Host City: What is the main benefit for a city hosting an AIPH approved expo?

Tim Briercliffe: AIPH approved expos are international spectacles with the ability to stimulate economic and social development and transform the international reputation of host cities. As much as to create a showcase for national and international attention, these expos are often staged as part of a development or redevelopment strategy of the host city.

Each expo lasts up to six months, sites range from 50 to over 500 hectares in size and they can attract as many as 16 million visitors. The legacy of an expo is long and far-reaching with benefits for business and trade, research and development, employment and education, the physical and mental health of citizens and social cohesion.

Host City: What is the most important factor you are looking for in the hosts of your expos?

Tim Briercliffe: AIPH partners with cities that share our vision of a healthier future for urban citizens. Alongside this vision, these cities need the commitment and dedication to make such a vision a reality.

AIPH is the world’s champion for the power of plants and believes that our relationship with nature is fundamental to our future. The AIPH network provides the knowledge and expertise to support a city in creating better and cleaner urban environments and in gaining global recognition as a green city.

What are your expectations of Host City 2019?

Tim Briercliffe: Host City 2019 is a great opportunity to meet a community of visionary, entrepreneurial and innovative thinkers committed to the development or regeneration of their cities. Welcoming this community to the AIPH network helps us to advance our hopes for a world where the essential value of plants is recognised and reflected in every step forward for humanity.

Tim Briercliffe is speaking at Host City 2019, the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, on 26-27 November in Glassgow. Register here

Since the 1950s, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has been approving international horticultural exhibitions as the pre-requisite for an event to receive the recognition of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE). Through this official approval process, hosting countries and regions gain the ability to invite the participation of other nations through the very highest diplomatic channels.

In 1960 the first AIPH-approved international horticultural expo was held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Over the ensuing sixty years, AIPH has approved thirty A1 world horticultural expos, around the globe, attracting millions of visitors for the benefit of gaining knowledge and inspiration of the positive power that plants and flowers have on the lives of a region’s population.

The Floriade legacy

Profusely aware of the multitude of benefits that world horticultural expos bring to a host region, the Netherlands hold a Floriade every ten years. In 2022, Expo Floriade Almere will be the sixth international horticultural expo to be held in the country.

Floriades play a critical role in the development or regeneration of a city. Hosting a Floriade stimulates significant regional infrastructure investment which initiates a boost to the region’s trade, industry, international relations and even education.

Floriade 2012, held in Venlo, testifies to the long-term benefits a region can reap from hosting an international horticultural expo. Since hosting the Floriade, Venlo has experience on-going levels of economic growth above the national average. The project also led to the establishment of two new university campus sites which today attract talent and skills, of all age groups, to the region. The location has become a thriving community of development and innovation.

Hosting the expo also provided a powerful means for branding the region, achieving national and international recognition and establishing a strong and purposeful reputation. Venlo is now familiar not only to the horticulture industry but also beyond. Obtaining a strong sense of regional identity also had the impact of strengthening a sense of social cohesion within the area. As a ‘cradle-to-cradle’, project Floriade 2012 has created significant lasting benefits across numerous areas, including employment, innovation and education, for many generations to come.
 

The AIPH Green City Concept

Alongside AIPH’s role for approving international horticultural exhibitions, AIPH’s work in Green City involves spreading awareness of the AIPH Green City Concept and supporting city greening through AIPH Green City Guidelines. The objectives of international horticultural exhibitions are synergistic with AIPH’s Green City work. The growing imperative to address salient issues of climate change, air pollution, biodiversity, mental health and social cohesion can be directly addressed through the development of green cities. As stronger evidence builds daily to prove the direct correlation between plants and flowers and a healthier and happier place to live and work, cities around the world are embracing the concept of city greening. Through AIPH’s Green City Concept and approved international horticultural exhibitions, AIPH supports cities in developing their genuine commitment to becoming an internationally recognised green city. AIPH’s global platform for disseminating knowledge; sharing studies, research and best practices; for enabling discussion and encouraging networking offers the unique opportunity for galvanising the pace of ‘living green’ infrastructure development with the multitude of benefits this brings to a region.

