Today, simultaneous receptions took place in Washington, D.C. and Milan to mark the groundbreaking of the USA Pavilion at Expo Milan, which will run from May 1 to October 31 next year. With more than 20 million people expected to visit the assemblage of 140-plus countries, Expo Milan will engage the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." It will be the world’s largest stage to foster dialogue, aggregate ideas, and showcase innovations in food, sustainability, science, industry, economics, entrepreneurship and other elements at the core of American culture.
Plans for the site include a large video installation, a vertical garden wall, rooftop gardens, a retail outlet, VIP meeting space, animated exhibits, and other experiences and amenities. Food truck rallies and the James Beard American Restaurant, a showcase of top American culinary talent, ingredients, beverages, and other products, are also in the works.
The James Beard Foundation has collaborated with the International Culinary Center, in association with the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, to form Friends of the USA Pavilion Milano 2015, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to conceive, design, fundraise for, and produce the USA Pavilion and programs at Expo Milano 2015 under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State. JBF's own Mitchell Davis will serve as the organization's chief creative officer, while ICC founder and CEO Dorothy Cann Hamilton will serve as president.
Read the full press release about today's announcements here. For more information about USA Pavilion, visit USAPavilion2015.net and follow @USAexpo2015 on Twitter. To learn more about Expo Milan, visit expo2015.org/en and follow @Expo2015Milano.
