Timeline

The activities that take us from today to the final day when we close our doors on EXPO 2017 are numerous and complex. Regardless, we need a fully mapped out plan to design and run an EXPO so successful and seamless that our visitors and participants leave impressed and our legacy is intact. The national and international bid phases follow prescribed submission dates. Once the bid period has been completed, the implementation plan will be drawn out in much greater detail.

Edmonton started assessing a bid to host an EXPO in 2007. Forty community and business leaders discussed Edmonton's ability and capacity to host an EXPO, culminating in a conceptual report which suggested there were sufficient and compelling reasons to proceed to the next step: developing a national bid and business plan. City Council unanimously approved pursuing this next step in October 2008.

Conceptual Report

Introduction and Executive Summary (PDF)

Section 1: Overview (PDF)

• Introduction to expositions
• The bid process
• Benefits and risks of hosting

Section 2: Feasibility of 2017 or 2020 (PDF)

• EXPO categories
• Attendance estimates
• Accommodating visitors
• Infrastructure
• Realizing the economic impact
• Strategic considerations
• Edmonton should pursue a recognized EXPO in 2017

Section 3: The Planning Context (PDF)

• Edmonton's experience
• Alignment with Edmonton's objectives
• Alignment with Alberta's objectives
• Alignment with Canada's objectives

Section 4: Conceptual Perspectives (PDF)

• Theme selection
• Site selection
• Post-EXPO legacy
• Events, arts and cultural program
• Capacity to host and attendance
• Financial program

Section 5: Recommendations & Next Steps (PDF)

• Recommendations
• Next steps
• Work plan

Appendices: Exposition History; Edmonton Hosting Record (PDF)