Arena Group was entrusted to supply and install three temporary structures to welcome Colombia’s president Juan Manuel Santos and his wife on a historic UK visit, 1st November 2016.
Arena Structures has a longstanding history of delivering royal and ceremonial events throughout the capital for over 200 years, and has supplied international State Visits to London and Windsor for over 30 years. As a result, the team is well rehearsed in the delivery of event infrastructure ahead of high-security arrivals.
The 8-strong Arena Structures crew installed three temporary Royal Pavilions specifically designed for state visits at the Horse Guards Parade, with interchangeable fascias, allowing them to be adapted for each visiting country’s colours and emblems. In between official visits, Arena Structures was responsible for the storage and management of the temporary structures at its’ St Ives base.
Phil Bish, Arena Structures project manager comments: “It was an absolute privilege to supply and be involved with the Columbian State Visit, particularly with it being the first project of this kind that I have delivered for Arena Group. The sheer level of work that goes into organising an event of this stature is phenomenal. It is testament not just to the Arena Structures team, but to the security, police and military that the event took place without a hitch.”
This historic occasion marked the first time a UK visit had been carried out by a Colombian president, and came after Mr Santos was awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end one of the world’s longest running civil wars.
