US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai unveiled

While the official opening of the US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai -the next World's Fair- on October 20, 2020 feels far away, Pavilion USA 2020, the partnership responsible for the United States' National Pavilion, has been making important headway in the design and planning of the landmark building destined to represent more than 325 million Americans.  

The initial plans for the building and its experiences were released at a ceremony in Dubai on Wednesday. The event featured the unveiling of an architectural model of the US pavilion, designed by world-renowned American architect Curtis W. Fentress, FAIA, RIBA; and a tour of the American experiences currently being designed by Detroit-based design firm George P. Johnson Experiential Marketing. The total investment in building the pavilion is estimated at $60 million and the construction of the same will begin by
mid -2019.

Representing the US Government at the launch event were US Consul General Dubai Philip Frayne and Director of the US Department of State's Expo Unit James Core: "We are excited by Pavilion USA 2020's release of the first designs of the US pavilion and the announcement of their first sponsors.  This is an important step in the United States' journey to Expo 2020 Dubai.  We encourage other companies, cultural and philanthropic organizations, and citizens to learn more about opportunities to get involved."

The event also included a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the first-of-its kind agreement between Pavilion USA 2020, AmCham Dubai, AmCham Abu Dhabi, and the US-UAE Business Council to promote the shared goal of engaging the private sector in a history-making US pavilion.

In a joint statement, Anne Jaffrey, President of AmCham Dubai; Sharief Fahmy, chairman of the AmCham Abu Dhabi, and Danny E. Sebright, President of the US-UAE Business Council said:  "Today's MOU serves as the platform from which our members can come together in support of the US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.  We are pleased to work closely to ensure the bilateral business communities between our two nations are fully engaged in this important effort.   As a commercial priority of the US and the UAE, there are few opportunities more deserving of our full support."
Pavilion USA 2020 leadership along with Krista Pilot, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Asia, Middle East & North Africa from PepsiCo also announced that the 120-year-old New York-based company, known globally for its food and beverage products, will be a lead sponsor and Official Beverage partner of Pavilion USA 2020. 
At the conclusion of the event, Pavilion USA 2020 announced its official partnership with California-based Virgin Hyperloop One, which will premiere its Hyperloop ride experience at the US pavilion.  This first experience reveal marks the beginning of a multi-year global engagement campaign that will spotlight the innovations showcased at the US pavilion in preparation for its opening in October 2020.  - business@khaleejtimes.com