Olympic Rendezvous for Samsung

Imagination USA is creating a 1161 metre squared interactive visitor centre for Samsung Electronics at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, to be unveiled on 5 February.

The two-storey temporary structure, called the Olympic Rendezvous @ Samsung, will be open to athletes and spectators alike.

The centre, work for which is being handled out of the group’s New York office, is an attempt to strengthen brand awareness of Samsung products and bolster the image of its wireless technologies.

The exterior will be equipped with large LED screens that will broadcast spectators’ messages about the games while LED scrollers placed vertically along the entrance to the centre will simulate falling snow.

Inside the centre spectators will be able to take part in a number of interactive activities.

They will be able to use Samsung wireless phones suspended from the ceiling inside and contained within egg-shaped sound-buffing bubbles, which are illuminated internally. Visitors will be also be invited to take part in a digital snowball fight.

Athletes will have access to an Internet bar, a VIP lounge and café. There will also be a dedicated briefing area for press conferences and media interviews. There will be live monitors broadcasting the games throughout the centre.

‘We had to accommodate spectators and athletes in a way that showed Samsung’s leadership in wireless technology,’ says Imagination USA chief executive officer Mark Hider.