Last weekend saw the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials reach a record attendance over the weekend, for the 25th anniversary of the sponsor’s partnership with this prestigious sporting event. As has been the case for over 30 years now, Danco were on hand to provide in excess of 20,000 sqm of marquee coverage and open up our hospitality pavilion to our valued clients and contacts.

Over a 5 week period in the lead up to the event, we erect everything from 25m wide member’s dining areas and bars, to media tents, organiser’s offices, 95m long craft marquees, luxury hospitality pavilions and miles of trade stands in 3m and 6m runs. Our Chinese hats line the lakeside and are arranged in order for the food villages, not to mention the red cross tent, temporary shop structures and even a dog crèche!

Rain and re-locating marquees for 2016

The ever changing British weather was a dominant feature as we began the build in extremely wet weather, including hail stones, which limited the mechanical handling of equipment on the delicate grass site and increased the difficulty of the installation. However, this was not reflected on the event days thankfully and visitors and traders alike enjoyed sunshine across the weekend! The Chinese hat lakeside pavilions also stood out as they looked great adjacent to the Mitsubishi tent. We increased the number provided and the size of the outside area available to companies, such as Savills, who offered corporate hospitality over the weekend.

One noticeable difference this year, related to the new CDM regulations, was a little more paperwork and daily reporting for the Danco team. However, the biggest visible change was for the Mitsubishi hospitality tent which repositioned to its impressive lakeside location this year. The solid sided 40x15m structure with semi clear roofs and a 40x3m decked terrace area, looked out over two cross country jumps and Badminton House to celebrate the key sponsor’s 25-year partnership with the event.

Danco’s Alpine Hospitality Lodge

Our most interesting (and challenging!) structure to build this year, has got to be the Danco hospitality pavilion. A 35x15m main marquee with brown PVC roofs and hand crafted solid wooden wall panels, opening out on to a 35x15m terraced area with 10x6m chalets on either side and two 5x5m entrance hats. The aluminium legs and beams were all clad with wood and the purlins disguised with brown PVC to give a complete ‘lodge’ effect, draped festoon lighting across the roof from the apex and faux antler chandeliers completed the look. It was a very popular style of structure and one that will be seen with our ice rinks this winter I’m sure.

We received some fantastic feedback from our clients on both the innovative structure and we are so pleased that everyone enjoyed their experience at the Alpine lodge!