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$7 Million Construction Contract Awarded to Make Audubon Louisiana Nature Center Operational post-Katrina

Joe Kleiman
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$7 Million Construction Contract Awarded to Make Audubon Louisiana Nature Center Operational post-Katrina

New Orleans, LA, USA — The restoration of the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center passed a significant milestone Thursday when the Audubon Commission voted to award a $7 million construction contract that clears the way for the sprawling eastern New Orleans attraction to return to its proper place as a treasured green space for family recreation and environmental education.

BelouMagner Construction of Metairie is scheduled to begin work on the 86-acre site in Joe Brown Park by midsummer, with a grand opening of the project’s first phase planned for 2016. Billes Partners is the architect for the project.

The Phase 1 restoration will bring back many of the popular features that were built in the years following the Nature Center’s 1980 opening, including a planetarium, an 8,500-square-foot Exhibit Pavilion, a glass and steel greenhouse Botany Center, classrooms, interactive educational exhibits, a network of trails and covered boardwalks, extensive landscaping and parking. The design will allow for exhibits to be moved easily to convert indoor space for community events.

Restoration of a maintenance facility is already underway.

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“All of us at Audubon Nature Institute are excited to be part of the many wonderful things happening in New Orleans East,” said President and CEO Ron Forman. “And we look forward to working side by side with the community to make this facility a must-see destination for locals and visitors alike.’’

Built three decades ago to address an urgent community need for environmental education programming, the new Nature Center will take advantage of technological advances and construction techniques that have become more environmentally friendly and hurricane resistant.

The Louisiana Nature Center opened its doors on March 23, 1980, offering a scenic interpretation of the Mississippi River Delta and Louisiana Coastal Zone in Joe Brown Park. It was among the first facilities of its kind to receive and maintain accreditation by the American Association of Museums.

In 1993, the Nature Center’s board of trustees approached the Audubon Nature Institute about a merger. Recognizing that the two organizations shared a commitment to inspire people of all ages to appreciate the natural world, an agreement was forged a year later to take advantage of Audubon’s proficiency in development, marketing, finance and human resources.

Renamed “Audubon Louisiana Nature Center,’’ the attraction thrived under its new structure, welcoming about 85,000 annual visitors, including 45,000 students who were served by outreach programs.

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath left the Nature Center under six feet of water for more than a month. Its forests were severely damaged and its interpretive spaces were destroyed.

The Nature Center has remained closed since the storm as Audubon’s leadership met with representatives of FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, city and state government and community leaders to map out a restoration strategy.

Demolition of structures damaged by the 2005 levee breaks was largely completed last year.

The city of New Orleans has launched a major rebuilding effort in Joe Brown Park, restoring recreational areas and adding two new stadiums for high school football and track. The Nature Center restoration is an integral part of the master plan for the area.

The new, state-of-the-art facility will introduce generations of Louisiana and Gulf Coast families to the wonders of the fragile ecosystems that they call home.

Camelback Lodge Opens Northeast USA’s Largest Indoor Waterpark

Joe Kleiman
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Camelback Lodge Opens Northeast USA’s Largest Indoor Waterpark

Tannersville, PA, USA — On Friday, May 1, owners of the $163 million Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark opened the doors to the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeast and the largest hotel and most innovative waterpark ever constructed in the U.S. in a single phase.

The 125,000 square-foot Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, part of the 170,000 square-foot indoor family adventure center, features seven pools, 13 waterslides and a multitude of thrilling water attractions. Combining waterpark fan favorites with several never-before-seen attractions and slides in an immersive world exploration and discovery theme, Aquatopia premieres as the most innovative and educational indoor water and adventure park ever created. At the helm is fictitious legendary explorer, Kartrite Van Der Berris, who has filled the waterpark with wonders from his worldly expeditions.

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The Great Kanagawa Wavepool features a snowcap-topped mountain, complete with a real Sno-Cat that uses thousands of LED light and sound effects to create the illusion of an avalanche plummeting into the pool. The Australian-surfing themed Bombora FlowRider lets guests ride the waves alone or with a partner. Aquatopia’s The Lost River is a vast departure from a typical lazy river, enthralling guests with a dark adventure river ride through the jungle into a mysterious temple to find clues before emerging into daylight and a 60-foot waterfall. Perched on its launching pad high above Flyboys, the adults-only swim up bar, is Kartrite’s DHC-2 Beaver Float Plane, affectionately named, “Spirit of Tannersville.”

