More than 350 people are working to ensure that the Espacio Riesco facilities are ready to receive the 43 Heads of State and/or Government who have confirmed their attendance to the First Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) and the CELAC Summit, both of which will begin on January 26.

With only one day left for the inauguration of the venue, its 37,500 mts² (403,646 square feet) of air-conditioned meeting rooms and halls are already under intervention, achieving a 90% progress status according to the production department of the Executive Secretariat of Summits (SEC by its acronym in Spanish).

The team, which considers this to be “a large operation in which technology, design and usefulness are essential”, comments that this progress is based on the fact that the simultaneous interpretation cabins and the entire microphone system are already operational and all hanging lights have been installed, leaving only the replacement of light bulbs within the meeting and retreat rooms that will be used by the Heads of State and/or Government to be finalized.

Likewise, another important area which is already operational is that of control. Thus, access to the different areas of the venue will be controlled thanks to several totems set up in different locations.

The SEC team is aiming to have all areas nearly ready for President Sebastián Piñera to see tomorrow when he visits the venue with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfredo Moreno, and the Minister Secretary General of Government, Cecilia Pérez. With this goal achieved, the last details will be finalized between Tuesday and Saturday, when the Heads of State and/or Government will arrive.

One of the areas yet to be finished is the mapping, which consists on the projection of 3D images and is 50% ready, although their precise programming still has to be determined.

Meanwhile, some tasks which will be completed between today and tomorrow include setting up different television cameras, working on the final touches to President Piñera’s office and furnishing the country offices.