfair / West End (The Connaught, The Langham, Ham Yard Hotel): A 40-55 minute transfer during peak. Day hire is strongly recommended for Mayfair stays to justify the longer commute with full flexibility.
Managing VIP Delegates and Speaker Logistics
If your organisation is sponsoring SITS Insight or providing keynote speakers, the transport requirements are more demanding than standard delegate transfers:
- Speakers need arrival certainty: A keynote at 09:30 means the speaker must be at the venue by 08:45 for AV checks and green room preparation. Build a 30-minute buffer into the transfer timing.
- VIP guests expect a seamless experience: From hotel lobby to venue entrance, there should be no friction. The chauffeur opens the door, handles luggage, and confirms the route while the guest settles in.
- Hosted client delegations need coordination: If you are bringing 4-6 clients to SITS Insight, a Mercedes V-Class or Jet Class provides a shared transfer that doubles as informal networking time during the journey.
- After-event hospitality: Many sponsors host dinner events after the exhibition day. The chauffeur transfers the group from ExCeL to the restaurant (typically in the City or Canary Wharf) and returns for the post-dinner hotel drop-off.
For ITSM leaders, the irony of a poorly managed transport experience is not lost. The same principles that drive IT service excellence -- reliability, defined processes, proactive communication -- apply to executive transport. A managed chauffeur service delivers exactly that.
Fleet Recommendations for SITS Insight
- Mercedes S-Class: The default choice for individual CIO or IT director transfers. Quiet cabin for pre-event calls, rear-seat comfort, and professional appearance at the ExCeL curbside.
- Mercedes V-Class: Best for groups of 3-6 delegates. Comfortable seating, luggage space for laptops and presentation materials, and a practical vehicle for the ExCeL set-down area.
- Range Rover LWB: For senior executives or hosted clients where the arrival impression is part of the hospitality experience.
- Jet Class (Mercedes Sprinter): For larger delegations of 7-12 people attending as a group. Executive seating with tables for pre-event briefings during the transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is ExCeL London from central London?
ExCeL London is approximately 8 miles east of central London. Transfer times range from 20-30 minutes from the City of London to 40-55 minutes from Mayfair during morning peak hours. The venue is well-served by the DLR but for senior delegates, a chauffeur transfer provides a more reliable and comfortable experience.
Can the chauffeur stay at ExCeL during the event?
On-site parking is available but fills quickly during major events and is expensive for full-day standby. The standard approach is for the chauffeur to relocate to a nearby holding position after drop-off. With day hire, the chauffeur is on standby and can return to ExCeL within 8-12 minutes when needed.
What is the best hotel location for SITS Insight delegates?
For pure convenience, the ExCeL-adjacent hotels (Novotel, Aloft) are closest. For a better evening experience and reasonable transfer times, Canary Wharf hotels offer the best balance. For delegates with other London meetings, City of London hotels provide flexibility with a 20-30 minute transfer to ExCeL.
Can you provide transport for a group of delegates?
Yes. For groups of 3-6, the Mercedes V-Class is the most popular choice. For larger groups of 7-12, the Jet Class (Mercedes Sprinter) provides executive group transport with comfortable seating and tables. We can also coordinate multiple vehicles for staggered arrivals.
How do I handle transport for speakers with strict arrival times?
For speakers, we build additional buffer time into the itinerary. A 09:30 keynote with an 08:45 venue arrival means departure from a Canary Wharf hotel at 08:15 or a Mayfair hotel at 07:30. The chauffeur confirms the pickup via WhatsApp and provides a live ETA update during the journey. We prioritise punctuality above all else for speaker transfers.
Do you offer corporate billing for multi-day event bookings?
Yes. All corporate bookings are invoiced monthly with a full breakdown by journey, date, and cost centre. We support PO numbers, NET payment terms, and consolidated invoicing for multi-day events. Your finance team receives a single invoice covering all SITS Insight transfers.
Book Executive Chauffeur Service for SITS Insight 2026
Klass Chauffeur provides corporate chauffeur services for ExCeL London events with DBS-checked chauffeurs, real-time WhatsApp communication, and a fleet of Mercedes S-Class, V-Class, Jet Class, and Range Rover LWB vehicles. Whether you need a single executive transfer or a two-day multi-delegate programme, we build the transport plan around your SITS Insight schedule.
From £70 per hour (minimum 4 hours) | £10m public liability insurance | TfL Operator Licence 01051801
Request corporate rates for SITS Insight 2026