ABOVE: UK Pavilion. Courtesy British Council.
Special Report by James Ogul
(April 17, 2015) — With the opening schedule May 1, just a few weeks away, construction on the Expo Site is proceeding at a frantic pace. Reports indicate that the site of the showpiece event is still a mass of trucks raising dust and workers in hard hats racing to finish building after delays, graft and cost overruns. This article provides a good summary of where things stand.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/italy-pins-hopes-on-milan/1780224.html
As for the U.S. Participation, its $50-$60 million dollar pavilion is in the last stages of preparation. Charlie Faas the U.S. Pavilion’s CEO reports “The USA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 will be open for business on May1st when the overall Expo opens to the public. It will be an amazing experience.”
There is high-level awareness too at the White House. In Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Renzi of Italy in Joint Press Conference held today, the President acknowledged the expo stating “When it comes to Italian lifestyle, I think that next year’s meeting in Milan at the Expo 2015 is going to be of utmost mportance. We’re talking there about food, the environment, innovation, and that, of course, is all part of our way of living, and it will be a wonderful opportunity for Italy to host countries from all over the world.”
Since retiring from the US State Department in 2011 after a 30+ year career in world expos, James Ogul has remained on the scene in an advisory and consulting role. He writes regularly for InPark Magazine about world’s fairs.