As its name implies, the Venus SlydeTrap devours riders on a three- to six-person family rafting tube. The only combination family raft ride of its kind in the world, the Venus SlydeTrap fuses three thrilling waterslide experiences into one slide. The 600-foot long, fully enclosed family rafting experience has a record-breaking sphere and open ‘manta’ wall ride. Starting with a heart-pounding drop, riders speed down an enclosed serpentine flume before they are injected into a 16-foot sphere where they bank around 90-degree turns, and finally are plunged back into darkness. Next, riders are propelled back into the rushing waters where they experience wall crawling Zero-G oscillations before being swallowed and spit back out into a plunge pool below.

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Kartrite’s Quest is the World’s First ‘Next Generation’ fully themed and immersive multi-level AquaPlay structure. Like a traditional interactive play structure, Kartrite’s Quest features a 1,000-gallon, themed giant dumping bucket perched more than 52 feet overhead and 84 interactive water effects, including bubbler and geyser jets, rotating dumping troughs, hose jets, pull ropes, tipping cones, water guns, plunger jets, water wheels and water cannons. From that point on, a new wave of technology was incorporated into the design to make Kartrite’s Quest the world’s first attraction of its magnitude. Kartrite’s Quest was created not only to be interactive, but educational as well. Children are able to take hold of their own exploration as they encounter dozens of highly themed elements including: “The Flags of the World” navigation symbols, constellations, Kartrite’s Library, high flying hang glider, giant carved tree, huge sail, zodiac expedition boat, periscope, Atlantis-themed kids-zone and giant logbook with ink blotter and quill.

The Storm Chaser, a gravity-defying water-based coaster, is North America’s longest indoor uphill water coaster, measuring an adrenaline-charged 756 feet. Coaster enthusiasts can chase the storm on a one- or two-person tube slide that travels uphill on jetted water. Shortly after riders take their seats, they maneuver between open and fully enclosed dark and translucent sections of the slide. Five drops and four breathtaking curves give riders a feeling of weightlessness, providing thrills to the very end.

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Situated under 1.5 acres of Texlon transparent roof – the largest install in North America – Aquatopia’s innovative design allows guests to soak up the sun indoors at a comfortable 84-degrees year-round. More than 120 lifeguards trained and certified through Ellis & Associates oversee the safety operations and regulations for Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark.

Aquatic Development Group (ADG), a leading designer and builder of waterparks and recreational water and mountainside attractions across the U.S., was the lead designer and builder of Aquatopia. Drawing on decades of experience, ADG’s team designed the park to include exceptional attention to detail with distinctive features that guests of all ages and interests will enjoy. From the one-of-a-kind “dark” river adventure to the amazing roofing system, ADG’s product innovations and designs continue to find new avenues for delivering exciting recreational attractions that appeal to visitors and enhance the park’s profitability. WhiteWater West served as the lead waterslide supplier and installer, including the world premiere of the ‘Next Generation’ AquaPlay structure.

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“This has been an extraordinary project because of my own personal involvement and vested interest in Camelback,” said Ken Ellis, an owner of Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, co-owner of Camelback Resort and Camelbeach Waterpark, and owner, president and CEO of Aquatic Development Group. “I’m extremely proud of the talented and diligent team at ADG, the innovative slide attractions by WhiteWater West, the incredibly executed details by Weber Group, and the work put forth by so many others who brought our vision to life. Aquatopia is incredibly innovative because we had the full force of the industry’s best people behind it.”

WhiteWater West president and CEO Geoff Chutter noted, “The efforts put into the development of Aquatopia were extremely collaborative. As we brought innovative and exciting products to the table, ADG introduced theming and narrative to further elevate the play experience. The unique colors, theming and the intricate story of Kartrite’s Expeditions will blow guests away.”

Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark was developed by a unique group of owners, each bringing distinct and noteworthy experience to the project. Camelback Resort and Camelbeach Waterpark co-owners Arthur Berry III and Aquatic Development Group CEO Ken Ellis, partnered with Pete Helland Jr., Pat Helland, Tim Lucke and Tim Gantz of Stand Rock Hospitality, who each have a long legacy in indoor and outdoor waterpark development and management.

