Exhibiting at London Olympia
Everything you need to know about events at London Olympia from our expert exhibition stand contractors
London Olympia is one of Europe’s most recognisable and well-loved exhibition venues.
Sometimes shortened to “Olympia”, it’s a stunning and truly unique building, but its age means it has some special quirks that you need to work around (one of which is a slightly wonky floor!).
So, if you’re heading to the venue as an exhibitor, read through our top tips and industry insights so you know what to expect.
London Olympia from an exhibition stand contractor’s perspective
We have years of experience project managing exhibition stands at London Olympia. We’ve seen what works (and what really doesn’t), so we consider all the features of this unique venue in the designs we create.
If you’re exhibiting there and are thinking of building your stand yourself, our recommendation is not to! Stand-build logistics can be challenging (did we mention the dodgy floor?!), the site is undergoing a transformation programme, and construction access can be tricky. Plus, you also only get a small timeslot to unload all of your kit so you need to know exactly what you’re doing.
But we know how to take advantage of the venue’s many benefits and avoid its pitfalls. Whether you’re a large company wanting to make a statement or a smaller organisation that needs help standing out from the crowd, we have the experience and knowledge to help you make the most of this incredible venue.
About London Olympia
Exhibition space here spans 2 floors and 7 different event halls, the biggest of which is the 10,000m² Olympia Grand.
First opened in 1886, Olympia is known for its beautiful Victorian architecture and the fact that its main exhibition halls are bathed in natural sunlight through its arched glass roof.
Aside from the beautiful surroundings, we love this venue because it’s ideally located for visitors (and exhibition stand contractors!) who want to explore London when they’re not at the show. It has its own tube station, and several others are within walking distance.
There’s also an array of London’s finest hotels and restaurants accessible within minutes on the tube or by taxi (although admittedly, accommodation options are limited on foot – unless you’re happy with a long walk).
For those looking for a luxurious place to stay, London Olympia is just a 10-minute taxi ride from The Athenaeum Hotel, Lanesborough Hotel, or Raffles London.
Unsure if a London Olympia event suits your business objectives? We can help!
4,000–10,000
visitor capacity
1.6 Million
visitors annually
7
exhibition halls
Exhibition stands we build at London Olympia
London Olympia is a versatile venue ideal for almost every stand type, but it requires an expert’s eye to work around the uneven surfaces and navigate the limited access options before and after the event.
As with many venues, there are height restrictions: the maximum build height for stands is 2.4m. But, at the organiser’s discretion and where the hall ceiling height allows, exhibition stands can be built to a maximum of 4m in height. If this is an option you’d like to explore, we can help you.
Here are our top tips for choosing the ideal exhibition stand type if you’re heading to Olympia.
Synergy Grill, bespoke stand, Olympia
Because bespoke exhibition stands – also known as custom exhibition stands – are designed especially for a specific event, they’re the ideal option for London Olympia.
The venue’s different spaces all have their own traits, and the floor can be difficult to work around, so the best way to overcome this is to have a stand built with these characteristics in mind!
Simpkins Edwards, modular stand, Olympia
Modular exhibition stands are perfect for businesses needing an adaptable, cost-effective exhibition system. And a versatile option is certainly what you need at Olympia!
These stands consist of many pieces that link together to create a seamless display, providing ultimate exhibiting flexibility without compromising visual impact.
Client, stand type, show
Constructed from aluminium poles and plain walls, shell scheme stands provide a blank canvas ready to bring your brand to life.
You can either attach graphics directly to the walls or look at other options (such as pop-up banners) to make the space your own.
Brew Tea Co, space-only stand, Olympia
If you’re looking for a design to help your brand make a statement in London Olympia’s busy and vibrant exhibition halls, a space-only stand could be the answer.
These stands tend to have more central positions. So, combine your prime spot with a striking and memorable design, and you’ll make a lasting impression on potential customers.
Ready to bring your brand’s story to life?
Expert insights from the Motive Exhibition team: pros and cons of London Olympia
London Olympia is a stunning, iconic, listed venue with an interesting history and heritage. But there are plenty of other reasons to love it.
Pro’s
- The layout is fantastic.
- It has a quaint location feel over some larger, more modern exhibition venues.
- The venue is in the thick of London, in a wonderful part of the city.
- There are balcony and mezzanine floors, which offer unique exhibition spaces.
- Olympia has its own dedicated tube station right outside the venue, so you don’t have to drive.
- It’s just 20 minutes by tube into Central London.
- It’s great for high-end events because of the local demographics.
- The famous Franks Cafe is opposite; an Instagram sensation in its own right and the place to get a cracking breakfast before the day starts!
Cons
While there aren’t many downsides to exhibiting at London Olympia, you’ll need to consider the following if you’re thinking of attending an event there:
- There’s a limited choice of hotel accommodation within walking distance.
- There are fewer car parking spaces compared to other exhibition venues.
- Olympia is tricky to get to by road, with no major routes straight into the venue.
- It’s a really difficult venue to self-build a stand at.
- And yes, we’re going to mention it again: the floor!
London Olympia is a beautiful Victorian venue, and while we love it, its age does present some unique challenges!
“But one of its biggest advantages is that, unlike other exhibition venues, when you step outside, you’re right in the hustle and bustle of London with so much to do on the doorstep.”
Ed Marshall, Creative Director, Motive Exhibitions
we’d love to hear from you
Simply fill in the below, and we will be in touch
FAQs
Our company isn’t from the UK. Can you build a stand for us for an exhibition at London Olympia.
Absolutely! We’ve built custom exhibition stands for companies from all over Europe that have attended events at London Olympia.
If you’re bringing anything with you, we can also help you with the logistics of getting show kit in and out of the country.
Can you park at Olympia London?
Yes you can, but parking is restricted and not this location’s best perk!
You’ve mentioned a wonky floor - is the venue accessible for disabled visitors?
Yes, but disabled car parking spaces need to be pre-booked online as they are limited.
The different show halls are all wheelchair accessible via a combination of ramps and wheelchair lifts.
If we work with you, can you take our supplies to the venue?
Yes! You can ship your materials to us, and we will pack them up with the rest of your stand for transportation. If you’re travelling by train, the last thing you want to do is take a load of brochures, iPads and products with you, so we organise your exhibition booth logistics as part of a project price.
Or, save the space in your suitcase and hire iPads etc from us! You can hire furniture, AV equipment, and a wide range of props and stand accessories.
Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
