Main Stage Panel Discussion
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There's real opportunity sitting inside every venue. The data a building already captures - how people move through the space, where they gather, when and where they connect - can help organisers grow attendance and revenue and give visitors a noticeably better day on the floor.
This session is about how venues and organisers can put that data to work together. Rich Harris is joined on stage by IT leads from the wider Olympia estate and Legends Global, to look at what's already possible and where it heads next. We'll use Olympia and its mixed-use setup - events, entertainment, business and hospitality under one roof - as a live example, and you'll come away with practical ways to turn your venue relationship into show growth.
Speakers
Mark Harrison is an experienced IT/Transformation Director, CIO and business leader with over 25 years of senior leadership experience delivering digital transformation, business change, and technology strategy across organisations ranging from start-ups to complex global enterprises.
He is recognised for combining strong technical expertise with pragmatic leadership, helping businesses navigate growth, transformation, and operational change while maintaining a focus on customer and employee experience. Mark is passionate about building high-performing teams, driving innovation, and delivering measurable business value through technology. Alongside his professional career, he is an active board trustee for a mental health charity and community rugby coach.
Rich has 20 years’ experience in video streaming and event production. He is the Managing Director of the multi-award-winning filming and streaming partner, First Sight Media. The company specialises in virtual, hybrid and live events and have become one of the most successful technical production providers within the UK’s event industry.
Excellent at implementing the right technology to create the perfect solution, Rich is always ahead of the game when it comes to the latest tech innovations. As an experienced production specialist, he has a proven track record of drawing out a client’s vision and delivering beyond expectations.
Ambassador for SpecialEffect, a charity that's helping everyone with disabilities to enjoy video games for fun, inclusion and rehabilitation.
Richard Harris is the Technology Director at Olympia Events, the team responsible for managing the heritage halls at Olympia, alongside the new International Convention Centre and The Addison premium lounge, where he leads the technology strategy across its event and venue operations.
With extensive experience across digital transformation, IT leadership and live environments, Richard focuses on delivering secure, scalable systems that support world-class events and enhance both organiser and visitor experiences.
Trish Sheed is the Business Systems, Insights and AI Lead for Europe at Legends Global, supporting technology strategy and transformation across venue and event operations. With a background in software engineering, she focuses on using integrated systems, analytics and automation to improve operational insight and decision-making.