Five ways Olympia is redefining the future of conferences and corporate events

For more than a century, Olympia has stood at the centre of London’s event landscape. Now, a major £1.3bn transformation is elevating it into a fully integrated destination that brings hospitality, entertainment and business together in one powerful ecosystem. At the heart of this reimagination is a brand-new, state-of-the-art International Convention Centre. Designed for modern business audiences and built to the highest production standards, the new Olympia is set to redefine how corporate conferences are delivered in London.

With its blend of heritage, innovation and unparalleled investment, Olympia offers organisers a venue that not only meets the needs of today’s conferences but anticipates tomorrow’s. If you’re looking for a place where your conference will stand out, perform and deliver high-impact results, here are five reasons why Olympia should be your first choice.

Here are five ways Olympia is redefining the future of conferences:

1. A venue that blends rich heritage with high performance

Olympia’s 140-year history provides a sense of heritage and confidence that few venues can match. The new International Convention Centre at Olympia honours the past while powering events of the future – combining its art deco heritage with new cutting-edge technology.

The restored 1929 façade frames a contemporary convention centre engineered for impact. Digital screens and customisable LED lighting allow organisers to create dynamic storytelling across the building, extending their brand identity seamlessly from arrival to auditorium. Premium AV, integrated production infrastructure and plug-and-play technology provide the confidence and simplicity corporate organisers need, reducing complexity and enabling a smooth, polished delivery from start to finish.

2. Interconnected event spaces crafted for versatility, scale and brand expression

Purpose-built for scalability, the ICC is directly connected to Olympia’s Heritage Halls, creating a seamless campus where corporate organisers can design multi-format brand experiences without compromising quality or flow.

The configuration has been thoughtfully considered to optimise scale and function while enhancing the delegate experience. The main auditorium seats over 800 and a second accommodates 400. Seven breakout rooms, a business lounge and 3,000 square metres of flexible event space allow events to be scaled up or down with ease. This interconnected footprint means organisers can create cohesive journeys across product showcases, leadership sessions, client meetings and experiential activations.

The venue also supports exclusivity when required. Spaces can be isolated for private launches, media interviews or VIP hospitality while still benefiting from the convenience of a dedicated entrance. The ICC offers both the flexibility to build large, immersive environments and the control expected by corporate brands.

3. A premium lounge for VIP networking and elevated hospitality

The ICC isn’t just about what happens during the day. Corporate audiences expect more from their conference experience – outside of the main programming – to connect informally, build relationships and engage in high value conversations. The Addison has been designed specifically to meet this need.

Located on Level 2 and the Level 2 Mezzanine of the ICC, The Addison provides an up-scale, premium environment for executive hosting, client entertainment, leadership meetings and VIP networking. It enables organisers to transition smoothly from structured content to high value hospitality, all within the same venue.

For delegates, it offers immediate access to elevated F&B and private networking spaces that enrich the overall event experience. For organisers, it increases dwell time and enhances the commercial and relational outcomes of the conference.

4. Onsite hotels and signature dining that transform the delegate experience – redefinding the future of conferences

A major milestone in Olympia’s redevelopment is the arrival of two onsite hotels and an extensive range of contemporary bars and restaurants. Together, these additions create a more convenient and more premium event journey for delegates, exhibitors and senior leaders.

The new onsite hotels operated by citizenM and Hyatt Regency sit on the doorstep of the new ICC. This makes multi-day attendance, busy agendas and late-night networking significantly easier, especially for international delegates or executive teams travelling on tight schedules. High-end hospitality options also ensure comfort and consistency throughout their stay.

Olympia’s new dining portfolio, operated by D3 Collective and Incipio, feature signature bars and one-of-a-kind restaurants, all bespoke to Olympia, giving organisers adaptable spaces ideal for breakfast briefings, press launches, client dinners or VIP receptions.

Incipio’s new concepts – Wolves of Tokyo, Bar Arriba, Lillie’s, Arbour and Juno – are designed to celebrate the best of global culture while offering a truly unique experience to visitors of Olympia.

Within Pillar Hall, one of Olympia’s oldest buildings, D3 Collective will be operating three distinct concepts. Idalia, a 300-cover, all-day restaurant; Pepperbird, a basement speakeasy with live music; and Upstairs at Pillar Hall, an event space turning into a restaurant and bar with live music at the weekend.

Together, they create an environment where hosting, networking and social experiences become a natural extension of the conference day.

5. Outstanding connectivity in the heart of West London

Accessibility remains one of Olympia’s strongest advantages. The venue sits at the centre of an extensive network of transport links that makes travel easy for local, national and international audiences.

Kensington (Olympia), the dedicated London Overground station, sits directly beside the venue. Multiple Underground lines are a short walk away and bus and road links provide excellent coverage across the capital. Olympia’s proximity to Heathrow, Europe’s largest international airport, ensures fast and convenient access for global teams, keynote speakers and senior stakeholders.

This level of connectivity supports higher attendance, smoother logistics and an overall stronger experience for delegates and organisers. It also reinforces London’s status as a global business hub and positions Olympia as one of the most accessible corporate venues in the city.

Find out more about the how the new ICC at Olympia can bring your conference vision to life. Email hello@olympia.london or call +44 (0)207 598 2788

Read more about Olympia in PA Life Winter 2025 Issue – also gracing the cover of the issue.