Edmonton Day to showcase EXPO 2017 bid

In an effort to increase awareness of Edmonton and Alberta and the intent to compete for EXPO 2017, Edmonton is taking centre stage for Edmonton Day celebrations in the Canada Pavilion at Shanghai EXPO 2010 on September 1st.

"This is a prime opportunity for us to showcase what Edmonton and Alberta have to offer the world, as well as to highlight why Edmonton is the best choice to host EXPO 2017," says Randy Ferguson, a member of the EXPO 2017 Bid Committee.

Edmonton Day will feature an evening reception that will showcase the EXPO bid, Alberta entertainers, and Alberta beef. Entertainers scheduled to perform include award-winning country music star Paul Brandt and the Harpe Jazz Trio, an Edmonton-based trio.

Invited guests include representatives from the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) nations and the pavilions at EXPO 2010. Other guests will include representatives from the Government of China and the Shanghai business community.

Since May's announcement of support from the Government of Alberta, the Edmonton EXPO 2017 team has focused its efforts on developing the international bid which will be submitted to the BIE in June 2011. The proposed theme is Energy and Our Planet.

"We want to initiate a global discussion on this critical issue, as well as challenge people around the world to think about energy differently," Ferguson says. "We want people to think about energy in the broadest sense including human, intellectual, creative, and other kinds of energy."

Deputy Mayor Jane Batty will also participate in Edmonton Day. She echoes Ferguson's comments about this being a great way to increase awareness of Edmonton. "Canada's Approved Destination status in the China tourism market makes this a prime opportunity to increase efforts to attract visitors to Edmonton and Alberta by showing them all that the city has to offer." The approved destination status is expected to increase the annual rate of travel to Canada from China by up to 50 per cent by 2015. The first delegation from China organized under this new status visited Edmonton and Alberta the week of August 23.