The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has announced the theme for its tenth annual conference is ‘THE HUMAN ADVANTAGE. Why people matter more in an AI world.’.
Rachel Parker, CEO, AEV, said, “Artificial intelligence is changing how events are planned, sold, staffed and run. But the venues sector has always known that the moments people remember — the welcome at the door, the problem solved on the fly, the room that just feels right — are made by people, not systems. That is the human advantage.”
The annual conference is AEV’s largest event of the year, bringing nearly 300 event professionals together. This year’s conference will be held on Thursday 26 November enjoying the newest facilities at the ICC, Olympia.
Olympia’s recent £1.3bn transformation brings together four large-scale event spaces and a world-class convention centre, alongside a vibrant mix of restaurants and bars, two premium on site hotels, a new theatre and music venue, state-of-the-art offices and a gym.
Combining Olympia’s heritage with exceptional new facilities, creates London’s newest destination for events, entertainment, hospitality and business, designed to elevate the event experience.
Andy O’Sullivan, CEO, Olympia Events, said: “It’s a privilege to welcome the events community to our new convention centre for its premier annual event. The theme of this year’s conference reflects something we strongly believe at Olympia: that it is the people behind events who make them truly memorable and drive our industry forward.”
Sullivan added: “For 140 years, Olympia has played an important role in the UK events industry. Our recent transformation builds on that legacy, giving organisers, exhibitors and guests much more than a modernised venue. It has changed how events can be delivered at Olympia, creating opportunities for experiences to extend beyond the show floor and across the wider destination. We look forward to welcoming our peers from across the AEV community and sharing what this new chapter means for events at Olympia.”
Relevant to event industry professionals, the conference will include sessions on leading in an AI world, the human value of live events, security and technology, in addition to the reveal of the ‘CLASS OF 2026’, AEV’s newly launched Emerging Talent Award.
The full programme will be revealed in September.
Parker continued, “We are also delighted to introduce a new host for this year’s conference, Bryn Lucas. An elite-level sports presenter and commentator, Bryn has worked for, and with, some of the biggest channels, championships and individuals and we are excited to experience the energy he will bring to the conference.”
The popular AEV icebreaker event also makes a return this year on the evening preceding the conference, Wednesday 25 November 2026.
Parker added, “Our members appreciate the strong networking connections and valuable learning opportunities our association brings – the conference provides the opportunity for them to reconnect with industry peers. We are thrilled to host our tenth event in Olympia’s newest, future facing form.”
