Page 71 - Protec PR Book Volume 2

When asked about the process of creating a show like this, Andradé said, “This is a very unique show. It’s not as simple as using your imagination and delivering an action movie styled show because it also has to be realistic in the sense that being a military show demonstration, it needed to involve military procedures and methods, especially considering the fact that this show is watched by some very senior military personnel who visit from across the globe. At the end of the day, this is not just delivering what we want but delivering what the client requires and expects with strong creative input from us. This calls for some serious research and coordination. I do admit that having done this show twice before in 2013 and 2015, the experience and knowledge gained also helped. From a creative standpoint, we had already done
a desert theme and a port theme so this time had to be in a completely different setting. So mountains it was this time. Once we had the setting, we had to develop the storyline. The way this part works is that we develop the creative storyline and then work out the details with the Armed Forces representatives to ensure that whatever is being created and developed is also practical and most importantly – safe for them to perform live.
This relates to all aspects – personnel movement, vehicle movement, aircrafts, etc. We have to remember that this show is performed entirely by the UAE military personnel...no professional actors or stuntmen or stunt drivers.”
Right from the start, the committee that comprised of senior military representatives, ADNEC senior executives & IDEX senior officers and staff that formed the Steering Committee for IDEX along with Protec, ensured the whole process was smooth by working together as a unified team including brainstorming sessions, regular inspections and coordination with all the relevant authorities. The show was watched by millions of television viewers (via live TV broadcast), social media and visitors and thousands of guests actually watching from the grandstand (packed to 5000 capacity on each
of the five show days). It was a huge success in terms of venue build, the staging, sets, backstage areas, holding areas, special effects and the spectacular performances as well.
The venue took Protec 55 days to build, ensuring all the elements that were used to build it up were properly set up and would take the wear and tear for the duration of the 5 shows as well as the three weeks of training and rehearsals.
After the show, Protec de-rigged the entire temporary venue and cleared the site completely in 13 days and eventually handed back the site in exactly the same condition as we received it which was an important client requirement. The complete production for the IDEX 2017 Opening Ceremony was, according to the client and event organizers (IDEX LLC, GHQ and ADNEC), the best they had seen and experienced in the exhibition’s history which didn’t just meet the brief but went well beyond expectations.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC had this to add: “Thank you very much on a successful IDEX, which for ADNEC and Abu Dhabi, was the most successful ever IDEX in its history. This year’s show has broken all records, including reaching more visitors than previous years. Working with you all at Protec, was a pleasure for not only myself; but for all my team, who mentioned that it was a delight to work with such a professional and well organized and structured organization. I am sure the stress behind the scenes was well worth it in the end. What a marvellous Opening Ceremony and each day I watched the performance, I noticed even more intricate details to the show. The opening ceremony ran as smoothly as what I was hoping for and my expectations were not only met, but were exceeded.”
When asked about what could be in store for 2019 for the next show, Lakin smiles, “That would be telling. We already have a few ideas but you would have to wait till the show is delivered to find out what comes next but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We need to win it first.”
For video go to: https://youtu.be/BEgdDwi5-QA