The CEO of Olympia Events has highlighted the growing importance of the UK events and exhibition sector as Olympia enters the next phase of its £1.3 billion transformation.
Andy O’Sullivan’s comments follow London Tech Week, which was attended by the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London and HRH The Prince of Wales. He said the high-profile participation reflected increasing recognition of the role events play in supporting economic growth, innovation, investment and international trade.
The remarks come as several new elements of Olympia’s redevelopment begin welcoming visitors. New restaurants and bars beneath Olympia’s Canopy, along with the British Airways ARC entertainment venue, are now opening, while Hyatt Regency London Olympia is scheduled to welcome guests next month.
According to Olympia, these developments represent a significant milestone in the creation of a new event-led destination that combines exhibitions, hospitality, entertainment and accommodation within a single location.
Andy O’Sullivan, CEO of Olympia Events, said: “London Tech Week 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 powerful 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, creative industries, entertainment, healthcare or business events, some of the world’s biggest ideas are increasingly being shared and shaped through live experiences.”
Olympia has hosted a wide range of events spanning technology, business, media, culture and consumer sectors during the past year and is preparing to welcome additional conferences, exhibitions and entertainment experiences as the redevelopment progresses.
The wider project includes new hospitality venues, entertainment spaces, hotels, offices, cultural attractions and a future International Convention Centre.
O’Sullivan added: “People are beginning to experience the wider vision for Olympia.
“Alongside 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.
“That investment is a vote of confidence not just in Olympia, but in London and in the enduring power of bringing people together. Organisers increasingly want destinations that support the entire visitor experience, from arrival through to accommodation, dining, networking and entertainment. That’s exactly what we’re creating.”
He concluded: “We’re seeing increasing demand from organisers looking for more than just a venue. They want destinations that can support every aspect of the visitor journey and create memorable experiences 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 latest openings form part of Olympia’s wider ambition to create a year-round destination for events, hospitality, entertainment and business activity in West London.
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