The perception of temporary facilities being limited to exposed bleachers and minimalist hospitality tents is now outdated. The specification of facilities has become more sophisticated as venue owners and event organisers have had to consider the economic and environmental legacy of permanent venues, and the need to avoid building so-called white elephants. At the same time, customer expectations have increased with spectators and guests become more discerning, meaning that the quality of some temporary venues can be comparable to permanent structures.
Capacity planning represents a challenge for the sports industry, where there is a need to retain the flexibility for not only accommodating fluctuating attendances but also the diverse types of visitor experience demanded by customers. De Boer have supplied temporary structures to the organising committee of this summer's UEFA EURO 2008 tournament and John Cochrane, the company's Sales Director, explains why temporary facilities have become more popular: "The modular nature of temporary structures means they’re perfect for sporting events." He adds that facilities are no longer limited to bleachers and hospitality tents: "Whether providing an international media centre or covered seating areas, temporary accommodation can enable sporting venues to respond to short-term peaks in demand or to the challenges of hosting a high-profile one-off event."
Reference: Stevens, Andy (2008) Temporary perception. Sport Business International. Issue 136, July, pp 57-58. London: SportBusiness Group.
