In the history of modern exhibitions, there has been one exhibition to crown them all, the proverbial Olympic Games of the expo landscape. How big is this expo? So big the Montreal Expos were named the Expos after this expo. That’s right, the World’s Fair, also known as World Far, Universal Exhibition or just Expo, first held in 1851 under the original name “Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations,” has continued in some capacity to all the way into the new millennium, currently scheduled through the year 2015, to be held in Milan, Italy. In fact, bidding on proposed sites has already extended up into the 2020′s with locales far and wide throwing their hat in the ring, from Sao Paulo Brazil, to Copenhagen, Denmark to New York City and yes, even Columbus, Ohio.The World’s Fair has contributed to global development by providing cultural, industrial and architectural significance. Consider world renowned landmarks across the map, many of which originated as centerpieces to this all-inclusive celebration. Though typically structures are dismantled upon the conclusion of the festivities, some have survived to become one of kind symbols of a nation. The Eiffel Tower is perhaps the best example, featured at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas, among tens of other recognizable buildings and monuments all survive to this day, originating as contributions by the host city to the World’s Fair festivities.However, even more important than adding to a city’s skyline, is the culture, recognition and economic boost such large scale exhibitions bring to a host city. In terms of contributions to the global community, the World’s Fair can be divided into three distinct eras. The first of which, the Industrialization Era, spanned from 1851 (London) to 1938 (?), focus largely on invention and innovation in the technological field. For example, Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone was first presented to the public in the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, the first official World’s Fair to be held on U.S. soil, taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The second such era is recognized as the Cultural Exchange, focused on exhibitions from 1933 to 1987. Though technological advancements remained a key concern and maintain a presence in mid to late nineteenth century fairs, the set purpose of these fairs no longer revolved around individual inventions. Instead, fairs were shaped around thematic issues, with the end goal to better the cumulative human experience in some capacity, more of a marketplace for ideas and tactics implemented across the globe rather than merely a showcase of the latest and greatest.In more recent years, a National Branding era has taken shape, starting in 1988 and continuing on to present day celebrations. Perhaps to the ever shrinking global marketplace, host countries and even individual host cities began to recognize the branding opportunity the World Fair represents. A worldwide forum to put your best foot forward and demonstrate unique value, the primary objective over the past 3 decades according to many opinions is to raise the profile of a nation and present a positive image to other countries.Of course each and every World Fair blends trace elements of all three eras, bringing new ideas to light, solving problems that affect us all and as a cultural celebration of gracious hosts, the World’s Fair reigns as the undisputedly preeminent exhibition by which all others should be judged.