Our event space is functional, beautiful and able to accommodate a wide range of gatherings!
Innovation Works Commons
If wood floors, high ceilings, and exposed brick seem like a good backdrop for your event, then you've found your space! This incredible multipurpose space has a built in presentation room and doubles as a tenant lounge. Perfect for larger conferences, launch parties, fundraisers, almost anything!
Amenities
- Capacity: 108
- Flexible room layout: rearrange the furniture to meet your needs, just put it back when you're done
- Audio visual equipment: projectors, speakers and wireless mics available for rent
- 2 breakout rooms and the Canada Life Solutions Lab (at an additional cost)
- Wheelchair accessible
- Guest WiFi
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Friday, 8:30am - 12:30pm
COVID protocols
Effective January 3, 2023, masking is no longer mandatory at Innovation Works. Click here for complete details.
Please click the button below to review our complete booking policies.
EVENT SPACE RENTAL POLICIES
Thanks for your interest in booking your event at Innovation Works! We’re all about having fun while making a positive impact. We hope our space inspires you to do just that, but first, there are some important details you need to know, so please keep on reading!
Booking Time
Your booking must include set-up and tear-down time; if you use less or more time than originally agreed to, Innovation Works will bill accordingly.
Type of Event
Innovation Works is a social enterprise that connects people and sparks impact. We strive to support world-changing initiatives and reserve the right to determine whether an event is aligned with our values. Innovation Works event space is not suitable for all occasions. Please provide a complete event description on your intake form so we can make sure we’re the right fit for you.
If there are major changes to the nature of your event and you don’t let us know, we may have to charge you additional administrative fees. We’d rather that doesn’t happen so keep us in the loop.
Note: Absolutely no drugs, smoking or illegal activities allowed within the building or surrounding property.
Community DIY Culture
The Innovation Works Commons is a DIY space: this means that you can set up the room any way you’d like it. Almost all of the furniture in the space can easily be moved, all that we ask is that you leave it like you found it! We will provide a floor plan for you to make sure you know where everything goes. We strongly recommend bringing your own volunteers or staff to help you.
Booking Requirements
Please allow at least 15 business days in advance for all bookings in the Commons.
We require seven (7) business days to cancel your booking without any financial consequence, otherwise the full amount of the booking will be charged. Please click the button below to review our complete booking policies.
Fees and Invoicing
To reserve our event space, a 50% deposit of the total amount and a signed contract is required. You will be sent an e-invoice via our online accounting system. If we don't receive your deposit within seven business (7) days of receiving a contract, we will release your event date.
The remaining balance will be payable 24 hours prior to your event. All fees are subject to HST. E-invoices can be paid either by cheque or electronic fund transfer (EFT).
Additional Fees
We assess our rented space after each event, and reserve the right to recover additional charges as much as $200 or corresponding to the level of damage:
1. If there are damages to Innovation Works’ furniture, equipment, or the Sidetrack Cafe area.
2. If the space is left substantially unclean, or the furniture is not left in the correct layout, and requires Innovation Works staff to do additional cleaning or reconfiguring
If the Renter fails to pay the fees associated with this event, she/he will lose the ability to rent with Innovation Works (see below).
Innovation Works reserves the right to charge additional amounts if it is decided the event has negatively impacted our regular business operations.
You could lose the ability to rent Innovation Works event space if:
1. There are any valid complaints from more than 1 of our Innovation Works co-tenant members
2. There are noise complaints from our neighbours in the physical area surrounding 201 King Street
3. You fail to pay the fees associated with your event once you’ve received the official invoice
Innovation Works Staff
Unless otherwise determined in advance, an Innovation Works staff member will be onsite at the beginning of your event to set up your audiovisual equipment and answer any questions you may have. If you require support for the duration of your event, a staff member can be hired at an additional charge of $35/hour as event support, and to help with set-up and tear-down. This fee will be part of your invoice.
The Innovation Works Staff will be responsible for conducting several event checks, enforcing policies, and ensuring the safety of the event space. The events’ staff’s main responsibility is to provide oversight on behalf of Innovation Works and ensure our audiovisual equipment is working correctly, if you have elected to use it. The events staff will not provide cleaning or reception duties.
If your and/or your guests are not behaving according to our policies, we may have to shut off the power and ask your guests to leave. If we do, we will always:
1. Give the event organizer a warning that policy is not being followed
2. If the problem continues, you will be notified that the power will get shut off and your guests will be asked to leave
3. If step 2 is not taken seriously, the power is shut off
4. If action is not taken by the time step 3 happens, the police will be called, no exceptions
General Liability Insurance
We encourage all of our renters to get third-party general liability insurance for $1 million to ensure that you or your organization is covered of any unforeseen circumstances. If there will be alcohol served at your event, we will require you to provide Innovation Works staff with a copy of your $1 million general liability insurance policy prior to your event date. There may be certain circumstances in which insurance may be needed for events without alcohol, Innovation Works reserves the right to determine if general liability insurance is required for your event.
