When you think about Copa America Chile 2015, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
EB: Adversity. Work. Achievements.
OO: A project with a lot of planning and hard work, along with unconditional support from the Local Organizing Committee to make an excellent event.
What products or services did TGI implement at the event?
EB: The first LED perimeter systems in the tournament and for a CONMEBOL event, and also provided service for the company responsible for the commercialization of the commercial rights (DATISA).
OO: Graphic signage and décor for stadiums, hotels and training fields together with the LOC.
What were some special features of the event?
EB: The LOC wanted the event to be unique, to differentiate itself from the previous Copa America tournaments, so they created a whole new brand and image.
OO: The first Conmebol tournament with LED perimeter systems.
How long was the timeline from the start of planning to the end of the installation?
EB: Client confirmed the need of LED systems a few months before the start of the event. An exchange was made with DHL to transport them via air (DHL was sponsor of the tournament).
OO: It was approximately 3 months from the moment the contract was signed until the day everything was dismantled at the stadiums.
How much TGI staff was needed to carry it all out?
OO: There were a total of about 120 people among technicians, installers, assistants, and personnel in charge of organizing the project.
Are there any specific technical details that should be mentioned?
OO: A greater effort was needed since Chile did not have many generators to supply power for the LED systems used on the playing fields, so other solutions were needed.
Did you experience anything during the planning phase that you would like to mention? Was there anything that impressed you?
EB: The event took place in a global soccer context of turmoil. It was only days after the FIFA Gate blasted. What impressed me the most was the professionalism, mutual cooperation, teamwork and event vocation of all the people involved. That was what made the event possible.
OO: The Chilean community and its hard work to make this event possible.
Who played a key role in the development of this project?
EB: Everyone. Each one fulfilled a specific role which was essential for everything to go well.
OO: All the people involved were key to organize the event and deliver our solutions on time. It would be very difficult to say just one name. I think the entire team worked excellent for the same goal: to have the best Copa America ever.
Is there someone or several people on the client side who you would like to thank?
EB: The truth is that in this event I was on the client side, and I appreciate that TGI has accompanied us and helped us in the way they did. It makes me very happy that from this work dynamic the possibility of being part of TGI emerged.
OO: Our client was Datisa and Full Play. Our best contact then was our own Eugenia Bossi who helped us best through the process of solving issues.
Now, can you tell us a little about TGI in South America?
How many projects like this have TGI accomplished in South America?
EB: We have had several LED projects after Copa America 2015, including Super Rugby and Rugby Championship (Argentina), Copa Sudamericana Sub 20 where LEDs (Chile) were placed for the first time, Universidad Católica (Chile), Friendly Matches of the ANFP (Chile), single final CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana (Paraguay), but in terms of complexity of operations and logistics it is important to mention the contract that we closed for 2 years with Conmebol.
Currently, we deliver elements for the 260 games year of the Copa Conmebol Libertadores and Sudamericana. Other projects such as Hospitality Decoration, VIPS decoration, catering contracting, among others, emerged from the relationship with CONMEBOL. We are attentive to the needs of the market and combining the experience gained in the USA and Europe with that of South America.
OO: We have our contract with Conmebol, and we have been able to carry out the games of the Libertadores and Sudamericana tournaments. The main thing is that TGI has established itself in South America and is already known in all the countries of the region.
How does TGI in North America differ from South America?
EB: TGI is very well positioned in South America, they contact us for visual branding, signage systems, LEDs, creative services and event management. TGI in many cases acts as an event production agency.
OO: In South America we are more committed as an agency that is involved in various aspects of an event. We are mainly known for our LED billboards, but we provide much more than that.
Thank you for your time and for sharing about TGI South America.
EB & OO: With pleasure.