Gov. Walz says Minnesota is ready to host 2027 World Expo

(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (R-MN) and a delegation of Expo leaders on Wednesday to discuss the United States’ bid to host the 2027 World Expo in Minnesota.

The United States is competing against 4 other countries to host the international event during the summer of 2027.

The expo’s theme is “Healthy People, Healthy Planet” and will focus on health and wellness. It’s expected to attract an estimated 14 million visitors and have an impact of $2.5 billion on Minnesota’s economy.

“As a global leader in health care and medical innovation, Minnesota would be honored to host the Expo and welcome the world to share in that innovation to support Healthy People, and a Healthy Planet into the future,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful for our partnerships with both our local government officials and our federal partners to bring this Expo to the United States. We are ready, and we look forward to showcasing Minnesota on the global stage.”

An international delegation from the BIE (Bureau International Expositions) is visiting Minnesota this week as a proposed site to host the expo. The BIE is the international organization responsible for evaluating proposals and deciding the location of Expos.

The BIE assembly will vote in June of 2023 to choose the location for 2027. This would be the first time that the United States has hosted an expo since 1984.

Meanwhile, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton publicly endorsed Minnesota to host the 2027 World Expo.

Norton says, “I am proud to support this bid. Rochester is home of Mayo Clinic, the #1 ranked healthcare provider in the nation and largest employer in the state of Minnesota. As a destination for health, hope and healing, we know how important health is to our people and our planet. This is especially true with the hospitality and care our residents and businesses provide to the millions of patients and companions who visit Rochester each and every year. This is one of the many reasons Minnesota is the right location for the Specialized Expo in 2027.”

The proposed site will be within the City of Bloomington’s South Loop development district. The land on the site is owned by the Mall of America, the City of Bloomington, and the Bloomington Port Authority.

The Expo 2027 site will be a new development creation that links to existing structures at the Mall of America and surrounding area. There are buildings in the development process that will also be utilized for the exposition.

To learn more about Minnesota’s bid for the 2027 World Expo, CLICK HERE.