San Antonio makes its way to Shanghai
-City to be featured at the largest World's Fair in history-

City and business leaders today announced participation in what's being called the largest World's Fair in history--the 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai, China. Expected to draw more than 70 million people from around the world, the Better City, Better Life-themed Expo will focus on initiatives achieving greener, safer, healthier, prosperous, inclusive and well-managed cities.

San Antonio's exhibit will feature its targeted industries, tourism and quality of life. A delegation of City and community leaders lead by Mayor Julian Castro and Councilwoman Elisa Chan will make the trip to Shanghai May 25 through May 27. Councilwoman Chan, along with former Mayor and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros are co-chairs of a committee of business leaders coordinating the City's visit. All San Antonio residents are encouraged to attend the expo during the time when the city will be featured.

"San Antonio has a long history of embracing its international roots and forging alliances around the globe to create economic opportunity," Mayor Julian Castro said. "We are honored that the city will put San Antonio' best foot forward at the World Expo."

"We intend for San Antonio's delegation to be very business oriented. With an average of 400,000 people per day visiting the fair, this is a tremendous opportunity to put San Antonio on the world-wide map," said Councilwoman Elisa Chan. "Other business activities are being arranged in order to maximize our visit in China," she added.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed local attorney Jose Villarreal as the commissioner general of the United States Pavilion, where he will lead all national fundraising efforts and relations for the 2010 Expo.

San Antonio is no newcomer to the World's Fair. In 1968, the City hosted a World's Fair that drew 6.3 million people and international attention to the Alamo City. Many of the fair's structures remain today and are known landmarks such as the Tower of the Americas, the Institute of Texan Cultures (the Texas Pavilion), the John H. Wood, Jr. United States District Court (the U.S. Pavilion) and the Mexican Cultural Institute (the Mexico Pavilion). Today, the area surrounding HemisFair Park continues to be a platform for tourism and commerce.