Four categories of AIPH-approved horticultural exhibitions

AIPH approves horticultural exhibitions for large public audiences, smaller public audiences and industry only. Approved horticultural events are categorised into four different classes: A1, B, C and D.

A1: World Horticultural Exhibitions

A1 class events are major, large scale world horticultural exhibitions that are held for a long duration of three to six months. AIPH approval and subsequent BIE recognition gives organisers the authority to invite the participation of other countries through the highest diplomatic channels. A country is allowed to organise one A1 horticulture exhibition every ten years. The minimum exhibition area is 50ha, the minimum number of participating counties is 10 and applications are required 12 to 6 years before the event opens. AIPH approved A1 exhibitions have been held in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Turkey, Japan, China and Thailand.

The next AIPH Approved (A1) world horticultural expos are:

Expo 2019 Beijing, China

Expo 2021 Doha, Qatar

Expo 2022 Floriade Almere, the Netherlands

Expo 2024 Łódż, Poland
 

B: International Horticultural Exhibitions

B class events are horticultural exhibitions with international participation, held for three to six months. These are organised more at city level, rather than involving national governments. International participation is secured through city to city contact. The minimum exhibition area is 25ha, the minimum number of participating counties is 10 and applications are required 10 to 3 years before the event opens. AIPH approved B class events have been held in France, Germany, China, Japan and Canada.

C: International Horticultural Shows

C class events are held for the purpose of inspiring and entertaining the public. They are held for a period of between four to twenty days. The minimum exhibition area is 6,000m² and the minimum number of participating countries is 6. Applications are required 5 to 0.5 years before the opening of an established show and 5 – 1 years before the opening of a new or non-annual show. AIPH approved shows include Floralies in Nantes, France.

D: International Horticultural Trade Exhibitions

D class events promote trade, innovation, development, knowledge sharing and networking in the global horticulture industry. These B2B events are often held annually and there are no restrictions on their duration.  A minimum of 60 per cent of exhibitors must be involved in horticultural production or supply, exhibitions can incorporate symposia and applications are required 5 to 0.5 years before the opening of an established exhibition and 5 to 1 years before the opening of a new or non-annual exhibition. AIPH approved trade exhibitions include Flormart (Italy) and GreenTech (the Netherlands).

Bringing cities to life

All AIPH-approved events are regulated, monitored, supported and promoted by AIPH to ensure that the highest possible standards and recognition are achieved for the benefit of organisers, participants, visitors and citizens of the hosting region.

AIPH is committed to championing the power of plants around the world and welcomes the partnership of any city that is committed to developing its horticulture industry, ‘living green’ infrastructure and has the ambition to bring the AIPH Green City Concept to life.

This article first appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of Host City magazine. Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General of the International Association of Horticultural Producers is speaking at Host City 2019

In 2020, Dubai will host the biggest event in the history of the Arab World: the first World Expo ever held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Our theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, is based on the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas coming together in new and unique ways.

With 25 million visits expected between 20 October, 2020 and 10 April, 2021 and more than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions, it is not difficult to see how Expo 2020 is ‘Connecting Minds’.

But how are we ‘Creating the Future’? We believe a World Expo should leave a lasting impact on the path of human progress, and we are working to realise this vision across various dimensions.

From the very beginning, Expo 2020 has been committed to building a legacy that is meaningful and sustainable, extending its impact and benefits beyond the UAE to the wider region and the rest of the world. Expo 2020’s long-term approach is based on four pillars: physical, economic, social and reputational.

Integrated community

Expo 2020 will take place on a 4.38 sq km masterplanned site inspired by our core theme. Al Wasl Plaza, which takes its name from the Arabic term for ‘the connection’, is the site’s centrepiece. It connects three Themed Districts, each of which is dedicated to one of our key subthemes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. A large part of our physical strategy involves the site’s transformation immediately after the World Expo into District 2020 – a highly accessible, well connected and integrated urban development that will continue our mission to Connect, Create and Innovate.

