AEV Puts People at the Centre of its Tenth Annual Conference

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) will place the human dimension of live events at the heart of its tenth annual conference, taking place on 26 November 2026 at the newly transformed Olympia in London.

Under the theme ‘THE HUMAN ADVANTAGE. Why people matter more in an AI world.’, the conference will examine how the growing role of artificial intelligence is reshaping the events industry while highlighting the value that people continue to bring to the live experience.

Rachel Parker (on the right), 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 AEV annual conference is the association’s largest event of the year, bringing together nearly 300 event professionals. Its 2026 edition will take place at the ICC, Olympia, following the venue’s £1.3 billion transformation.

The redevelopment has brought together four large-scale event spaces and a convention centre, alongside restaurants and bars, two hotels, a new theatre and music venue, offices and a gym. The project combines Olympia’s heritage with new facilities intended to broaden the ways in which events can be delivered across the wider destination.

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.

“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.”

The programme will explore subjects including leadership in an AI-driven environment, the human value of live events, security and technology. The conference will also introduce the ‘CLASS OF 2026’, AEV’s newly launched Emerging Talent Award. The full programme is due to be announced in September.

The conference will be hosted by Bryn Lucas, an elite-level sports presenter and commentator who has worked across major channels, championships and sporting organisations.

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 AEV icebreaker will return on the evening of 25 November, ahead of the main conference, providing an additional opportunity for delegates to connect.

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.”

Booking for the AEV annual conference opens in September.
 

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