The Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS) has long been a barometer for innovation in the media and broadcasting sector, but in 2025, it proved it’s also an example of how trade events can evolve alongside a venue.
Hosted at Olympia London’s Grand Hall, this year’s edition welcomed a record-breaking 13,000 attendees, boasted over 350 speakers across 100 free sessions, and unveiled bold new features spanning AI, VR, and sports broadcasting.
MPTS has been on a steep upward trajectory since it relocated to Olympia in 2017 for its second edition. Having outgrown Olympia’s West, Central, and National halls, organiser Media Business Insight (MBI) made the strategic move to The Grand Hall in 2023. Just two years later, in response to growing demand, they extended the show across multiple levels of the venue – including the upstairs gallery and Henley Suite.
“Olympia has played a vital role in supporting the growth of our event,” said Charlotte Wheeler, event director at Media Business Insight, MPTS organisers. “As our audience has grown and expectations have evolved, the venue has flexed to meet our needs – from the central location and accessibility to the flexible spaces and on-the-ground support.”
To maintain MPTS’s reputation as the UK’s largest broadcast media, production and tech event, MBI worked closely with Olympia’s dedicated event team to optimise the space. Key to this year’s success was how the team used the gallery level to host new premium content areas. This included the upgraded AI Media Zone (an evolution of 2024’s AI Theatre), expert-led paid AI Training sessions delivered by FMC, and the Broadcast Sport Series.
Rather than risk the upper level becoming an afterthought, organisers made a strategic decision to place high-demand, big-ticket content upstairs. This paid off. The AI Media Zone Theatre and Media Technology Conference alone drew 2,800 visitors, and the paid AI Training attracted a further 130. “The Olympia team understands how we want the show to feel as well as how it needs to function, and that makes a real difference,” Wheeler added. “At its heart, our event is about face-to-face connection, collaboration and community – and we’re excited that Olympia’s evolution will help us double down on those values as we grow into the future.”
Indeed, with MPTS turning 10 in 2026, it’s clear that future editions are set to be even more ambitious. The performance of smaller-scale ‘working zones’ and paid content this year has opened up new formats for premium programming. Meanwhile, Olympia’s ongoing £1.3 billion redevelopment – launching in phases from late 2025 – will provide MPTS with the scale, infrastructure, and hospitality amenities to expand even further.
“The redevelopment of Olympia promises to take the venue to the next level, turning it into a true destination for live events – and that aligns perfectly with the spirit of our show,” Wheeler said.
From strategic floor planning to seamless collaboration with venue teams, MPTS 2025 demonstrates how a trade show and its venue partner can shape each other’s success. With double-digit growth (a 12.93% average YoY increase in attendance) and high engagement across every floor, the stage is now set for MPTS to cement its position as a must-attend event in London’s live events calendar.