Nestled in the heart of the Pocono Mountains at the base of Camelback Resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, the new Camelback Lodge features 453 luxury guest suites, three restaurants including a ski-in/ski-out, multiple bars and eateries, adult and kid spas, indoor adventure center and the colossal, 125,000 square-foot Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark. Transforming Camelback Resort into a four-season adventure destination, Camelback Lodge complements the existing seasonal outdoor waterpark, skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, ziplining, treetops obstacle course, mountain coaster and more.

The heart of the Pocono Mountains draws visitors from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia with 28 million people living within 180 miles of this historic recreation vacation destination.

 

Tim Schuette Appointed VP Global Sales, System Integration at Sennheiser

Joe Kleiman
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Tim Schuette Appointed VP Global Sales, System Integration at Sennheiser

Old Lyme, CT, USA – Audio specialist Sennheiser announced that it has appointed Tim Schuette to VP Global Sales, System Integration (SI). Schuette, an industry veteran with over 15 years of management experience, will be based in Germany and report directly to John C. Falcone, Senior Vice-President of Sennheiser’s Systems Solutions Channel. In his new role, Schuette will oversee Sennheiser SI sales teams located in North America, Western Europe, Central Europe and Northern Europe.

“Tim brings extensive sales experience and a strong IT background to his new role,” commented John C. Falcone. “His knowledge in these areas will play a key role in helping Sennheiser navigate the rapidly changing business environment, while driving the ongoing success of our System Integration business.”

Schuette has over 15 years of sales management experience at companies such as Logitech, Microsoft and Oracle under his belt.

The appointment of Schuette to this newly created position reflects the rapid industry growth and high revenue potential within the System Integration market for Sennheiser, particularly in view of the convergence of IT and A/V markets in the installed sound channel.

CityArchRiver Project Celebrates Groundbreaking for St Louis Gateway Arch Museum and Visitor Center

Joe Kleiman
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CityArchRiver Project Celebrates Groundbreaking for St Louis Gateway Arch Museum and Visitor Center

St Louis, MO, USA — CityArchRiver project partners and area leaders gathered at the future site of the Gateway Arch entrance April 29 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the museum and visitor center renovation. Speakers at the event commended the beginning of construction on the expanded visitor center and reimagined museum at the Arch as a major milestone for one of the largest public-private investments in the region’s history.

“The commitment and financial support for this project rank among the largest acts of private philanthropy in the history of the national park system,” said Peggy O’Dell, deputy director of the National Park Service. “Great partnerships make great things possible. On behalf of the National Park Service, I thank our partners for helping create a project that ensures we can continue to tell our stories including St. Louis’ remarkable role in building this nation.”

The Gateway Arch Museum and Visitor Center Renovation is one of the largest components of the $380 million overall CityArchRiver project and aims to redesign the museum and expand the visitor center by 46,000 square feet. The museum will house new exhibits that tell the story of westward expansion and St. Louis in new, interactive and engaging ways. The visitor center will bring the entrance of the Arch into downtown St. Louis and provide impressive views of the city skyline for the first time.

First graders from KIPP Victory Academy and third graders from the Rockwood Center for Creative Learning perform the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new museum and visitor center at the Gateway Arch.

 

​“The new museum will have more focus on St. Louis and our role in history,” St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said. “The Arch is the undeniable symbol of our region, recognized around the world. With this project we are better connecting it to the city it represents.”

Design and construction of the visitor center and museum renovation is funded privately through the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation with additional funding for construction provided through Proposition P (with Great Rivers Greenway providing oversight of funding) and Bi-State Development Agency. The construction of the visitor center and museum is managed by the National Park Service.

CityArchRiver Foundation Board Member and President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Flint Fowler, stressed the community benefits of the museum and visitor center. “This resource is particularly for our children. We are building this project for the future, and they are indeed the future of this region,” he said. “There are new spaces for education that didn’t exist before with dedicated spaces for our children to learn and have discussions.”

