21 March 2005.
The Heads of Delegations meeting of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest participating countries took place in the entertaining complex Arena on March 21. Svante Stockselius, the EBU Executive Supervisor, Taras Stetskiv, the NTU President and Pavlo Grytsak, the ESC-2005 Executive Producer, the NTU Vice-president, made their opening speeches.
The purpose of visit to Kyiv of the foreign delegations was to summarize the process of preparations for hosting the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. Each of 39 participating delegations made brief presentation of the delegation and of their national song; they also commented and analyzed the process of preparation in their countries. The Reference Group had an opportunity to raise several important issues in particular the problem of plagiarism etc.
Mykhailo Ilko, the ESC-2005 Creative Director, while presenting his project outlined the present stage of the show development process. The project of the show lighting was presented by the representatives of the Swedish partner of the European Broadcasting Union company Spectra +, Ola Melzig, Project Manager, and Per Sundin.
It was followed by the presentations of managers providing tickets distribution, events organization, and accommodation for official delegations and accredited persons and security as well as of the Bytsko, official travel agency, which would provide reception and accommodation for guests in the hotels of Kyiv. Bo Wahlberg, Project Manager of the Prisma company, the EBU partner, had an opportunity to comment on the way and means of the Contest broadcasting, and also analyzed technical issues. Tarmo Krimm, the ESC-2005 Show Producer also had an opportunity to take the floor and covered the issues of accreditation. He informed guests of the preparation process of the Palace of Sports as the venue.
22 March 2005.
The series of presentations was held; it was opened by the Digame company, which is responsible for televoting on the All-European basis. It presented the information concerning the process of calls receipt, votes calculation etc.
The T.E.A.M. group presented the sponsorship concept, international sponsors themselves and their rights.
The Badge company, which officially deals with merchandising i.e. the process of souvenir and gift products development for the ESC-2005, also made its presentation.
Oleksiy Bondar, Event Manager, outlined the concept of the EUROClub, an information and entertainment complex, which would be created and would be functioning during the Contest period at the Arena club (Mandarin Plaza).
The Pixelpark company presented the internet draft of the official website for the 50th Anniversary Show.
The level of preparation for the Contest was highly appreciated at the Heads of Delegations meeting for the ESC-2005. The EBU representatives and Heads of Delegations expressed their discontent with the artificial overpricing at the hotels of Kyiv, namely Radisson Sat, Lybid and Rus.
The draw for the Semifinal and Final took place the same day. Here are the Semifinal draw results:
