What Is Expo
An Expo is a global event and exhibition that brings together nations from around the world to address the current challenges humanity faces and explore innovative solutions. It’s an immersive experience where cutting-edge ideas, technologies, and creative solutions come together to shape the future.
Expos are a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and sharing knowledge across borders. Millions of visitors gather at each event, offering a unique opportunity to engage with global advancements, participate in interactive cultural, educational and technology exhibitions, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about our collective future.But beyond the exhibitions and innovations, Expos transform host cities, turning them into hubs of creativity and connection, while leaving lasting legacies that continue to impact communities long after the event concludes.
Who chooses host cities?
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organization responsible for overseeing and regulating World Expos. Based in Paris, the BIE includes 184 member states and governs four types of exhibitions:
- World Expos
- Specialized Expos
- Horticultural Expos
- Triennale in Milan – International Expo
The BIE ensures that Expos uphold the highest standards of innovation, creativity, and global cooperation. Through this, the BIE selects host cities that will lead the world in addressing pressing challenges and driving forward positive change.
Expo Inventions
Expos have always been an epicenter of innovation, a place where playful minds meet to create groundbreaking inventions that shape our future. Over the years, many inventions that have changed our lives were first introduced at Expos.
From the development of the color TV to the invention of popcorn machines, ice cream cones, and even diet sodas, Expos have been an arena for creative breakthroughs that influence how we live, play, and connect.
Some of the most famous Expo inventions include:
Colour TV
Television is an everyday part of our lives, but it made its grand debut at a World Expo. In 1939, the first live TV broadcast was presented at the World’s Fair in New York.
Expo fairs are not just about showcasing existing innovations—they are a place where the future is made.
Every exhibition introduces new ideas, fostering creativity and inspiring the world to think differently about how we can improve lives and change the world for the better.
Unique landmarks
World and Specialised Expos have left a lasting impact on the urban and cultural landscape of host cities. These Expo events don’t just celebrate progress—they leave behind iconic landmarks that become symbols of their time.
These structures serve as testaments to the transformative power of global collaboration, often standing as proud markers of human achievement and innovation.Expo landmarks connect people and nations, and they act as ongoing reminders of the values and ideas that shaped the world during the event.
1889 - Paris
Eiffel Tower
The iconic Eiffel Tower was built as the entrance tower for the 1889 World Exhibition in Paris.
The legacy of Expo
Every Expo leaves an indelible mark on the world. Its legacy isn’t just in the innovations and landmarks it creates but in the conversations it sparks, the collaborations it fosters, and the hope it inspires for a better tomorrow.EXPO 2027 Belgrade, like all Expos before it, will leave a powerful legacy. It will show the world that play—whether through sports, music, or innovation—is more than just entertainment. It’s a force for progress, human connection, and transformative change.