Exhibition at London Olympia November 2025
In November 2025 we supported Sigicom with a full exhibition set up and pack down at Olympia London. This case study walks through the journey from Hassocks in West Sussex, how we planned the day around access slots and why timing and local knowledge make such a difference when you are investing in a high value trade stand at a major venue.
Need careful load-in and build support at Olympia? Speak to our team on 07552 555 820 or visit eastsussexvan.com and secure your slot.
Fully insured with £20,000 Goods in Transit and £5 million Public Liability, backed by Admiral Platinum.
Journey from Hassocks to Olympia London
This job started well before we loaded the van. Olympia London is a large West London exhibition centre made up of several interlinked event spaces that regularly host trade and public shows, often with quick turnarounds between events. That means access is tightly controlled, build and breakdown times are fixed and there is no room for guesswork.
We began the day in Hassocks, collecting Sigicom’s exhibition stand, equipment and marketing materials and loading them safely into our Sprinter van. From there we joined the A23 and planned our route to allow for typical M23 and M25 traffic and any issues around Hammersmith and Kensington.
For London exhibition work we always:
• check the venue handbook for loading bay height limits and directions
• confirm our vehicle registration for any pre booked access systems
• plan refuelling stops so we can prioritise Esso Ethos fuel where possible as part of our eco pledge
• allow extra time for road closures and diversions around major events
By the time we reached Olympia our team were fresh, early and fully briefed on the stand layout and contents. That calm arrival sets the tone for the whole job. The whole set up was ready an hour before schedule.
Process on site
For this exhibition we provided a complete service for Sigicom. That meant carefully unloading their equipment, stand components and marketing materials, helping position everything onto the stand and making sure all packaging was kept tidy and out of sight.
We started with the bulky items first so we could clear the van quickly and avoid blocking the loading bay. Once the main structure and equipment were on the stand, we moved on to:
• careful unwrapping and checking of branded panels and graphics
• positioning literature, demo equipment and smaller items exactly where the client wanted them
• keeping all walkways and neighbouring stands clear so other exhibitors could work safely
Because we are a small, family run removals company our customers always deal directly with Peter in the run up to the job. By the time we arrived on site we already understood what was fragile, what was mission critical for the show opening and what could be left for later. Our goods in transit cover gave the client extra reassurance that their stand and kit were fully protected on the journey up and back.
Local knowledge at Olympia
Olympia looks impressive from the outside and inside, but for vehicles and crews it can be a maze of ramps, service roads and back of house corridors. Knowing which entrance to aim for, where to queue and how to navigate to the correct hall makes a big difference to how long you spend on site.
Our experience with London venues means we are used to working around one way systems, strict security checks and live events in neighbouring halls. We planned our loading so that anything needed first on the stand came off the van last and we grouped smaller items into clearly labelled crates. That meant no repeated trips back and forth to the van and no last minute hunting for cables or leaflets when the client just wanted to focus on stand dressing and technical checks.
Importance of timing for exhibitions
Unlike a house move where you sometimes have a little flexibility, exhibition logistics at venues like Olympia run on precise build and breakdown schedules. Your slot is your slot. Miss it and you risk delays, extra charges or even not being ready when the doors open.
For Sigicom this show was an important opportunity to meet clients and demonstrate their technology, so our job was to remove as much stress as possible from the set up and pack down. We did that by:
• arriving within our access window with time to spare: we were one hour early for our slot
• working efficiently so the stand was ready for final tweaks well before show open
• returning for breakdown at the agreed time so the client was not left waiting at the end of a long exhibition day
At the close of the event we came back to pack everything down, re wrap it for transport and reload the van in a logical order ready for the journey home to Sussex. Exhibitors are often tired by the time breakdown comes around, so having a reliable removals team there on the dot makes a huge difference to how the last few hours feel.
Local business spotlight: Sigicom
Sigicom are specialists in providing remote monitoring solutions for construction, infrastructure and environmental projects. Their equipment helps sites keep track of vibration, noise and other activity around sensitive locations, so reliability and presentation at a major exhibition like Olympia London really matter.
For this show our role was to take care of the practical side so their team could concentrate on what they do best, which is demonstrating their monitoring technology and talking to visitors. We treated every flight case, sensor and branded panel as if it were our own, keeping everything organised on site so the stand looked clean and professional from the first visitor to the last.
Our commercial work often brings us into contact with innovative local and international businesses like Sigicom. Being part of their exhibition calendar and helping them show up well in front of their clients is something we take seriously.
