Olympia Events, managed by Legends and ASM Global, has announced the appointments of Carly Gibbs, head of guest experience and Thalia Day, sustainability lead.
News of the appointments comes as Olympia works towards transforming its 14-acre site into a cultural district – including a 4,400-capacity live music venue, a 1,575-seat performing arts theatre, a school for creative arts, 100,000sqft of restaurants and bars and two hotels.
The appointments are reportedly aimed at helping the venue transform from a primarily trade show-focused venue to a cultural landmark in its own right. The new facilities will open over the next year, starting in the second half of 2025.
Combining academic qualifications with practical experience, Day will be responsible for leading a holistic sustainability strategy and working collaboratively with internal and external partners to implement environmental best practices, reduce waste, drive innovation and strengthen Olympia’s sustainability credentials.
Gibbs will be primarily responsible for creating and implementing the framework for the venue’s guest experience programme.
Additionally, she will play a crucial role in supporting the team as they transition into becoming part of London’s newest cultural district. She will assist with training and general collaboration to help the team step into the world of hosting culture and entertainment events.
Chief executive officer at Olympia Events, Andy O’Sullivan, said: “Carly brings a depth of knowledge on what it truly means to deliver exceptional, people-first experiences and will be empowering our teams and partners to raise the bar across every touchpoint. Coupled with Thalia’s expertise in sustainability, it adds real substance to our ambition to lead the industry in responsible, future-focused event delivery. Together, their appointments mark an exciting step forward as we reimagine Olympia as a destination defined by excellence, purpose, and empathy for both people and planet.”
These appointments build on a series of recent senior leadership hires at Olympia, including Gareth Lloyd as business development director, Adam Pollington as sales director, conferences and events, and Ray Watson as food and beverage director.