Right of Entry
Innovation Works is open to its co-tenant members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Co-tenant Members and Innovation Works have the right to access the space in a way that does not interfere with your event and your guests. You can’t refuse entry to co-tenant members who are passing through the space. We won’t get in the way.
Building Entry and Event Passes
Although Innovation Works is open to co-tenant members as noted above in Right of Entry, all entrances to Innovation Works are locked Monday-Thursday before 8:30 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m., Friday before 8:30 a.m. and after 12:30 p.m., and during the weekends. For events to be held after our opening hours, Innovation Works staff will either be present to let the renter into the building, or in the event that a staff member cannot be present for an after hours or weekend event, the renter will be provided with 1 (one) building pass to gain entry to the building. In this case, the renter will sign-out an event pass from an Innovation Works staff member prior to the event date. This event pass will be used to gain access to the space, but will not unlock the doors to the public.
The building doors will remain locked after hours and may not be propped open under any circumstances.The renter must be present at all times during the event space rental period and designate a volunteer to let guests into the building to ensure controlled access of Innovation Works and ensure only registered attendees enter the building for the event. The event pass must be returned to Innovation Works within 48 hours of event occurrence. If lost, broken, or stolen, the Renter will be charged a $50 fee to have the pass replaced.
Doors open events: In the event that you wish to host an open door event outside of our business hours, we require all renters to cover the cost of security guard(s) to be onsite for the duration of the event. (See Security section)
Security
For the safety of your guests and our co-tenant members, Innovation Works requires a security guard(s) to be present for all events outside of our operating hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) where the renter wishes the doors to be open to the public. Based on the details of each event, Innovation Works staff will make the appropriate security arrangements and the cost will be added to your total invoice. Security must be hired for a minimum of four hours at a cost of approximately $25 per guard per hour, the exact cost will be calculated based on the specifications of each event.
Noise and Loitering
You cannot use amplified noise during daytime events occurring on weekdays because our co-tenant members are trying to work. Music must be kept at a modest level, where regular conversation can be heard coherently. No amplified music or sound is allowed after 11:00 p.m. The events staff person will turn down or shut off music if needed. Guests attending the event shouldn’t loiter in any surrounding alleyways or in front of the building. You are responsible for the actions of your guests.
Innovation Works’ Zero Waste Policy: we strive to produce as little waste as possible. This means avoiding disposable items, especially bottled water, and using kitchenware and non-disposable platters as much as possible. For large events, biodegradable disposable items are a preferred option.
Alcohol Service
If you will be serving alcohol during your event, you will have to apply for a Special Occasions Permit (SOP) from the LCBO in advance of the event. A copy of the SOP must be supplied to Innovation Works in advance of the event and posted visibly on the wall during bar service on the date of the event. You must supply Innovation Works with the identification # of the Smart Serve Certified individual who will be responsible for the distribution and consumption of alcohol during the event.
It is a requirement to serve food during alcohol service in compliance by the policies outlined by the AGCO. We will not allow sale or distribution of alcohol if the above information is not provided in advance of the event.
Condition of Premises
Innovation Works provides the event space as-is, unless there is a written agreement between you and Innovation Works. You are expected to leave the space in the same or similar condition as when you entered. You will be responsible for any damage caused to the space beyond ordinary wear and tear.
Cancellations
If the Renter cancels the reservation for the event before seven (7) business days of the event date, Innovation Works will ensure you are not charged for the entire event fee. Deposits are non-refundable. If you don’t cancel within 7 business days of the event date, you will be charged the entire event fee.
Capacity
The capacity of the Innovation Works Commons is 80 seated, or 110 standing.
Innovation Works’ Sidetrack Cafe Property
Rental of Innovation Works event space does not include the use of Sidetrack Cafe's property. You may not use: the Sidetrack Cafe bar/countertop, the space behind it, the sink, the ice machine, dishes or any utensils or equipment.
External Items
All external rental items and equipment, and personal items belonging to you and/or your guests should be removed by the end of tear-down. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved by Innovation Works staff.
Decorations and Rentals
You are responsible for decoration set-up, teardown, and removal. Please use painter’s tape or sticky tack on our walls, not paint-peeling tape or thumbtacks! Major decorations (studio lights, ice machines, etc.) may require approval by Innovation Works staff.
Invitations and Printed Materials
Use of Innovation Works’ logo and/or any image reproduced of Innovation Works’ buildings is expressly prohibited unless prior written approval for use and reproduction has been obtained from an Innovation Works representative.
Utilities
Electrical power and outlets at Innovation Works are limited. Special electrical requirements such as sound systems and lights must be arranged in advance of the event.
Parking
Innovation Works does not have a public parking lot, but there is ample paid parking in the area surrounding our building. For current parking information, please see this page on our website.
If you have any questions regarding our policies, please drop us a line at events@innovationworkslondon.ca
Limitation of Liability
Innovation Works has taken every health and safety precaution possible to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Any indoor public space where people come together produces an increased risk of infection exposure. By being in a public space like Innovation Works you voluntarily assume all the risks related to infection exposure.