Client feedback
Knowing that the client could walk straight onto a ready to dress stand was a key goal for this job. The best feedback for us is when we see exhibition teams relaxed, with enough time to focus on final checks, customer conversations and product demos rather than worrying whether their kit will arrive or if they will hit their build slot.
Why exhibition clients choose us
Over time we have refined how we handle exhibition logistics for Olympia London and other major venues. Typical reasons clients choose us for this kind of work include:
• exhibition and trade show logistics for West London and central London venues
• reliable timing and access window planning backed by clear communication
• goods in transit insurance up to £20,000 for added peace of mind
• eco conscious choices including Esso Ethos fuel where possible and recycled packing materials
• a family run team where you deal directly with Peter from first enquiry to job completion
• living wage pay and sensible driving schedules so staff stay focused, polite and careful all day
• consistently five star removal service across review platforms
• the option to combine moves with our handyman and snag list eliminator service for stand tweaks and small on site jobs where needed
These points also help us keep our standards high and are a useful way for clients to see how we work before they book.
Results for the client
Sigicom were able to walk onto site, focus on their exhibition goals and leave the logistics to us. Their stand materials left Hassocks safely, were set up on time at Olympia London and were packed down and returned in the same condition after the show.
For us this exhibition reinforced why timing, planning and clear communication are so important for commercial moves. When everyone knows the schedule, the access plan and the priorities on the day, an exhibition that could feel chaotic becomes a smooth, well managed project.
The results for our client were a one-hour-early arrival, stand ready ahead of schedule, on-time breakdown and kit returned to Sussex in original condition.
Thinking About an Exhibition at Olympia London
If you are planning a stand at Olympia London or any other major exhibition venue and need a removals team who understand timing windows, complex sites and the value of your stand and kit, we can help. From Hassocks, Brighton and Sussex to West London and beyond, we bring the same careful planning and five star service that we use on our house moves to every commercial exhibition job.
Book your Olympia install today at eastsussexvan.com or call 07552 555 820 for fast scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you handle Olympia’s timed access and vehicle passes?
Yes. We pre register vehicles, secure an access window and bring the printed pass so we can enter the correct zone on time.
What is RAMS and do you provide it?
RAMS means Risk Assessment and Method Statement. We prepare venue ready RAMS in advance and carry printed copies for gate and floor staff.
Which vehicles do you use for Olympia?
We match the van to the stand. A Luton with tail lift for larger builds and one trip capacity, or a long wheelbase Sprinter for tighter routes and low height areas. We can use both with a shuttle plan if that keeps things moving.
Can you help with on site build and breakdown?
Yes. We unload, stage by zone, assemble fixtures and furniture to plan, and assist during handover. For breakdown we rewrap, label and load for safe return.
Are you insured for exhibition work?
Yes. Goods in Transit up to £20,000 and Public Liability of £5 million, backed by Admiral Platinum. Tell us about any high value items so we can list them and plan extra protection.
Can you work out of hours?
Yes. We schedule early or late slots to match access windows and show rules, and we coordinate with organisers and marshals on site.
Do you supply labour only or full logistics?
Both. We can provide a crew to assist your team or deliver a full service including collection, load in, install, breakdown and return to storage.
What if access is delayed?
We build a buffer around the slot and communicate with organisers. If delays extend, we adjust the plan on site so the stand still reaches handover ready on time where possible.
Do you provide packing and materials for the return?
Yes. We bring wraps, tape and protection for repacking. Components are labelled and inventoried for storage or immediate return to Sussex.
Can you store our stand between shows?
We can place items straight into a storage unit and redeliver when needed so each component only moves once. We can also coordinate with your preferred storage provider.
How do I get a quote?
Send your stand plan, access window and a few photos or a kit list. We will recommend vehicle and crew, confirm timings and provide a fixed or capped quote. Call 07552 555 820 or visit eastsussexvan.com.
About the author...
Peter Hawes is the director of ESV Removals Ltd, a family run Brighton and Sussex removals team known for calm planning, careful handling and clear prices. Peter oversees every move from first message to the last box and brings local know-how for permit zones, tight stairwells and seafront buildings. ESV is fully insured with £20,000 Goods in Transit and £5 million Public Liability, recognised with two SME Southern Enterprise Awards in 2025 and backed by 280 plus five star Google reviews. The company follows an eco pledge that prioritises Esso Ethos fuel where available, reuses boxes and runs paperless bookings. Learn more at www.eastsussexvan.com or call 07552 555 820.
