Actavo was contracted to carry out the event infrastructure for US President Joe Biden’s visit to Dublin, Louth and Mayo in April 2023. The team delivered infrastructure for multiple clients across five locations in Dublin, as well as Ballina and Knock Airport in Mayo.
Scope of works
MCD: Actavo supplied fencing and barriers as well as staging, lighting and PA towers, screen structures, viewing platforms and press risers. The team also supplied full site and barrier dressing including Irish and American flag materials and structure cladding.
An Garda Síochána: Actavo supplied, installed and de-rigged front of stage barriers including pedestrian and vehicle gates, front of stage sight kill barriers, crowd control barriers, Garda barriers, Heras panels, scanning marquees, lighting towers, welfare units and portaloos.
Traffic Management: Our traffic management crews also managed VMS signage and road closures around the city and supplied, installed and de-rigged RB50 HVM barriers across 16 locations, providing 190 metres of protection in tested configurations.
Key successes
Flexibility
Actavo’s flexibility and adaptability meant they could have multiple project plans operating simultaneously. This allowed for route changes and evolving security requirements.
Health and Safety
Actavo held daily team health and safety briefings to ensure in- depth risk assessment and safety planning.
Solutions to challenges
- The project was split across 8 locations, meaning communication had to be clear and frequent. Daily/twice daily team meetings ensured resources were spread appropriately and changes were quick and seamless.
- Actavo had to move a screen support structure from its planned location to the river’s edge. Water safety protocol was put into action, health and safety measures were adjusted and a tool box talk was held in order for changes to be made quickly and safely.
- The project required a rapid increase of staff as it progressed. Actavo ensured that all new recruits had the Garda required accreditation needed to be close to the US President.
- A large number of the original build drawings changed as the project moved forward. Actavo's in-house design department turned around new drawings quickly and accurately.
Benefits to client
- Actavo’s industry knowledge and supplier contacts allowed the team to bring in the help of key specialists and increased staff where needed and at short notice.
- Actavo has experience conceiving, building, and delivering infrastructure for similar large scale state visits in Ireland, including President Barack Obama’s and Queen Elizabeth II’s visits in 2011. This experience allowed the team to deal with unforeseen circumstances efficiently as they arose.
- Actavo Events has the highest stock levels in Ireland for infrastructure of raw materials.