What Happens at a Women in the City Lunch?

Women in the City pays meticulous attention to detail to ensure everything runs smoothly and to time.

A few days before the Lunch you’ll be emailed a Location Map with a reminder of the Lunch Format. If you have booked a table and have not given us the contact details of your guests, do please forward our email to them. It will help them enjoy the event right from the very start.

On arrival, you’ll be greeted by our team of student receptionists. The event gives these young women, many of whom aspire to a career in the City, a wonderful opportunity to experience this high-profile occasion.

You’ll be handed your name badge and Delegate List and be invited to leave personal items in a secure cloakroom. The number on your name badge is the table on which you are seated, but Table Plans are also on display.

The Women in the City Lunch celebrates City Tradition

On entering the Reception, the Beadle (the City’s name for the Master of Ceremonies) will ask you for your name and will announce you (in a very loud voice!) to Gwen Rhys, Roger Hacker and the Keynote Speaker after which you will join the other guests.

When the Beadle calls you in to Lunch, please don’t delay, but move to your table. DO NOT SIT DOWN but stand behind your chair. When everyone has entered the Hall, the Beadle will ask you to welcome the principal guests. You welcome them with a SLOW (very, very slow) handclap, but not applause. Later on during the Lunch, we toast The Queen, The City and Corporation of London.

Good Food and Wine

Naturally, your ticket includes the cost of all food, wine and soft drinks. We serve substantial canapés during the 90 minute Reception followed by a 2-course meal. Our menu is chosen with a woman’s palate in mind. Our wines are sourced by our wine sponsor, Women Inspired by Wine.

Time to network and win one of our 6 Lunch Prizes

There are many things that make the Women in the City Lunch special. One is our 90 minute Reception. We know that what women like to do most is connect with other like-minded women, so we give you plenty of time to mix and mingle.

Another is our Lunch Prizes. Quite separate from the Awards, all our guests have the opportunity to win these during the Reception. Remember, it’s the early bird who catches the worm, so it’s best not to arrive last minute.