Olympia Events has appointed Karen Cmela food and beverage director. She joined Sept. 7 to lead its in-house catering and hospitality operation.
Cmela previously held senior leadership roles at Ascot Racecourse and The O2. Her experience also includes large-scale catering, premium hospitality, and guest services across sports, entertainment, and live events.
At Olympia, she will oversee food and beverage across the heritage exhibition halls and new International Convention Centre (ICC). In addition, her responsibilities include The Addison, a premium lounge scheduled to open in 2027.
She will develop catering for exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, banquets, dinners, and awards ceremonies. However, each venue will require an approach suited to its audience and event needs.
“Food and beverage should be a core reason organisers want to bring their events back to Olympia,” Cmela said.
The appointment also builds on changes made over the past year. These include bringing catering in-house under Legends Global and updating food and beverage outlets across the heritage halls.
Meanwhile, Alex Lewis, Olympia Events’ chief operating officer, said Cmela brings experience leading food and beverage at complex venues. He said her background will support the company as it expands its conference and live event business.
Cmela will also help prepare the catering operation for The Addison’s launch.
“What the team has achieved over the past 12 months, from bringing catering in-house under Legends Global to relaunching the retail offer across our heritage halls, is testament to the great progress already underway,” Cmela said.
Olympia Events operates London’s Olympia Grand, National, and West Halls, along with the ICC and forthcoming The Addison lounge. Managed by Legends Global, the venues form part of Olympia’s wider £1.3 billion redevelopment. For more information, visit events.olympia.london.
Press release submitted by Olympia Events. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
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