Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) reintroduced legislation to support Minnesota’s bid to host a World’s Fair in 2023. The U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act (H.R. 534) calls for the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), the international organization in charge of overseeing World Expos - better known as World’s Fairs, to further the chances of bringing this event back to the United States.

“The United States has not hosted the World’s Fair in more than 30 years and it is time to bring this incredible event back to our great country,” said Emmer. “Minnesota is the greatest state in the country, and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the businesses, people and natural beauty our great state has to offer. I am proud to have the support of the entire Minnesota delegation as we work to bring the next World’s Fair to the Midwest.”

The U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act requires the Secretary of State to take the necessary steps for the United States to rejoin the BIE to give cities like Minneapolis a chance at competing for an Expo on the world stage. New Orleans was the last city in the United States to host a World’s Fair in 1984, and over the past decade, there has been a recent upsurge in interest to host once again. Unfortunately, the rules of the BIE effectively prevent American cities from hosting Expos or World’s Fairs unless the United States is a member.

H.R. 534 has eight original cosponsors in the House of Representatives, including the entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation.