What often gets overlooked is the business behind the FIFA organisation. Congress Rental was privileged to be chosen to supply all the simultaneous interpreting equipment and microphones for all the meetings and ceremonies leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. These meetings included the 60th FIFA Congress opening ceremony and conference, as well as numerous smaller meetings for the various executive committees and member associations such as UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF.

60th FIFA Congress: A view from the podium

Meetings began as far back as February, where Congress Rental provided interpreting and conferencing equipment for the FIFA Medical Conference in Sun City. This was a week-long conference and required interpreting four languages for approximately 150 to 650 delegates, depending on the rooms used that day. The FIFA Medical Conference was the start of what was to be a long list of FIFA-related conferences.

As the country was counting down to the 11 June, FIFA had a countdown of its own. For this prestigious association, the World Cup actually begins at least a week before the opening match. During this time, the numerous committees meet to make final decisions with regards to the upcoming World Cup and those beyond, as well as reaching agreements on certain statutes and laws imposed by FIFA on its member associations. After these meetings are concluded, the member associations then meet to discuss issues within their designated geographical area.

 
Former president Thabo Mbeki at the FIFA 60th Congress

For all these meetings, Congress Rental supplied the simultaneous interpreting equipment and microphones. Languages required varied considerably between meetings. However, the most common were English, French, Spanish and German. Additional languages provided by Congress Rental included Russian, Italian, Korean, Indonesian, Farsi, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Vietnamese. The venues utilised for these preliminary meetings were Sandton Convention Centre, Gallagher Estate and Montecasino.

From a booth point of view, having so many languages being interpreted in three different locations could prove to be a logistical nightmare. However, Congress Rental came out shining, even supplying 24 booths in total to all three locations on the busiest days. Through the duration of the conference, Congress Rental supplied equipment for eight rooms with a varying number of booths and microphones (depending on the specifications for the day).

All did not end with these meetings. Next was the 60th FIFA Congress, which brings together the 208 FIFA member countries across the globe. The likes of President Zuma, former president Mbeki, President of FIFA Sepp Blatter, Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Franz Beckenbaur attended this congress. An opening ceremony was held at Gallagher Estate where the congress was officially declared open, achievements in the past year were toasted and honorary guests received Orders of Merit.

Each of the 2 000 delegates was able to listen to the proceedings in their chosen language through the use of Congress Rental’s receivers. The following day, all the delegates attended the official FIFA Congress at Sandton Convention Centre, and once again, Congress Rental provided all the interpreting and conferencing equipment, including 1 500 receivers, seven interpreting booths and 30 delegate microphones.

Congress Rental supplied the simultaneous interpreting equipment and microphones for all the FIFA-related conferences

This entire process was truly a wonderful opportunity and experience. After many hours of work, Congress Rental would like to thank all who were involved in these conferences with us, including our staff, suppliers and clients. It was a resounding success, and we should all be proud of what we achieved.