The Flyaway Pods featured a series of portable cabins linked together, containing the servers, audio facilities and all the technical equipment needed to support the production. Showforce was appointed to assist with the installation and breakdown at some of the more remote and challenging circuits. Initially Showforce utilised their strong presence in the Middle East to deliver quality crew members for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Following on from the success in Bahrain, Showforce was then asked to assist with the Grand Prixs in India, Abu Dhabi and Brazil. For the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix they were on home turf; Yas Island is a venue that they regularly supply crew to, with crew numbers often reaching in excess of 300 over the weekend of the Grand Prix.
However India and Brazil were new locations for the Showforce team. Utilising a tried and tested model for approaching new territories they sent an experienced, Dubai based, crew chief to manage locally sourced crew, transferring the essential knowledge and skill base, to deliver a quality job without the cost of moving large numbers of people around the world.
Ian Spendlove, Showforce's chairman said, "It is always an exciting challenge to work in new countries. This was the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate our capabilities in the Middle East and illustrate our ability to operate and expand into new geographical areas.
"India was intriguing as it is an emerging market with a rapidly growing economy. Whilst an insight into how the market operates in Brazil was of particular interest, as we will certainly be focusing our attentions in this area as Rio de Janeiro 2016 approaches."
Feedback from Gearhouse Broadcast was positive, Aimee Hogerdoorn, their production manager said, "Working with Showforce has been a great experience. They not only met our tight deadlines, but they are a pleasure to deal with and have proved an essential tool in obtaining local labour in some very difficult locations."
(Jim Evans)
