What has been announced
Excel London has appointed Sam Gibson as chief information officer, according to a venue announcement dated 7 October 2026. The role is new to its executive team. Excel says the appointment forms part of a wider programme of investment in digital infrastructure and connectivity.
The venue identifies Clarion Events as Gibson’s most recent employer and says he has more than 20 years of technology-leadership experience. The announcement describes a customer-led technology strategy, but it does not set out a service launch date, a technical specification or a new connectivity tariff.
What organisers can take from it
Putting technology on the executive team is a statement about responsibility, not proof that a particular event will receive a better connection. A registration desk, a streamed plenary and an exhibition with thousands of connected devices create different demands. Buyers still need an event-specific specification.
The useful procurement question is not simply whether the building has Wi-Fi. It is who takes responsibility for capacity planning, testing and incident response across the organiser’s suppliers and the venue. A senior appointment may help that conversation, but it does not replace it.
Questions for your next brief
Ask which services are included in the venue proposal and which are separately charged. Set out concurrent devices, upload requirements, areas requiring coverage and any wired connections. Identify the person who can make decisions during the live event, rather than collecting a generic help-desk number.
If your event depends on streaming, access control or live demonstrations, ask for a written testing window and an agreed fallback. A successful rehearsal in an empty hall does not establish performance under full attendance. These are buying considerations, not findings from a technical test at Excel.
What remains unconfirmed
Excel says another phase of its connectivity programme will be announced. The release reviewed for this report does not provide enough detail to assess that phase’s performance, delivery timetable or effect on individual event budgets. We have not tested the venue’s network or interviewed the appointee.
For a current event booking, use the venue’s latest written proposal rather than treating a corporate investment announcement as a contractual commitment.
Sources and research basis
Sources checked 2026-10-17. Supplier capabilities and venue specifications are attributed to their published documentation. No first-hand test or visit is implied.