Join us for a reception and conversation at the historic Maxwell House in Pasadena (home to the Western Justice Center). Enjoy international wines and appetizers as we discuss the impact of World Expos on U.S Citizens and help celebrate our Los Angeles area Youth Ambassadors who recently returned from the World Expo in Dubai!

We will also explore a groundbreaking oral history project which researched the history and future of World Expos and the U.S. role in them.

Citizens of the world have been enjoying and learning from World Expos since 1851 when the first one was held in London. Also known as World Fairs, World Expos are the world’s oldest and largest mega event. They are held every three-to-five years in host cities around the world to celebrate culture, innovation, design, and human excellence. They are where such creations as the dishwasher, X-Ray machine, touch screens and Cherry Coke were first unveiled.

The last World Expo held in the U.S. was in New Orleans in 1984. Minnesota is currently in the final stages of submitting a bid to host the 2027 Expo. With geopolitics rapidly shifting, World Expos are an important example of Citizen Diplomacy illuminating U.S. values to international audiences, and by being inclusive we can highlight our country’s rich diversity as an important strength of our democracy.

Speakers will include:

Maggie Lemere – Experiencing World Expos

Maggie Lemere is a filmmaker, oral historian and National Geographic Explorer whose work focuses on social and environmental issues. She has been a conflict researcher, storytelling trainer, refugee case worker, and filmmaker. Maggie will discuss her World Expo oral history research which focused on previous participants and volunteers and how participating in a World Expo impacted and changed their lives. 

Kara Snesko – Past, Present and Future Expos

Kara Snesko is Senior Coordinator in the International Expositions Unit at the U.S. Department of State and was Project Manager for the USA Pavilion at the Dubai Expo. Kara also served as the Senior Advisor for the USA Pavilion at the Milan Expo 2015. Kara will explore the impact of World Expos on the U.S. cities that have hosted them. She will also discuss how the feedback from past hosts and participants can inform future Expos, including the 2025 Expo in Osaka, Japan.

César Corona – USC Center on Public Diplomacy Assistant Director of Engagement and CEO of ExpoMuseum.com

César Corona specializes in World Expos, public diplomacy, and governmental transparency. César has worked for USAID at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, and in different capacities at Expo 1998 Lisbon, Expo 2000 Hannover, Expo 2010 Shanghai, Expo 2012 Yeosu, Expo 2015 Milan, and Expo 2020 Dubai.

Los Angeles Area Youth Ambassadors:

Alban Martinez     Crystal Rabizadeh     Jesús Fernández