FAQs

Why is Edmonton bidding?

An EXPO, in conjunction with Canada's 150th anniversary, would showcase our country, province, and city.
The knowledge generated by exploring the theme will position Alberta and Canada as innovators and leaders in the global dialogue around the theme.
Hosting an EXPO provides an opportunity to accelerate our infrastructure and create lasting legacies.
Edmonton is an economic leader. Our province is an economic powerhouse. We are a leader in the environment.
In surveying last summer, Edmontonians, Albertans, and Canadians showed support for an Edmonton bid (83 percent of Albertans and Canadians supported an Edmonton bid).

How many people are working on the bid?

The bid is led by a 14-member bid committee and supported by 60 members on sub-committees. These individuals, with varied backgrounds and experiences, have generously volunteered their time and creativity.
The bid has a core group of four full-time employees, supported by expertise within the City of Edmonton and University of Alberta.
Consultants were engaged to provide expertise and support the development of the bid.

When will we know if we have won the bid?

Edmonton EXPO 2017 submitted its bid to the Province of Alberta and Canadian Heritage on the November 30, 2009 deadline.
The Canadian bid city decision is expected in 2010.
The international competition follows. The earliest Canada can submit its bid is in June 2011.
The host city will be voted on by delegates to the International Exhibitions Bureau in the fall of 2012.

What is the cost of hosting EXPO 2017?

There are many variables involved in calculating the cost of hosting EXPO, including site and theme considerations.
Based on our business plan, the total estimated gross investment to host EXPO 2017 is $2.3 billion in 2009 dollars, including capital cost, operating cost, legacy fund, participating nation subsidies and bid cost.
The legacies of EXPO will go beyond the summer of 2017. There are social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefits and legacies. For example, infrastructure could come in the form of the physical (landmark structures or buildings) and intellectual (centres of excellence).
The City of Edmonton's portion is $500,000 in 2010.

Where will the money to fund EXPO come from? How would you go about securing the significant money needed to host EXPO?

How much revenue will EXPO generate for Edmonton?

Projections depend on numerous variables, including promotion of the EXPO, admission costs, and the state of the economy.
Based on the business plan, total EXPO revenue is projected to be $127 million (2009 dollars), including admission ($100 million), and food and beverage, merchandising, recreation zone ($27 million). These revenues will offset the operating cost of EXPO. An additional $100 million is projected in corporate sponsorship.

How did EXPO '67 in Montreal and EXPO '86 in Vancouver do financially?

The actual attendance to EXPO '67 was 50 million. The better-than-expected attendance revenue reduced the EXPO's debt significantly to below the original estimates. The final revenues were $220 million, costs were $430 million, and the deficit was $210 million (1967 dollars).
The attendance to EXPO '86 was 22 million. The revenues were $491 million, costs were $802 million, and the deficit was $311 million (1986 dollars). The deficit was paid off by a provincial lottery and the sale of the site, which has become a successful urban development.
Both Montreal and Vancouver held six-month EXPOs. The categorization of and regulations on EXPOs have changed since then. To learn about the current categories and regulations, click here.

Did Montreal not just finish paying for its EXPO '67 debt recently?

What are the benefits and legacies of EXPO?

There will be a positive economic benefit that will inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Edmonton, Alberta and Canada.
This milestone event will transform civic pride and community spirit. EXPO 2017 will make an impression on Alberta's capital city that current and future generations will talk about, participate in and look back at with pride and fondness.
Edmonton, Alberta and Canada will be positioned on the international stage as leaders in energy and sustainability creating a knowledge legacy through such activities as pre-EXPO symposia, educational and cultural exchanges, centres of excellence, idea incubators, and scholarships.
Canada's 150th anniversary offers the opportunity for EXPO to celebrate and enhance Canada's identity, its cultural diversity, rich Aboriginal heritage, and promote the arts and culture.

Why is this theme recommended?

Energy is important to all of humanity - whether it is electricity powering a supercomputer or wood fueling the fire that cooks a meal in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is a theme that will resonate with the world; energy will continue to be required in our world, but the energy we use and how we use it must be balanced with the health of the planet.

Is this the theme line that will be presented to the rest of the world?

This is only the beginning of a process to develop the theme. Once Canada decides to submit an EXPO bid to the BIE, the theme will continue to evolve and sub-themes will be added that provide more structure to the EXPO. This work happens through research, collaboration with key stakeholders, symposia with experts and consultation with other nations.

What is the purpose of the theme?

The theme becomes the guide for the content of the EXPO. It determines what topics will be explored in each of the pavilions, forms the basis for symposiums and conferences, and comes to life in the arts and culture aspects of EXPO.

Is it meant to be an 'oil and gas' theme - traditionally what we think of when we say energy?

The recommended theme is founded on the ideas of energy and sustainability - but is broad enough to encompass many definitions of energy (types, sources) and allow discussion on a myriad of energy issues (equity in access, knowledge sharing, balance between economics of energy and the environment).

This feels like a topic for developed nations, how will developing nations participate with this recommended theme?

Development of energy resources is essential for agriculture, transportation, waste collection, information technology, and communications - all prerequisites of a developed society. Consider the idea of energy equity - who has it, who needs it, who uses it, and how. Imagine if there was greater equity in energy access, so that people in developing nations did not spend the majority of their day gathering wood to get the energy to meet their basic needs - food, sterile water, etc.

How will the average visitor to EXPO get excited about this recommended theme?

We are poised on the brink of discovery in energy - EXPO 2017 could be an EXPO where phenomenal innovations are revealed to the world... life-changing innovations like the telephone was at Philadelphia's World's Fair in 1876. Concern for the planet is universal. We have already seen the public's keen interest in innovations that limit impact on the environment - hybrid vehicles, solar power, wind power, etc.

How will this recommended theme be good for Alberta? We are already criticized for our role in the energy industry.

This recommended theme can be a catalyst for the development of Alberta as world leaders in energy and sustainability. Alberta could become a centre of excellence in research, innovation, and education. The world could look to this country and province as the knowledge centre in energy and environmental sustainability.