EXPO 2010

About the UK Pavilion - A Dramatic demonstration of UK creativity

Shanghai World Expo will be the most spectacular and important event of its type. It is an Expo for the 21st Century and the UK have designed and built a Pavilion that reflects the splendour of the Expo 2010.

Our Pavilion is a striking, visual demonstration of the UK as a creative and innovative nation; exactly as Crystal Palace was in the very first Expo in London in 1851.

Developed by one of the UK's leading creative talents, Thomas Heatherwick, the centrepiece of the UK pavilion is a six storey high object formed from some 60,000 slender transparent rods, which extend from the structure and quiver in the breeze. During the day, each of the 7.5m long rods act like fibre-optic filaments, drawing on daylight to illuminate the interior, thereby creating a contemplative awe-inspiring space. At night, light sources at the interior end of each rod allow the whole structure to glow. The pavilion sits on a landscape looking like paper that once wrapped the building and that now lies unfolded on the site.
(Source: http://www.ukshanghaiexpo.com/en/uk_pavilion)

CBI Member IPA Representing UK Advertising at Shanghai Expo

In February, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Government organisation responsible for promoting international trade, selected the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) to represent the UK advertising sector at the Shanghai World Expo.

The IPA is a non-profit trade body and professional institute for agencies in the UK's media and marketing communications industry.

The IPA is leading eight of its member agencies in a trade mission to Shanghai. On May 20th, they will participate in a creative workshop that seeks to explore the potential for China and Chinese brands to position themselves for EU market. Read more here.
Updated 14 May, 2010

'Seed Cathedral' or 'Dandelion'? - a look at the UK's Pavilion at Shanghai EXPO

As the final countdown to the start of EXPO 2010 on 01 May continues please read below the CBI's own review of the UK Pavilion.

(Photo source: Xinhuanet)

Admire the only building of its kind in the world and read how the five key sponsors of the UK Pavilion (Astrazeneca, Barclays, BP, Diageo and GKN - all CBI members) regard their involvement at the Shanghai EXPO. Please click here to read more.
Updated 12 April, 2010

UK Pavilion at Shanghai EXPO 2010 - A Guide

A Guide to the UK Pavilion has now been produced and the CBI is delighted to share this with you.

UK Pavilion and Shanghai Nanpu Bridge (photo source: Press & Public Affairs Office, British Embassy)

There are just 52 days to go until the grand opening of the World EXPO however there is still time for UK businesses to get involved. Just contact Rebecca Hickman via rebecca@ukshanghaiexpo.com directly or visit the News and Events section of the comprehensive bilingual Pavilion website.

Please click here to read read the UK Pavilion story (PDF 1.41MB).
Updated 10 March 2010

UK Ambassador Visited UK Pavilion

The new British Ambassador to China, Sebastian Wood, visited the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo site to witness the construction progress of the UK Pavilion in early February. Since his appointment in January, the Ambassador has attached great importance to the 2010 Shanghai Expo, prioritising Shanghai as the first stop on his 8 cities in 88 days tour.

The Ambassador said: "I am excited to be a part of the Shanghai Expo. It is the biggest global event taking place between the Beijing Olympic games and the London Olympic games and will provide unprecedented opportunities for China and the UK. We welcome the Chinese public to visit the UK pavilion and experience it for themselves." The Ambassador also met the Chinese staff working on the UK Pavilion and showed his appreciation for their hard work.
(Source: UK Pavilion News http://www.ukshanghaiexpo.com/en/news/news.php?id=63)
Updated 3 March, 2010

Shanghai EXPO 2010 - Latest update for UK Business

The Shanghai World EXPO 2010 will start in less than 75 days and China Direct would like to provide you with the latest news and information from the UK Pavilion - or Dandelion - as it has been nicknamed.

The new interactive UK Pavilion calendar of events is now live. Please don't forget to mark Wednesday 8th September in your diaries. This will be the UK's National Day and will be marked with a rich variety of business and cultural activities.

There will be a total of 125 events (to date) over the 184 days that the UK Pavilion will be open starting on 01 May and finishing on 31 October 2010.

Some fast facts about the UK Pavilion:

- 6000M 2 (approximate size of a soccer pitch)
- Designed by UK based Heatherwick Studio
- Design incorporates "Better City Better Life" EXPO concept
- Likely to be one of the top 3 pavilions visited during EXPO
- 5-7 million visitors expected - more per day than arrive at Heathrow's Terminal 3
- Six storey high structure consists of 60,000 individually fitted 7.5M acrylic rods (45,000 now in place)
- Club UK will be established at JW Marriott hotel (Peoples Square) - details to follow
Updated 3 March, 2010

SHANGHAI EXPO 2010 – UK Website goes live on 20.11.09
"BETTER CITY, BETTER LIFE"

Businesses and visitors alike can visit the website for the UK Pavilion from Friday 20th November 2009.

Whether planning a trip to the EXPO, entertaining clients or showcasing the best of your business to the China market the website will be your window on SHANGHAI EXPO 2010.

Download section:
* EXPO Site Indicative Map
* UK at Expo 2010 - Indicative Calendar of Events
* Event Workbook
* A Guide to Hosting Your Business Events Offsite
* Shanghai EXPO Team Areas of Responsibility and Contact Details
* JW Marriott Hotel Rates

Visit www.ukshanghaiexpo.com now and learn why Shanghai will be a better city and offer you a better life in 2010!
Updated 19 November, 2009

CBI members to sponsor UK pavilion at 2010 World Expo

Three CBI members- AstraZeneca, BP and GKN- announced on 19 January their corporate sponsorship plans for the UK Pavilion at Shanghai 2010 World Expo. AstraZeneca will donate £500,000, which will support the design, development and staging of the Pavilion.

The Shanghai 2010 Expo theme is 'Better City, Better Life', and the Expo grounds cover over five square kilometres, four times the size of the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan. The Expo organisers are hoping to welcome 70 million visitors over the six months of the Expo.

The UK Pavilion is expected to attract 50,000 visitors a day during the Expo. The UK is to invest between £10 million and £12 million in its participation in the Expo. The costs will be split 50-50 between public and private sectors.
Updated 23 January, 2008