District 2020 will be a world-class integrated community, building on the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai and supporting the acceleration of Dubai’s development. It has been carefully planned to support the UAE’s future vision by supporting sustainable economic development, moving towards an innovation-driven economy and creating a business environment that directly encourages progress within key growth industries.

It has been designed to offer a new urban experience at the cutting edge of modern working and living, and to promote a collaborative and innovation-driven business ecosystem that encourages a sustainable, healthy and balanced lifestyle. It will include a variety of residential and commercial spaces in a location that will become home to innovation, educational and entertainment facilities, parks, health and leisure amenities, as well as a Conference and Exhibition Centre (CoEx) developed by Dubai World Trade Centre.

It will be one of the most connected places on the planet. Located near Al Maktoum International Airport, the community will be connected to Dubai Metro via a dedicated station and major highways, making it easily accessible from all of the UAE’s air and sea ports.

Permanent presence

District 2020 will reuse 80 per cent of Expo 2020’s built environment and many aspects of the Expo 2020 masterplan have been designed with dual purposes in mind. The Sustainability Pavilion, one of the iconic Expo 2020 signature pavilions, will remain as a world-class Children and Science Centre, continuing its mission to encourage appreciation of science and nature among visitors and residents, particularly youth, for years to come.

While the CoEx will provide 45,000 sqm of exhibition space during the World Expo, this will be increased to 180,000 sqm for District 2020, spurring on Dubai’s evolution as a leading global destination for events, conferences and exhibitions.

Two multinational giants have already committed to establishing a permanent presence within District 2020. Siemens will base its global headquarters for airports, cargo and ports logistics at the site, while Accenture will open a digital hub.

District 2020 will also be home to an array of social and cultural attractions and recreational spaces. It will retain the iconic Al Wasl Plaza, the site’s 150-metre diameter centrepiece, which will feature a 67.5-metre tall domed trellis inspired by Expo 2020’s logo.

Expo 2020 will also spur significant long-term economic growth. Our business-focused tools and outreach programmes are engaging firms of all sizes, including a particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as we understand they are the backbone of any economy. Our new Online Marketplace also connects businesses and suppliers not only to our partners but also to each other, creating a platform unlike no other in the region.

More than 20,000 companies from 140 countries, including more than 14,100 SMEs, have already registered on the Expo 2020 Dubai e-Sourcing Portal. Last year, more than AED 10.8 billion of Expo construction contracts and AED 411 million of non-construction contracts were awarded. To date, Expo has awarded a total of 3,093 contracts, with more than half going to SMEs, helping them to grow their futures.

By building ties that will remain well beyond 2020, Expo will continue to contribute to new business generation, GDP growth and job creation across the region for generations to come.

Bringing the world together

Expo 2020 will also strengthen the UAE’s reputation on the international stage by demonstrating the country’s capacity to bring the world together. It will not only highlight the UAE as an inclusive, diverse, tolerant, safe and cooperative nation, but also showcase the great potential of the wider region to the rest of the world.

From a social perspective, Expo 2020 is an opportunity to inspire, empower and involve our youth, enabling young people to expand their horizons. It will encourage an understanding of – and an interest in – key drivers of future progress in line with our three subthemes.

The MEASA region boasts a substantial youth population with an enormous wealth of potential. Our youth are the innovators and thought leaders of tomorrow, so we are working to harness and nurture their talent as the new stewards of our planet.

The next World Expo is an immense opportunity to create an integrated ecosystem that will continue to attract businesses, visitors and residents long into the future. It is a festival for all that brings the world together, but its impact will extend far beyond the six months of the event. Expo 2020 is one of many steps along the road to ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

This article first appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of Host City magazine

Expo 2020 Dubai will award 47 construction contracts worth $3 billion in 2017 as preparations for the Middle East’s first world expo continues to gather pace.

