Olivier GINON

About Olivier GINON

Olivier Ginon is one of the best-known executives in the French events industry and a leading figure in the international live-events market. He co-founded Polygone Services in 1978 with three partners, launching what would later become Générale Location and eventually GL events. From the outset, his career has been built around event installation, logistics and related services, with a business model driven by acquisitions, diversification and international expansion. Over time, the group developed a fully integrated offering spanning event structures, stand design, venue operations, trade fairs and large-scale event production. Under his leadership, the company reached several key milestones: it went public, adopted the GL events brand, expanded abroad and built a stronger footprint in major global markets. The group later broadened its presence in professional exhibitions, sports events, congresses and venue management. This progression reflects Ginon’s ability to build a multi-activity platform across the entire events value chain, rather than a narrowly focused service provider. As Chairman of GL events, he represents an entrepreneurial style of governance based on long-term development, operational discipline and strategic growth. The group now operates in more than 20 countries, with close to 100 locations worldwide and over 6,000 employees. Among the most notable achievements associated with his tenure are the group’s expansion into major sporting and institutional events, the strengthening of its international venue and exhibition platforms, and recent strategic initiatives tied to site concessions and major assets, including Anhembi in São Paulo and Parc Chanot in Marseille. Ginon has also promoted a long-term vision combining economic performance, territorial anchoring and corporate responsibility, in an industry shaped by evolving standards of safety, sustainability and client expectations.