Latest News
February 2010
01.02.2010 by LEA International
June 12th 2009....Civil Aviation Affairs, Kingdom Of Bahrain jointly awarded Lea International and The Arena Group the contract to design and build the inaugural Bahrain International Airshow, 21st-23rd January 2010. With months of preliminary design and field work already in place no time was lost in transforming a site consisting of compacted sand to a fully operational and luxuriously appointed international airshow.
An extraordinary contract requires extraordinary people and the Arena Lea team proved that it had all the skills required to achieve something truly unique. The interior design for the show facilities was demanding in its detail, the exterior equally dramatic with each of the buildings spectacularly framed by sweeping gold canopies. The task of making these ideas real in the available time represented an exciting challenge.
From design through to project management, production and logisitics the company’s efficiency, dedication and communication were able to deal with the pressures that come with such a high-profile client and exceptionally short build schedule. Materials were shipped from both UK manufacturers and around the world. Managed by the in-house Arena Lea team, key local subcontractors were appointed to supply a wide range of items from bespoke joinery and metalwork fabrication through to large scale exterior graphics and spectacular floral arrangements.
The result is a Bahrain International Airshow site that was finished on time, a wonderful and permanent international venue and a delighted client. Lea International now looks forward to continuing its work on forthcoming Bahrain International Airshows, new projects across the region and the opening of its first permanent office facility in Bahrain.
November 2009
18.11.2009 by LEA International
James Shelley joins the Lea International Project Management Team. James has spent his 11 year career in the exhibition industry. Starting in accounts and then client support, he moved into project management with Nomadic in 2000 on primarily modular projects. He joined Service in 2002, initially in their graphics department, then moving into project management within their exhibition department. We are delighted to have him aboard and have flown him straight out to Dubai to help run all our projects at the Airshow.
18/11/2009 by LEA International
Lea International successfully design, build and project manage two chalets, five stands and two static aircraft displays at the Dubai Airshow.
October 2009
09.10.2009 by LEA International
From our own correspondent Mark Benson
Dear All...greetings from Korea
All is good here, we are already well into our routine for the next three weeks... sleeping, travelling, working, eating & drinking!
Weather here is superb at the moment as you'll see from a few red faces, its hot but not too hot which has helped the guys makes some good progress over the last few days, despite the interruptions of the Japanese President who flew in this morning and out this afternoon. Unfortunately every time his cavalcade appeared we were forced right inside the container and watched over by Korean military personnel for 40 minutes this morning and 1.5 hours this afternoon, this stopped work onsite completely. I was let out of the container briefly to run around, have a wee and boil the kettle providing I kept my head down and wasn’t seen by the senior ranking officers who carried very polished sub-machine guns…but at times like this I wish I had ordered more power as the kettle took an eternity to boil!!
The Flight ops has been moved further down the static, it has to be a good 800M between the Chalet and Flight Ops, fortunately we have Chesh’s bike which proves to be a very capable machine providing you’re very small... I've tried it a few times and usually fall off when I get to the end as I can’t extend my leg when I stop as I am so cramped up in pain!
So it just leaves me to say AN NYOUNG HEE GAE SAE YO…which is goodbye in Korean, briefly translated to an English YO with a smile and a wave goodbye!!
September 2009
10.09.2009 by LEA International
In order to keep to the very tight build schedule, ArenaLea contract Rock-It Cargo to air freight the first batch building components out to Bahrain for the International Air Show. On the 7th September in an audacious off-site logistical manoeuvre, two 747s owned by Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines were loaded with 105 and 106 tonnes respectively of steel components and flown straight out to Bahrain International Airport where they were unloaded again through the night with the cargo reaching Sakir Air Base at Dawn. The delivery was a major operation that required deployment of the entire Bahrain Airport Services Cargo team. Click here to view photos.
August 2009
28.08.2009 by LEA International
The cutting of foundations for all the buildings at the Sakir Airbase for the Bahrain International Airshow is now underway with no time to be lost. Tony Cozzi and Rana Johal head up the ArenaLea team on-site and are looking forward to the exciting challenges ahead.
June 2009
08.06.2009 by LEA International
Bahrain International Airshow awards contract to ArenaLea. Following a detailed and intensive tender process, joint organisers Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Farnborough International Ltd (FIL), have awarded the £17m contract for the inaugural biennial Bahrain International Airshow 2010 to Arena Group www.arenagroup.com and Lea International. Refer to Case Study for more details
07/06/2009 by LEA International
The idiosyncrasies of the Paris Airshow offer a unique set of challenges and this year the 100th centenary of the show was no exception! However with many years of Paris Airshow experience, Lea International rose to the challenge once again, successfully achieving 4 stands in the US International Pavilion in Hall 3, a 5 unit US International chalet for Kallman worldwide on Row C, a chalet up at the Heliport for Bell Helicopter and the Bell Helicopter / Textron Pavilion (as first used at Farnborough 2008) controversially positioned on one of the prime locations at the show next to Hall 2 and apparently the largest building on static display.
“Thanks to each of you for everything you did to help make the Paris Air Show a success for Bell. And, as always we were very pleased with the pavilion and the exceptionally good service Lea Int'l. provided throughout the show.”
Pat Butler
Director Trade Show – Bell Helicopter
May 2009
29.05.2009 by LEA International
Following on from the success at EBACE 2008, Lea International again ran day and night shifts through the 6 day build period of EBACE 2009 held at the Palexpo Geneva to provide spectacular and beautifully finished stands for clients Cessna Aircraft, Bell Helicopter, Execujet and Aerion. The largest project being a combined stand for Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter totalling 850m2 complete with theatre lighting, overhead screens and full catering facilities.
