Connecting Minds and Creating the Future through Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity
THE WORLD EXPOS: WHERE THE PLANET CELEBRATES HUMAN PROGRESS TOGETHER
1862, London. The Analytical Engine, the earliest prototype of the computer | 1876, Philadelphia. The telephone | 1939, New York. The first live TV broadcast | 1962, Seattle. IBM’s Shoebox, a computer responding to voice commands | 1970, Osaka. Mobile phone technology.
These were some of the latest technologies and inventions of the time showcased at Expos or World Fairs of the past. The World Expo as an event has always thrilled the public with such displays of technological and scientific progress and entertained it with the best arts and culture that nations and peoples have to offer. In fact, the above list of technology-firsts leaves out such delights as the introductory debut appearance of popcorn and Heinz Ketchup at Philadelphia, 1876, and ice cream cones in St Louis, 1904!
All of which begs the question: what exactly are these Expos or World Fairs?
Let’s hear it from the intergovernmental overseers and regulators of the event the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE): “ Expos are global events dedicated to finding solutions to fundamental challenges facing humanity by offering a journey inside a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities. Organised and facilitated by governments and bringing together countries and international organisations (Official Participants), these major public events are unrivalled in their ability to gather millions of visitors, create new dynamics and catalyse change in their host cities ”
The BIE goes on to describe the Expo as “a platform for international dialogue in favour of progress and cooperation, an immersive and engaging journey into a key theme, a unique platform for public diplomacy and nation branding, a catalyst for change, and a window of and to the world.”
The World Expos are thus festivals of humanity that celebrate the human spirit in all its glory every five years. They are events that have something for everyone, be it the public or, indeed, businesses.
Dubai will be hosting Expo 2020 between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022. Over 190 countries will have their pavilions set up across a dedicated 438-hectare site. That is over 4 square kilometres housing 400 buildings all linked with state-of-the-art connectivity and including countries, companies and organizations, and over 200 food and beverage outlets. It will attract 300,000 visitors a day cumulating to 25 million visitors over the six-month period. No wonder it is billed as The World’s Greatest Show.
The theme of Dubai Expo 2020 is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating The Future’. The focus is on collaborations and partnerships to build the better world of the future. There are three sub themes running within the main theme: Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity. Each is a substantial pillar of thematic focus and has its own district and pavilion.
Dubai Expo 2020 is a 182-day festival for the world to gather in celebration of human progress. It’s the ultimate convergence of entertainment and enterprise, of science and society, of technology and transactions, and of culture and commerce. The whole world will be there connecting, collaborating, and creating opportunities.
Your business must too!
Participating in Dubai Expo 2020 benefits businesses in many ways.
It opens the UAE and the wider region as a market by improving your understanding of these geographies. It also enables you to connect with important global networks. Expo 2020 Dubai provides the opportunity to gain global attention and build brand awareness and corporate profile in emerging and fast-growing markets and a chance to make international connections and contacts.
Businesses can grab global business opportunities via the Expo 2020 Online Marketplace (OMP). With 20000+ companies registered from 140+ countries, the OMP is the largest network of its kind in the region. It enables businesses to showcase and market themselves globally and connect with potential partners and collaborators. And it is free!
Companies can also connect with other international business attendees via the Expo 2020 B2B app. The app enables companies to find other businesses aligned with their goals and needs and thus solves the problem of meeting the right people at such a mega-large-scale event as the Expo 2020.
Dubai Expo 2020 is also the perfect place to explore the latest trends and thinking, and gain knowledge and insights for your business from some of the smartest people and organizations in the world. The Expo’s Theme Weeks are an especially rich source of knowledge on domains of increasing importance not only to societies but also for emerging commercial opportunities. The themes are Space, Water, Climate and Biodiversity, Urban and Rural Development, Tolerance and Inclusivity, the Golden Jubilee (humanitarianism, environment, sustainability), Knowledge and Learning, Travel and Connectivity, Health and Wellness, Global Goals and Food, Agriculture and Livelihood.
Trade shows at the Expo 2020 Dubai Exhibition Centre provide a platform for businesses to gain exposure, to network and connect, and engage with other businesses. The UAE is already at the forefront of the trade show world and with the Expo, these events will be even bigger. Highlights include GITEX Technology Week (Oct 2021), Gulfood Manufacturing (Nov 2021), the Dubai Airshow (Nov 2021), Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (Jan 2022), Arab Health (Jan 2022) and Gulfood (Feb 2022)
The Expo is also a fantastic opportunity to build and enhance stakeholder relationships via the many events on offer. As a business, you can entertain valued or potential customers at outstanding food outlets, cultural events, and the like. This can be done strategically, say, dining on cuisine based on your business’s home country or hosting an event linked to your product.
These are but only a handful of reasons why your business should be part of Dubai Expo 2020.
We at MBG Corporate Services will be there at the Dubai Expo 2020 in full strength. It will be our pleasure to help and guide you through the event as you look to achieve your business goals. Come and be part of The World’s Greatest Show with one of the region’s best and leading business services firm.
DUBAIABU DHABISHARJAH
+971 526406240
+971 526406240