Preview Tour: Hard hats on ahead of hat’s off reveals at Olympia

At the start of September, it was my personal privilege to have a hard hat tour of one of London’s most wonderful building projects, the £1.3 billion redevelopment of Olympia. Olympia is being reimagined and West London is set for the emergence of a multipurpose world facility for business, entertainment and leisure – all under one – well several – astonishing rooves.

I was accompanied on my tour by Gareth Lloyd, Business Development Director, and Lucy Woodward, Senior Communications Executive, Olympia Events.

Since having the tour, I have been trying to find a way to convey it. Walking about the 4 halls, convention centre, experiential zone, theatre (as per today’s news with British Airways), hotel and offices, restaurants and dining and even a gym.  It is clear that through 2026 and 2027 Olympia is going to emerge as an outstanding attraction, blending its established history with thoroughly modern event spaces.

What I expect to see, when the dust settles, is a hub where people can move seamlessly from being a business visitor to being a consumer in the same few hours if desired, making a multipurpose visit to the capital cost effective, engaging and fun.

That really suits experiential marketing where immersive engagement and awareness should be possible through multiple interactions, impressions and points of contact.

I was very happy to be ‘in’ at the start of this process and FMBE will pick up on the news of each development.

Whilst today was the first brand partnership news, news in October saw the appointment of Alex Lewis as Chief Operating Officer of Olympia Events, previously Director of Operations at Surrey County Cricket Club through a period of event growth at the Kia Oval.

The launch of a brand-new International Convention Centre and private members house in 2026 looks likely to be his opening focus, gearing that for a 2026 launch. The facility has event bookings from March.  (spec below)

Andy O’Sullivan, CEO at Olympia Events said:

“This appointment comes at a defining moment in Olympia’s transformation as we transition from a historic events venue into a world-class cultural and entertainment destination. Alex’s leadership will be central to how we evolve our operations, empower our teams, and deliver the exceptional standards and innovation that define Olympia’s next chapter.”

Olympia’s next Chapter is certainly one to watch – or indeed book ahead with – as through the next 15 months a series of curtains are set to be raised.

International Convention Centre – The space spec

• Fully connectable to Olympia’s four exhibition spaces

• Includes The Addison, Olympia’s new private members club, offering a more informal setting for networking.

Features:

• 7,000sqm of versatile space across 3 interconnected levels (including c.3000 sqm flexible space within Central Hall)

• 5,953sqm on Level 1

• 1,402sqm on Level 2

• 2 theatre-style auditoriums (400-800+ seat capacity)

• 7 breakout and seminar rooms

• 1 business lounge

• Fully customisable lighting

• Private hire bar/restaurant (The Addison)