CEO of Olympia Events: “The world’s attention returns to London – Olympia is ready to welcome it | News
The presence of the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London and HRH The Prince of Wales at London Tech Week last week underlines the growing importance of the UK events and exhibitions industry and strengthens London’s position as a global destination for innovation, business and international collaboration, said Andy O’Sullivan, CEO of Olympia Events.
As Olympia enters the next phase of its £1.3 billion transformation, O’Sullivan said the high-profile turnout reflects the growing recognition of the role events and exhibitions play in driving economic growth, attracting international investment and showcasing British expertise on the world stage.
The comments come at a crucial time for Olympia, as the next phase of its transformation begins to open up to visitors. A number of new venues in the destination will welcome their first guests in the coming weeks, including the new restaurants and bars under Olympia’s Canopy and the British Airways ARC this week, followed by Hyatt Regency London Olympia next month.
These openings represent a significant milestone in the creation of one of Europe’s most ambitious event-led destinations and underline the long-term investment being made in London’s future.
Andy O’Sullivan, CEO of Olympia Events, said: “London Tech Week has demonstrated exactly why face-to-face events and exhibitions remain so important. They bring together innovators, investors, policymakers and business leaders in a way that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere.
“The presence of the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London and HRH The Prince of Wales sends a strong message about the importance of our sector and the role events and exhibitions play in supporting economic growth, innovation and international trade.
“At Olympia, we’re proud to provide the platform for many of these conversations. Whether it’s technology, the creative industries, entertainment, healthcare or business events, some of the world’s biggest ideas are increasingly being shared and shaped through live experiences.”
The comments come as London continues to attract major international events and exhibitions, investors and visitors, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s leading destinations for business, culture and innovation.
Olympia has played a central role in that story for more than 140 years and is now entering a new chapter as the transformation moves from vision to reality.
“People are starting to experience the broader vision for Olympia,” O’Sullivan continued.
“In addition to world-class events such as London Tech Week, visitors will soon be able to stay, dine, network and be entertained here as part of a fully integrated destination.
“This investment is a vote of confidence not just in Olympia, but in London and in the enduring power of bringing people together. Organizers increasingly want destinations that support the entire visitor experience, from arrival to accommodation, dining, networking and entertainment. That’s exactly what we’re creating.”
Over the past year, Olympia has welcomed a wide range of events and exhibitions across the technology, media, business, culture and consumer sectors, bringing together communities, industries and audiences from across the UK and around the world. The destination is also preparing to welcome a new generation of conferences, exhibitions and live entertainment experiences as further elements of the transformation come online.
The wider development will include new hospitality, entertainment and public spaces, alongside the upcoming International Convention Centre, new hotels, offices and cultural venues, creating a destination designed to welcome visitors all year round.
O’Sullivan believes the investment reflects growing confidence in both London and the wider events and exhibitions industry.
“We are seeing increasing demand from organizers who are looking for more than just a venue. They want destinations that can support every aspect of the visitor journey and create memorable experiences that go beyond the event itself.
“The scale of investment taking place across Olympia reflects our confidence in London and our confidence in the future of live events.
“The world’s attention is returning to London, and Olympia is ready to welcome it.”
The Olympia Events team will join the Legends Global team at The Meetings Show on June 24-25. Visit Stand D70 to see how Olympia’s exciting transformation into a fully integrated destination, alongside our new and improved spaces, is redefining what is possible for events in London.