Kaylan House, a sophomore at McKinley Classical Leadership Academy and a Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) alumnus, spoke about what the Arch means to her. “The Arch should serve as a reminder of this city’s potential,” she said. “This expansion will help us restore and build stronger the sense of community that we are known for.”

Kaylan was joined by other students at the groundbreaking as first graders from KIPP Victory Academy and third graders from the Rockwood Center for Creative Learning performed the ceremonial groundbreaking. 

“This project brings together the culture and heritage of our region with the centerpiece of the St. Louis riverfront,” said John Nations, president and CEO of Bi-State Development Agency. “We look forward to sharing this new experience with the millions of people who visit the Gateway Arch each year and make it the most-visited monument west of Washington, D.C.”

“The Arch grounds, visitor center, and museum will now be a more welcoming public space,” said Susan Trautman, executive director of Great Rivers Greenway. “Connecting public spaces like this is one of the core values of our organization and an important part of making St. Louis an even better place to live.”

View of the Old Courthouse and Downtown St. Louis from inside the future visitor center entrance at the Arch.

 

More than 900 businesses, individuals and families, and foundations throughout the region have donated to the CityArchRiver project. Their support has been crucial in advancing the CityArchRiver project to the milestone celebrated today.  To date, the private sector has committed $211.9 million toward the CityArchRiver project’s private funding needs. 

The design team for the museum and visitor center renovation component of the project includes Cooper Robertson (New York, N.Y.), architect, with James Carpenter Design Associates (New York, N.Y.) and Trivers Associates (St. Louis, Mo.). McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (St. Louis, Mo.) is the general contractor on the project.

Registration Open For 2015 European Attractions Show in Gothenburg, Sweden

Joe Kleiman
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Registration Open For 2015 European Attractions Show in Gothenburg, Sweden

Brussels, Belgium — Euro Attractions Show (EAS), the largest conference and trade show for the attractions industry in Europe, will take place Tuesday, 6 October to Thursday, 8 October at the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, located next to Liseberg. This three-day event will feature a vibrant trade show floor filled with the latest products and services and more than 20 hours of educational sessions, forums, facility tours, leadership development, and networking events. The event is expected to attract more than 9,000 industry professionals from more than 100 countries. EAS is owned by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and managed by the IAAPA Europe office. Registration for the event is now open. Book now and save up to 50% using promo code EARLY. This discounted rate is only available in April and May.

EAS is the meeting point for the €8.6 billion European leisure and attractions industry. More than 425 companies will display their innovations across the show floor for the more than 6,000 buyers to experience first-hand. Buyers represent theme and amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, family entertainment centres, museums, carnivals, cultural attractions, casinos, resorts, arcades, golf centres, and more from throughout Europe.

In addition to the trade show, EAS 2015 will offer a diversified education programme with conference including presentations by some of Europe’s leading operators on innovative technologies, marketing and communications, entertainment, government relations, safety, food and beverage, games and merchandise, facility operations, human resources, and much more. EAS 2015 will also offer networking opportunities during the Opening Reception at Liseberg and behind-the-scenes tours to various attractions throughout Sweden.

EAS takes place in a different European country each year. “Taking EAS to North-Europe is a natural progression for IAAPA. Our strong relationships with Swedish organisations and parks makes Gothenburg is one of the best places to organise EAS 2015,” stated Karen Staley, vice president of IAAPA European Operations.

EAS 2015 will take place in the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, one the most effective venues for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions in Scandinavia. The centre also owns and operates Gothia Towers, one of the largest hotels in Scandinavia and one of Sweden’s largest restaurant operations, including the highly reputed Heaven 23 and Italianstyle Incontro. It is located in the city centre, next to Liseberg, one of the most visited destinations in Sweden with approximately 3.1 million visitors a year.

Additional details about EAS 2015 is available at www.IAAPA.org/EAS, and registration information is available at www.IAAPA.org/expos/euro-attractions-show/registration.