A further 98 non-construction contracts totalling more than $98 million will also be distributed before the end of the year. These will range from legal advisory services to event management and merchandising.

The construction contracts for 2017, which are open to local, regional and international businesses, include the third and final infrastructure package for the event’s support areas.

Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “We are committed to working with leading businesses from across the world in order to deliver an exceptional event of this scale, on time and on budget.

“This is particularly true when it comes to the development of the physical site, which will live on long beyond 2021 to become an anchor for the UAE’s developing knowledge economy in Dubai South.

“But just as importantly, the non-construction contracts to be procured this year will allow us to spread the investment made in the Expo as far as possible and enable local, regional and international businesses of all sizes to be part of what will be the most inclusive and international event in Expo history.”

In 2016, Expo 2020 Dubai awarded more than 1,200 contracts, investing more than $544.5 million in the economy. This included the appointment of an Orascom-Besix joint venture at the end of the year to develop the deep infrastructure at the Expo site in Dubai South. Once complete, the site will cover 4.38 square kilometres and host up to 300,000 people a day between October 2020 and April 2021.

Ahmed Al Khatib, vice president of real estate and delivery, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “While 2016 was an important year for design, 2017 is when the momentum of construction will really build, ahead of international participants beginning work on their pavilions in 2018.

“These important contracts will help us meet our target of completing the majority of construction with a year to go before Expo 2020 Dubai opens its doors in October 2020, providing the opportunity for all-important readiness testing.”

UK-based power generation company Aggreko plc announced on 26^th January that it will join Shell and Vitol as sponsors of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Under the theme of Future Energy, Expo 2017 will bring together representation from more than 100 countries, along with international organisations and the private sector to demonstrate the latest developments in renewable energy and sustainable society.

“Kazakhstan is a strategic growth market for Aggreko so Expo 2017 is a great opportunity to showcase our expertise within a truly international event focused on the development of future energy solutions. Our innovative power generation systems are a great enabler to support the evolution towards a more diverse and sustainable energy generation mix,” said Chris Weston, Chief Executive, Aggreko plc.

Department for International Trade Minister, Greg Hands, said: “The UK has the expertise to lead the way in securing stable, cleaner future energy supplies. The UK Pavilion at Astana Expo 2017 will help demonstrate that leadership and as an internationally recognised innovator with strong ties to the region, Aggreko is an ideal sponsor to help make this happen.”

Aggreko’s range of power generation applications helps to facilitate a smoother transition towards increased renewable penetration in national grid networks. This includes balancing renewables via flexible, mobile generation to supplement renewable generation, the commissioning of large scale renewables projects, generating power from flare-gas and providing power through solar hybrid technology.  

Expo 2017 takes place between June 10 and September 10.

Manchester in northern England is urging the new UK government, formed after the “Brexit” referendum, to put forward its bid for the 2025 World Expo.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said it is “encouraging the government to seize the opportunity for a global shop window to demonstrate that the UK is open for business and committed to international trade following the referendum vote to leave the European Union”.

“It’s more important than ever that the UK takes it places on a world stage to compete for investment, exports and visitors,” said Tony Lloyd, interim Mayor of Greater Manchester.

“World Expo 2025 would be the perfect platform on which to do so and we believe Greater Manchester would offer an ideal option." 

Other UK cities have looked into staging the event. London conducted a feasibility study following meetings in 2014, while Liverpool was the only UK city to have a presence at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

The UK and any other bidding countries will need to put forward their candidate city by the 31 October 2016.

In the Netherlands, Rotterdam has been working on a bid. The project has the support of Rabobank Executive Board member Jan van Nieuwenhuizen, who says, “Young people want to give meaning to their lives... The Expo should inspire this generation of the future.”

France is considering a bid for 2025 World Expo, with Paris Mayor Anne Hildago and President Hollande having given their support. However, Paris is also bidding for the 2024 Olympic Games and staging both events in consecutive years would be an unprecedented challenge.

