Firm buying huge structure to host major events

Sign-It is finalising the last details of an agreement with a British company, Arena Structures, for the purchase of a tensioned structure which it will use to host major conferences and events.

Arena is the UK's largest outdoors event services company.

The tensioned structure (TFS) consists of a double-skinned PVC covering over sturdy metal arches, which forms a sound-insulated arena that can be airconditioned or heated. Its temperature insulating properties were described as being as good as those of a building.

The TFS being bought by Sign-It has been used at Wembley Arena for the past year, hosting a variety of events from Queen and Anastasia to religious functions while the new arena and stadium are built.

It is now being dismantled and will be shipped to Malta, where it will be erected at Ta' Qali runway on a six-month renewable basis.

"We learned a lot from the Venue which we had set up in 2003. The double-skin will prevent condensation, and is better suited to our heat and humidity. And the wind outside will not affect us," Sign-It managing director Ruben Caruana said.

"We also learned that the space was not flexible enough."

Sign-It has formed a new company, Arena One Malta Convention Centre to manage the TFS, and the purchase contract with Arena includes marketing expertise and back-up from its sister companies as well as the provision of any equipment that may be required. The other company shareholder is Tonio Casapinta.

"One of the problems was that there are no subcontractors who can cope with the large number of delegates we hope to attract. For example, we would need mobile toilets and chairs, and all of these - including more TFS if required - can be provided by Arena," Mr Caruana said.

The dimensions of the TFS are impressive: It would cover around 1.5 football pitches and at maximum height it would take three double-decker buses. It is completely resistant to wind. In fact it was used at the London Boat Show for an indoor pool hosting windsurfing competitions, with an array of fans churning out 28-knot winds.

Safety standards are also very rigorous, and crowd management, toilet and canteen facilities are all carefully designed. The central arch can take five tonnes of lighting and sound equipment, while the stage can take 48 tonnes - enough for the most demanding of sets, including Madonna. It can take 10,000 seated guests but can be partitioned off to offer flexibility to clients.

Arena's managing director Grahame Muir stressed that this is quite different to the marquees seen in Malta so far.

"The TFS takes 10,000 man days to erect. It is actually black on the inside to really make sure that people do not associate it with a tent! The TFS is used for really prestigious events and no one would be willing to pay that sort of money for a tent," he said with a laugh.

"This is really something quite different. It is actually the first one outside the UK, and I am sure that it will be a success."

Arena's contacts in the music world could generate business in unusual niches.

"For example, when a major band is rehearsing for a tour, they look for somewhere to set up the stage and set and try it out, out of sight and out of sound. Malta would be great," Mr Muir said.

In the meantime, the Arena One is already receiving enquiries, including one for 1,200 people in mid-March, and another that was described as "bigger than CHOGM".

"The TFS will be erected by mid-March. Once we get going, we want to host two big conferences a month. This is very feasible," Mr Caruana said.

International surveys show that 17 per cent of international conferences involve more than 1,500 participants. In 2004, Malta hosted 59,000 conference and incentive delegates.

"Malta has nowhere to host large conference and exhibitions. This would open up all sorts of possibilities."

Mr Caruana also plans to bid for a permanent convention centre at Ta' Qali once the government issues a tender, and is planning to use the TFS for the three years until this would be completed - assuming he wins the bid.

"The new company, strengthened by other interested shareholders, will prepare to bid for this tender. In the meantime, the new company will be the only one gaining experience in the running of this type of business," the company said in its background brief.

At the moment, his only likely competitor for the site is the Trade Fairs Corporation, with whom prolonged talks failed a few months ago.