USA Pavilion Holds Grand Opening Ceremony at EXPO Milano 2015

Joe Kleiman
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USA Pavilion Holds Grand Opening Ceremony at EXPO Milano 2015

[quote]Over the next six months, our pavilion, ‘American Food 2.0 – United to Feed the Planet,’ will celebrate America’s contribution to global food security and will serve as a platform to address global issues, all the while introducing Expo’s visitors to the rich diversity of American cuisine. We do hope that many American visitors will travel to Milan to see the USA Pavilion and the Food Truck Nation and be proud of it.” — United States Ambassador to Italy John R. Phillips[/quote]

Milan, Italy /PRNewswire/ — Friends of the USA Pavilion Milano 2015 hosted the grand opening of theUSA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 on May 1.  Welcoming the first of the world fair’s anticipated 20 million visitors, theUSA Pavilion opened its large hangar doors with an official ribbon cutting ceremony and remarks from United States Ambassador to Italy John R. Phillips.

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A central component of the ceremony featured the U.S. Student Ambassadors; representing 94 American universities and serving as docents of the USA Pavilion, the students greeted visitors upon their arrival and guided them on a journey through state-of-the-art spaces.  Seeing the pavilion’s 7,200 square-foot vertical farm, American Food 2.0 exhibits and SmartGlass roof, visitors were introduced to the innovation, science and technology at work in the United States to develop solutions for global food security and sustainability.

Also opening its doors to Expo goers was the USA’s Food Truck Nation, located just a few paces away from the pavilion. This one-of-a-kind, edible exhibit features a series of food trucks offering regional American street food such as vegetarian hamburgers and lobster rolls. Those interested in getting a more gourmet taste of American Food 2.0 can reserve a seat at the James Beard American Restaurant at Seven Stars Galleria, located in the heart of Milan inside the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Serving as the centerpiece of the USA Pavilion’s culinary programming, the highly-anticipated restaurant features a rotating roster of renowned American and Italian guest chefs offering deluxe five-course meals. For reservations and the complete calendar of chefs, visit www.usapavilion2015.net/schedule.

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The USA Pavilion’s grand opening ceremony also included a performance by the United States Marine Corps Color Guard, followed by the United States national anthem and remarks from several U.S. dignitaries, including U.S. Consul General to Milan Philip Reeker and Ambassador Douglas Hickey, Commissioner General of the USAPavilion at EXPO 2015.  The evening continued with a private reception on the pavilion’s rooftop terrace, where sponsors, partners, U.S. government officials, and other special guests gathered for a special celebration toast.

“As United States Consul General in Milan, I am particularly proud to be here today at the opening of this global conversation. Milan is the place to be this year, and now you can see why. 2015 is also the year that the U.S. Consulate General in Milan celebrates its 150th anniversary. The Expo certainly makes a great birthday party, and this USA Pavilion is a birthday present we’re proud to share with you all!” U.S. Consul General to Milan, Ambassador Reeker said.

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Ambassador Douglas Hickey, Commissioner General of the USA Pavilion, stated: “We are pleased to welcome visitors from across the world to the USA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015. Focusing on innovation and technology, our pavilion will demonstrate the United States’ dedication to food security. We hope to engage visitors with our story and encourage open dialogue on the food issues impacting all of us. We especially look forward to convening with other country pavilions at Expo so we can together develop innovative solutions for feeding 9 billion nutritiously and sustainably.”

EXPO 2015 Architecture: National Pavilions A-M

Joe Kleiman
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EXPO 2015 Architecture: National Pavilions A-M

Following are renderings of the national pavilions at EXPO Milano 2015 for nations starting with the letters A-M.  A number of nations have been grouped together in thematic cluster pavilions, and these nations have been indicated on this list along with which cluster.  Those nations for which artwork or photographs of their national pavilions were not available have been listed without accompanying illustrations.

Afghanistan (Spices Cluster)

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Albania (Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster)

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Algeria (Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster)

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Angola

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Argentina

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Armenia

Austria

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Azerbaijan

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Bahrain

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Bangladesh (Rice Cluster)

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Belarus

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Belgium

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Benin (Fruits and Legumes Cluster)

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Bolivia (Cereals and Tubers Cluster)

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

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Brunel Darussalam (Spices Cluster)

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Bulgaria

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Burundi (Coffee Cluster)

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Cambodia (Rice Cluster)

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Cameroon (Cocoa and Chocolate Cluster)

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Cape Verde (Islands, Sea and Food Cluster)

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Caribbean Community (Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname – Islands, Sea and Food Cluster)

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Central African Republic

Chile

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China

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Columbia

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Comoros (Islands, Sea and Food Cluster)