The Japanese city of Osaka, which hosted the 1970 World Expo, is also reported to be bidding for the 2025 edition - which would come five years after Tokyo's staging of the Olympic Games.

Toronto, which hosted a successful Pan-American Games in 2015, is also evaluating an Expo bid. However, city mayor John Tory has said he will only back the bid if the government gives assurance that they will cover any shortfall in private sector funding, and local support for such a publicly funded project is just 22 per cent. In order to bid, Canada would also need to rejoin the BIE.

Proponents of the Manchester bid say it is an opportunity to rebalance the national economy by reviving the “Northern Powerhouse” regional development strategy proposed by the previous government.

The Expo would take place on a 250-acre (110 ha) industrial site at Ashton Moss in Tameside, less than 10km from Manchester city centre and within 15km of Manchester airport.

“This bid has already been seen by Treasury who recognise its value but were not at the time of the last budget in a position to back it,” said Jake Berry, MP for nearby Rossendale and Darwen.

“If our new Prime Minister Theresa May is serious about continuing with the Northern Powerhouse it’s big ideas like 2025 Expo that the Government has to give its support to.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to rebalance our economy and promote the Northern Powerhouse as a global brand. The Government saw fit to spend £9bn on bringing the Olympics to London. This seems to be a better investment.”

The north of England is also working towards the first “Great Exhibition of the North” in 2018, with Blackpool, Bradford, Newcastle-Gateshead or Sheffield due to be named as the host this autumn. 

World Expos takes place every five years and last for six months.  The cost of staging the 2025 World Expo in the UK has been estimated to be more than £1bn, but the Greater Manchester Combined Authority points out that recent World Expos have all more than covered costs through ticketing revenues and that “private sector contributions” could be explored for 2025.

The next World Expo will be held in Dubai in 2020. Looking beyond 2025, the Korean city of Busan has already stated its intention to bid for the 2030 World Expo.

Following its launch in April 2016, the programme attracted in excess of 2,700 applications, reflecting the high level of interest in Expo 2020 amongst the nation’s young people. From these, 150 candidates were invited to assessment days that began last month at the Expo site in Dubai South. Expo 2020 Dubai took an innovative approach to these workshops, using a series of engaging challenges and tasks to evaluate candidates on criteria that included leadership, teamwork and their ability to identify and solve problems under pressure. 
Ila Kuntum, an Indonesian engineering student currently completing her Masters of Science at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said, “I really enjoyed the fact that the assessment included group-based activities. It showed us how real-life, quick decision scenarios play out, and highlighted our strengths and weaknesses.”
Emirati Marketing graduate, Ayesha Sharaf, and Farshied Jabarkhyl, who has studied in both the UK and UAE, described the day as “very challenging and unlike any other assessment I have ever taken part in. It taught us the importance of being open minded to other people’s opinions and ideas and was a great chance to meet new people.” 
Candidates were then scored on their performance and around 50 were invited to attend a further round of one-to-one interviews with senior members of the Expo 2020 team, including the heads of the 19 departments offering work placements.
Commenting on the programme, Manal AlBayat, Vice President of Engagement, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “The Apprenticeship Programme is an important part of our commitment to engage and empower young people through our journey leading up to Expo 2020 Dubai. We were heartened to see such a high demand from a diverse group of applicants and particularly impressed by the high quality of applications received.”
“The feedback from candidates that have taken part at the various stages of this process demonstrates the value of this experience. Those that are selected for the programme will develop useful competencies for their future career development, and will be important contributors to Expo 2020 Dubai’s educational and economic legacy. We are all looking forward to welcoming the first cohort later this year.”
The Apprenticeship Programme is aligned with the UAE Government’s Youth Empowerment Strategy. It also reflects Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, and addresses one of the Expo’s subthemes, “Opportunity”, by providing practical opportunities for young people to develop a skillset that positions them for future employment across a range of industries. 
Successful candidates will be informed in mid-July with the programme commencing at the end of August.
Source: Expo 2020 Dubai