April 2009
29.04.2009 by LEA International
Despite the economic downturn, Cessna Aircraft contracted Lea International to build a 1170m2 stand at this year's Aero Friedrichshafen on which they displayed 4 Single Engines and 1 Business Jet. The show is a leading general aviation event in Europe providing a dynamic sales environment which attracts private, club and amateur aviators from all over. Cessna had a very successful show and were delighted with their stand;
““I did want to let you know how much we appreciated the fine job Tony, John and the rest of your team did for us. They were all simply fantastic and we really appreciated their hard work. As usual, there was nothing that couldn't be done and no task was too large or too small. They were always nearby when needed.
We received many compliments on the exhibit from both Cessnans and many outside the company as well. Even the show organizers were impressed! We are proud to be the industry leader and our exhibit made it obvious that that's our position. We continuously had more people in the booth than our competitor Cirrus across the aisle!”
Roger Martin
Director of Marketing, Cessna Aircraft
March 2009
08.03.2009 by LEA International
The Australian International Airshow is always a favourite on the Lea International event calendar – hosted at Avalon Airport just outside the beautiful city of Melbourne by organizers following in the great Australian tradition of friendliness and “No worries Mate” attitude. The weather is often unpredictable in Melbourne and this year was no exception with devastating bush fires brought on by high winds and hot temperatures. Despite this and with the great support and co-operation of the organisers, Lea International successfully completed a stand for AAI, a hospitality chalet for Bell Helicopter and another Flight Operations Centre for Boeing.
“I want to tell you how absolutely pleased I am about your team's performance in both India and Australia. Ben, Frances, and of course Tony and his team are all to be commended for their dedication and hard work on our behalf. The ops centers looked absolutely phenomenal, and worked better than we ever envisioned. Truly a concept that has, and will continue to, pay big dividends for Boeing.
I want to give special mention to Tony and his crew of laborers. Ian, these guys are absolutely the best I have ever worked with. Despite our seemingly constant demands and working the various Cessna / Textron displays in both locations, Tony was always there when we needed him. No matter how small and insignificant or how large and daunting the task, he always came through for us with fantastic results - and he was never anything but totally courteous and professional. He and all the boys are fine representatives of an equally fine contractor and partner.
The concept that we could show up on a tentative schedule at best and in both locations have a working facility, on time and as promised, is worth every penny we spend. I appreciate the effort from all of your team and look forward to another busy year together despite the downturn in the business cycle.”
John Kloppenburg
Manager, Aircraft Support Air & Trade Shows, Integrated Defense Systems – The Boeing Company
08/03/2009 by LEA International
Lea International team with Arena Structures on Bahrain Airshow 2010 tender.
17/03/2009 by Lea International
The Dubai Boat Show and Abu Dhabi Yacht Show are held back to back with a few days in between. Trinity Yachts commissioned Lea International to design and build a stylish but reusable stand which could be easily reconfigured to suit both shows over a period of several years. The stand was very well received and opens up new opportunities for Lea International in this market place.
February 2009
13.02.2009 by LEA International
Under very challenging conditions Lea International successfully complete 2 days ahead of show opening, a 300m2 exhibit for the Textron Group (Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft and Textron Systems) and a fully fitted Flight Operations building for Boeing's FA-18 Super Hornet display team at India's premier International defence aviation show AeroIndia 2009 Yelahanka Airbase just outside of Bangalore.
13/02/2009 by LEA International
At IDEX 2009 Abu Dhabi, following the marketing success of our Dubai office, Lea International successfully carried out 6 individual projects totalling 350m2 for both new and existing clients such as Honeywell, OshKosh and Flir Systems.
November 2008
09.11.2008 by LEA International
With only a 2 day build, Lea International successfully install 5 stands for Execujet, Argos, Avjet Routing, Imperial Jet and JP Jets, one hospitality chalet with static aircraft display for Cessna Aircraft and an outdoor pavilion for Execujet at Dubai’s business aviation show MEBA 2008 held at Dubai’s international airport.
October 2008
12.10.2008 by LEA International
Lea International design & build a large corporate stand for Bell Helicopter and Cessna Aircraft to exhibit together at India's first international exhibition on civil aviation hosted at the Begumpet Airport Hyderabad.
12/11/2008 by LEA International
As always Lea International had a strong presence at this year's Tax Free World in Cannes, designing and building 10 stands totalling for leading Tax Free brands such as Rotary Watches, Creed, Massenez, Panouge Parfum and SPI Spirits Group.
“It was nice working again together. We were very pleased with our stand. The work was done well, the finish, the lights and everything.&rdqo;
Olivier Creed,
Createur Parfumeur - Creed
“I would like to express our sincere gratitude in appreciation of the great job your team did with our stand! Our guys got numerous compliments for the beautiful design this year and I am sure that many more are still to come with the next exhibitions. I wish you all the success in business. It is always a pleasure to work with the professionals like your team.”
Larisa Lvova
Marketing Department International Brands - S.P.I. Spirits Ltd.
September 2008
01.10.2008 by LEA International
Two stands successfully completed by Lea International for Cessna Aircraft and Execujet at Moscow’s business aviation show JetExpo held at the Crocus Expo Exhibition Centre Moscow despite issues with escalating on-site costs and cultural differences.
August 2008
09.09.2008 by LEA International
Lea International take on 20,000 ft2 storage facility in the brand new Millennium Business Park, Mansfield located just a couple of miles from our construction facility with a view to house both Lea International’s considerable stock of exhibition equipment and client owned property in a secure and controlled environment.