Quote:
Originally Posted by HooverDam
So Knoxville, Seattle, San Antonio, Spokane, New Orleans and St Louis can hosts Worlds Fairs, but not Phoenix?
I highly disagree.
Yah a bridge seems silly. Itll cost more and be used less, but at least cars won't have to slow down. So the City will rejoice over that.
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It isn't that I don't think that Phoenix deserves one. But the nature of World Fairs has changed a lot. It used to be a huge event that was hosted all the time. I mean, in 1939, there were 3 different ones (NY, San Francisco and Liege, Belgium). Also, the event was predominantly a US and Europe thing. Now, the event is a lot more global, and a lot more spread apart. There are a lot more cities competing for it (especially in developing countries that are trying to prove to the world that they are ready to be global economies, such as China and Azerbaijan, which put a ton of money into these things to host the world), and it takes place every 2 or 3 years. This makes the odds of Phoenix getting it a lot tougher. I am not saying that Phoenix shouldn't try, but I don't think we have the presence or leadership to be able to land it at the moment.
Even though the cities you listed are all significantly smaller than Phoenix, most of them have a stronger historical and cultural presence, so that is why it is easier for them to get these things. (With Spokane being a big exception). New Orleans is the best example, it is a really small city compared to Phoenix, but it is one of the most important cultural centers for the country, and a city that attracts tons of international tourists. Phoenix definitely can and should be at that level, and I really hope that 15 years from now, it is as important as the 6th largest city should be.
I am excited that Phoenix is seriously considering going after the Panamerican games, I think that would help increase the international recognition of the city.