UK Volume 21

uk.superbrands.com Superbrands UK Annual Vol.21 The home of inspirational events, Olympia London first opened its doors in 1886 . A London architectural, cultural and events landmark , it’s one of the capital’s busiest venues, annually welcoming over 1.6 million visitors to more than 200 events and contributing £1.2bn to the economy Market The events sector contributes £70bn to the UK economy – £11bn from exhibitions alone – and has been hit hard by the prolonged shutdown during the pandemic in 2020. As one of the key players in the industry, Olympia London is not only one of the most established venues in the UK, it is also one of the capital’s preferred events venues, thanks to its world-class offerings and location. It is only 25 minutes from Heathrow airport and reachable by various public transport connections in Kensington. Combining multiple spaces to form 45,000 sq ft, this iconic venue hosts more than 200 events a year, welcoming 1.6 million guests and annually contributing £1.2bn to the UK economy. Product Showcasing unrivalled heritage and architecture, Olympia London’s Victorian Grade II listed buildings offer clients more than event spaces. It comes with 134 years of expertise in running events in elegant surroundings to create an atmospheric experience. Its skilled events management and operational teams have built strong relationships with its clients so they can successfully deliver internationally renowned shows. From award-winning operations to marketing and sustainability; the results have been seen in increased footfall which had risen to 1.6 million annual guests in 2019. Achievements Known as ‘the home of inspirational events’, Olympia London first opened its doors in 1886. Established as one of London’s architectural, cultural and events landmarks, it is a prime choice for a wide range of exhibitions, conferences and live events. Holding a strong link to the capital’s history, it has survived two world wars and seismic political changes, whilst hosting centennial events such as the Ideal Home Show and the London International Horse Show. Olympia London’s elegant Victorian arches have also seen inspirational personalities such as Vivienne Westwood hold her first catwalk show as well as performances by Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd; and in 2019 it welcomed SKEPTA and a Burberry catwalk show. Over the years, the venue has been recognised with an array of accolades and in 2019 achieved Superbrand status for the third consecutive year. It was awarded Best Use of Social Media in the UK events industry as well as being recognised at the Gold Green Tourism Awards. A sustainability leader, the venue was also shortlisted at the Business Green Leaders Sustainability Awards and is among the top five global event businesses recognised in the Sustainable Development Awards, organised by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – the only events business recognised from the UK. Recent Developments In 2019, the venue was granted planning approval for a £1bn investment plan, set to transform and elevate Olympia London’s world-class offering into a destination for not just events, but also hospitality, creativity and entrepreneurship. This development plan is turning the 14-acre site into a cultural destination, conceptualised by the award-winning Heatherwick Studio and architects SPPARC. The transformation is expected to create 5,400 new jobs locally once it is completed and add an extra £9m per year in consumer spending to the Hammersmith and Fulham economy. Working closely with English Heritage to preserve the original architecture of the exhibition halls, the project will simultaneously bring new features to London, such as a 1,500-seat performing arts theatre; a 4,400-capacity music venue, two hotels and 600,000 sq ft of office and creative space. In addition, there will be 2.5 acres of new public All monarchs from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II have attended an event at Olympia London DID YOU KNOW?