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Congo (Cereals and Tubers Cluster)

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Côte D’Ivoire (Cocoa and Chocolate Cluster)

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Croatia

Cuba (Cocoa and Chocolate Cluster)

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Czech Republic

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Democratic Republic of the Congo (Fruits and Legumes Cluster)

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Djibouti (Arid Zones Cluster)

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Dominica

Dominican Republic (Coffee Cluster)

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Ecuador

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Egypt (Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster)

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El Salvador (Coffee Cluster)

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Equatorial Guinea (Fruits and Legumes Cluster)

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Eritrea (Arid Zones Cluster)

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Estonia

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Ethiopia (Coffee Cluster)

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France

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Gabon (Cocoa and Chocolate Cluster)

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Gambia (Fruits and Legumes Cluster)

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Georgia

Germany

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Ghana (Cocoa and Chocolate Cluster)

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Greece (Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster)

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Grenada

Guatemala (Coffee Cluster)

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Guinea (Fruits and Legumes Cluster)

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Guinea Bissau (Islands, Sea and Food Cluster)

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Haiti (Cereals and Tubers Cluster)

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Holy See

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Honduras

Hungary

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India

Indonesia

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Iraq

Ireland

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Islamic Republic of Iran

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Israel

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Italy

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Japan

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Jordan (Arid Zones Cluster)

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Kazakhstan

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Kenya (Coffee Cluster)

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Kuwait

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Kyrgyzstan (Fruits and Legumes Cluster)

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Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Rice Cluster)

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Lebanon (Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster)

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Liberia

Lithuania

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Madagascar (Islands, Sea and Food Cluster)

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Malaysia

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Maldives (Islands, Sea and Food Cluster)

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Mali (Arid Zones Cluster)

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Malta (Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster)

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Mauritania (Arid Zones Cluster)

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Mexico

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Micronesia

Moldova

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Monaco

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Mongolia

Montenegro (Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster)

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Morocco

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Mozambique (Cereals and Tubers Cluster)

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Myanmar (Rice Cluster)

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Pope Francis Among Dignitaries Opening EXPO Milano 2015

Joe Kleiman
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Pope Francis Among Dignitaries Opening EXPO Milano 2015

Milan, Italy (May 1, 2015) — Expo Milano 2015 has officially opened its doors to the twenty million visitors that are expected to come over the next six months. The official opening ceremony took place in the Open Air Theater, the large open space that will host concerts and official meetings until October 31, 2015.

The ceremony, hosted by Claudia Gerini and Marco Maccarini, began with one minute’s silence to commemorate the loss of life caused by the recent earthquake in Nepal.  First to take to the stage were the Ambassadors for Expo Milano 2015, Javier Zanetti, Martina Colombari, and Massimo Bottura.

Commissioner Giuseppe Sala thanked the workers who have contributed to the event

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Next, the welcome speech of Giuseppe Sala, Commissioner for Expo Milano 2015, which was translated simultaneously on big screens into both English and French.

“No fewer than 54 individual pavilions have been built by the participant countries, a result never to have happened before”, said Sala, “and, to allow countries with fewer economic means to participate, we have created nine Clusters, the collective pavilions grouped according to criteria related to theme Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life

“This Universal Exposition,” added Sala, “has been a great test of work organization, and will be a wonderful opportunity for the tourism sector.”

The Commissioner also thanked all those who made the event possible, from the President of the government’s Anti-Corruption squad, Raffaele Cantone, the BIE, the participating companies, to the Italian Government and the governments of the participating countries. Finally, Sala thanked the Ambassadors, including Emma Bonino, Ermanno Olmi, and Andrea Bocelli and all those who have worked to bring Expo Milano 2015 to fruition.

For six months, Milan will be home to the world

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Immediately after Sala’s presentation, it was Milan Mayor, Giuliano Pisapia’s turn to address the public. The Mayor urged the people of Milan to welcome tourists and visitors arriving during the six-month period with joy and engagement.

“Milan offers itself completely to welcome the world to our city. Expo Milano 2015 is designed to say to everyone on the planet that the hunger challenge can be beaten, that each of us can do something to stop the unsustainable exploitation of the planet. Come to Milan, we have organized over 20,000 events for you, and Milan will be home to all”.

