Olympia Events, managed by Legends Global, has announced the appointment of Carlo Zoccali as its new Event Operations Director.
Zoccali brings over 20 years of industry experience across the events, venues, exhibitions, conferences and sports sectors. He has held several senior commercial and operational leadership roles within the industry, at organisations including Fully Charged Show, Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre and Arsenal Football Club.
His experience spans venue operations, commercial strategy, customer experience and event delivery, bringing a unique perspective from both the venue operator and organiser side of the industry.
Zoccali joins Olympia Events during a defining moment in its 140-year history following a series of recent venue openings across the newly redeveloped destination, including British Airways ARC – the new 3,800-capacity music venue – a curated mix of “Olympia-only” restaurants and bars operated by Incipio, and Hyatt Regency London Olympia, which officially opened its doors on 6 July.
As Event Operations Director, Zoccali will lead the transformation of Olympia Events’ operational teams to support the delivery of world-class experiences across its heritage halls, new International Convention Centre (ICC) and The Addison premium lounge.
In his new role, Zoccali will lead a collaborative approach to operations, working closely with organisers to support successful event delivery and exceptional visitor experiences. Drawing on experience from both the venue and organiser perspective, he champions clear communication, flexibility, collaboration and proactive operational support as the foundations of successful long-term partnerships.
Alex Lewis, COO at Olympia Events, said: “Carlo joins Olympia Events at a pivotal moment in our evolution. Our focus remains on delivering exceptional operational experiences across our heritage spaces, new ICC and premium lounge, while connecting these seamlessly with the wider destination. Carlo’s diverse experience gives him a deep understanding of what organisers need from venues to succeed, and his collaborative, customer-first approach will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen long-term partnerships and support the commercial growth of our clients’ events. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”
Zoccali’s appointment is part of a series of new leadership appointments at Olympia Events as the organisation becomes an integral part of London’s newest destination for events, entertainment, hospitality and business.
Within his first 12 months, Zoccali will focus on working closely with organisers to better understand their objectives as well as identify opportunities to enhance visitor experiences, increase dwell time and maximise the benefits of the wider destination.
Commenting on his appointment, Zoccali said: “Olympia is entering one of the most exciting chapters in its history. The transformation has created an incredible destination, but what excites me most is the opportunity to shape how organisers and visitors experience it. Having worked on both the venue and organiser side of the industry, I know the best partnerships are built on understanding what success looks like for every client and helping them achieve it. My focus is on building an operations team that is proactive, collaborative and responsive, ensuring every organiser sees Olympia not simply as a venue, but as a trusted partner that helps their events grow and succeed.”
Olympia’s £1.3bn transformation will culminate with the new British Airways Theatre opening in 2027, with new venues and public spaces continuing to open in phases across 2026.
