Olympia Events CEO: "The world's attention is returning to London - and Olympia is ready to welcome it"

The presence of the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London and HRH The Prince of Wales at London Tech Week last week highlights the growing importance of the UK's events and exhibition industry and reinforces London's position as a global destination for innovation, business and international collaboration, according to Olympia Events’ CEO Andy O'Sullivan.

Speaking as Olympia enters the next phase of its £1.3 billion transformation, O'Sullivan said the high-profile attendance 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 pivotal moment for Olympia as the next phase of its transformation begins to open to visitors. Over the coming weeks, a number of new venues across the destination will welcome their first guests, including the new restaurants and bars beneath Olympia's Canopy and the British Airways ARC this week, followed by Hyatt Regency London Olympia next month.

These openings represent an important 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 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."

The comments come as London remains Europe's leading destination for technology companies, innovation and investment, combining scale with global reach. In 2026 alone (up to May), it attracted $12.6bn in tech investment - the third highest of any city globally and the highest in Europe.

As London continues to attract major international events and exhibitions, investors and visitors, Olympia enters a new chapter as its transformation moves from vision to reality, building on a 140-year legacy of hosting some of the capital’s most iconic events.

"People are beginning to experience the wider vision for Olympia," continued O'Sullivan.

"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."

Over the past year, Olympia has welcomed a diverse range of events and exhibitions spanning 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 includes new hospitality, entertainment and public spaces, alongside the forthcoming International Convention Centre, new hotels, offices and cultural venues, creating a destination designed to welcome visitors throughout the year.

O'Sullivan believes the investment reflects growing confidence in both London and the wider event and exhibition industry.

"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."