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Milan to Host World Expo 2015BY KRISTEN MAAGOn March 31, 2008, it became official.The Bureau of International Expositions(BIE) -- the international body createdin Paris in 1928 to regulate thequality and quantity of the UniversalExpositions held every five years --chose Milan, Italy over Turkish rival cityIzmir to host the World Expo in 2015.Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life willbe the theme showcased during MilanExpo 2015, which will run from May1st through October 31st.The Expo, or World’s Fair as it waspreviously known, refers to the seriesof non-commercial internationalexhibitions which have been held sincethe mid 19th century. Milan Expo 2015will feature an estimated 180 exhibitorshailing from 120 guest countries, 10international organizations, 21 Italianorganizations, and 30 international businesses. Some seventhousand events are scheduled to take place on the topic ofsustainable food development and a variety of sub-themesrelated to food safety, security, quality, innovation, education,solidarity, and cultural appreciation.In supporting its candidacy, Italy cited its expertise in organizinginternational events like the 2006 Winter Olympic Games,hospitality toward important international agencies includingFAO and WFP, excellent infrastructure, strong support for the bidat the highest political levels, and extremely rich food culture.The city of Milan (as well as the surrounding Region ofLombardy) -- heralded as a “fine example of balance betweenlabour, economic growth, human relations, and nutrition” --will be the proud host of World Expo 2015. In addition tobeing the wealthiest and most economically developed Regionin Italy, it contributes some 22% of all Italian food exports andboasts a significant organic farming industry. These uniquecharacteristics, along with Milan’s central location in Europe,rich transportation network, cosmopolitan flavor, prestigiousresearch centers and universities, and cultural and artisticjewels helped the Northern Italian city secure its bid for thisprestigious event focused on sustainable food development.In presenting its bid, the city of Milan relied on the expertise ofFiera Milano S.p.a., Italy’s foremost fair company and a majorworld player which hosts some 80 international exhibitionsa year at two main facilities encompassing approximately520,000 sq. meters of exhibition space. Sviluppo SistemaFiera -- the engineering and contracting company establishedMilan's Mayor, Letizia Moratti (photo by Gianni Congiu)by the Fiera Milano Group in 2001 -- was chosen by theMilan City Council to handle the master plan for Milan Expo2015.The Expo area, which will be located on a site covering anestimated 1.7 million sq. meters just northwest of Milan’scity center in Rho-Pero, will include the state-of-the-art FieraMilano exhibition center in Rho along with a series of parksand gardens. Ferruccio Ferranti, the managing director ofSviluppo Sistema Fiera, reiterated that the new structureswill feature eco-compatible solutions and the latest in greentechnology designed to reduce environmental impact andmaximize energy savings. In line with the theme of the Expo,he described the project as “an urban settlement inspired bythe criteria of liveability and quality of life, sustainability, andrespect for energy resources.”At a time when Milan, Fiera Milano, and Italy are preparing towelcome an estimated 29 million visitors during World Expo2015, national pride is high. “This will be a Universal Expofor the world,” exclaimed Milan’s Mayor, Letizia Moratti,shortly after the city’s candidature had been confirmed.“This victory should help us reawaken some national pride.Right now, I feel proud to be an Italian. Tomorrow, a newstage begins.”(Sources: Expo Milan 2015 Official Website, http://www.milanoexpo-2015.com/; Fiera Milano News,http://www.fieramilanonews.it/on-line/en/Home.html)..35