The President of the Lombardy Region, Roberto Maroni, then took to the stage, and started by thanking all those who worked so hard to bring about Expo Milano 2015, and continued by saying: “All of us here feed the future. With the Universal Exhibition in Milan, the subject of food is at the center of the global debate on food security”.

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Another speaker was Ferdinand Nagy, President of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the French international intergovernmental organization founded in 1928 that has since managed the Universal Expositions.

“I offer my sincere thanks to the Italian government for the dedication it has demonstrated in creating this event, in its cooperation with the Participating Countries and the Italian and foreign institutions”, said Nagy. “It will be an event that is remembered for overcoming the challenges related to nutrition and hunger in the world.”

Pope Francis: “We must globalize solidarity”

The opening ceremony continued with the highly anticipated speech by Pope Francis, delivered via a video link from the Vatican.

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“Expo Milano 2015 is an opportunity to globalize solidarity. We must thank God for choosing this theme. The thousands of people who do not have enough to eat are the real stars of this event. Let us remember the words of John Paul XXIII, who said that the paradox of inequality still exists today and that we must stop abusing the garden that God has given us.”

The Pope wanted to celebrate May 1, remembering all the workers who have worked for the Universal Exhibition in Milan.

Following the Pontiff’s address, a delegation of workers carried the Italian flag onto the stage, accompanied by the Italian national anthem that concludes with the unusual, but auspicious words: “We are ready for life.”

Matteo Renzi: “Today Italy has awakened”

The ceremony that officially marked the start of Expo Milano 2015 ended with an address by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi , “Italy has awakened, we are ready for life,” stated the premier, referring back to the last line of the Italian national anthem.

“I would like to welcome everyone, and say thank you to all the workers,” said Renzi.

“Today, the future of a country with an extraordinary past begins, but also one that has a future that now embraces the world. Let’s show that Italy is proud of its roots, but also that our future is being written right now. Politics can no longer just take care of insiders. Let us make sure the Universal Exhibition in Milan is a place for discussion and solutions.”

In the acknowledgments made by the Prime Minister, Renzi recalled Letizia Moratti, the previous Mayor of Milan who,“first had the idea that Expo Milano 2015 could be a great opportunity for Italy”. The celebrations ended with Premier Renzi signing the Milan Charter, with the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic team performing a fly-past over the Exhibition site at the end of his speech.

PHOTOS: USA Pavilion Day Before Opening Milano EXPO 2015

Joe Kleiman
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PHOTOS: USA Pavilion Day Before Opening Milano EXPO 2015
Photos by and courtesy of Christian Lachel, BRC Imagination Arts.  Taken Milano EXPO 2015 site April 30, 2015.

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A story of best practices: BRC Imagination Arts and the EU Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015

Tales from the Expo – Lessons for world’s fair exhibitors: an IPM online book by James Ogul

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Frozen, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast to Highlight Expansions at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Joe Kleiman
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Frozen, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast to Highlight Expansions at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Urayusa, Chiba, Japan (April 28, 2015) — Oriental Land Co., Ltd. announced that several themes for the further development of the Disney parks at Tokyo Disney Resort have been decided. For Tokyo Disneyland Park, two of the areas within the Fantasyland redevelopment plan will be themed to the Disney films Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland.

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The overall theme for the new themed port at Tokyo DisneySea Park will be Scandinavia with a portion of the area being themed specifically to the world of the Disney film Frozen. These new areas will include attractions, restaurants and other facilities filled with enchantment that will enhance the Guest experience at Tokyo Disney Resort.

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The theme park development plans, first outlined in Oriental Land Group’s “2016 Medium-Term Business Plan” (for the period of March 2015 through March 2017) announced on April 28, 2014, include a 500-billion-yen level of investment in the theme park business over the next ten years. The plan for Tokyo Disneyland Park centers on the redevelopment of Fantasyland, which will nearly double the size of the themed land. For Tokyo DisneySea Park, the new eighth themed port will be developed in the expansion site located south of Lost River Delta.

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Oriental Land Co. will proceed in the redevelopment of Fantasyland and the development of the new themed port and expects to decide within 2015 on the themes and facilities for all of the areas.

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