Golfdriver, I remember that less-than-desirable London location, having had to trudge through the rain from some inconvenient tube station with my briefcase....
They use a site at Booker aerodrome now though.
The first FI seminar I attended was run by the 3rd organisation, which no longer trades. Some good briefs, one abysmal one and the syndicate exercises were fine - except that some shrinking violets wouldn't get involved. Whereas I gather that AOPA sets individual exercises to everyone in advance, but picks names out of the hat on the day?
Sitting in syndicate groups around a table rather than in 'lecture room' seating style - is that preferable?