The 2012 World Exposition is scheduled from May 12 through Aug. 12 in Yeosu, South Korea, with a theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast,” and the USA Pavilion is playing upon that theme with its own featuring a diversity of voices from U.S. coastal communities.
Philippe Cousteau Jr., the grandson of famed undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau, partnered with the U.S. Department of State to design and operate the 12,000-square-foot USA Pavilion 2012 featuring programs and exhibits representing the diverse nature of coastal communities and ocean environments along the extensive coastlines of the United States. Cousteau also is acting as the chief spokesperson for the USA Pavilion 2012.
Diversity in America is exhibited through anecdotal stories from U.S. citizens relaying their life experiences in coastal communities in order to develop and share a common bond with others living in seaside communities around the globe. Multi-media displays designed to “stimulate the senses and inspire the mind” combine storytelling and science to convey the true nature of ocean environments along U.S. coastlines. Uunique elements of U.S. culture and what it takes to spur U.S. citizens to action through private and public initiatives are also on display.
Participation in World Expo 2012 partly illustrates the close cooperation between the governments of the U.S. and South Korea, particularly in regards to environmental and energy challenges. By way of example, officials for the U.S. Department of Energy and Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy recently agreed to collaborate on power grid-related research and development. And U.S. and South Korean companies are working together to develop clean technologies designed to reduce or eliminate pollution while curtailing energy use.
The USA Pavilion 2012 was designed by Phil Hettema, who has more than 30 years of experience designing and producing live events and themed attractions, including more than 10 years as senior vice president of attraction development at Universal Studios Theme Parks Worldwide. While working for the theme parks company, Hettema was in charge of creative development for shows and attractions for five theme parks as well as international and domestic expansion.
An experienced entertainment and environmental executive, Andrew Snowhite, is the CEO for the USA Pavilion. Snowhite co-founded Azure Worldwide with Philippe Cousteau. Azure Worldwide helps businesses and other entities to build and develop environmentally friendly projects, such as resort destinations and environmentally themed attractions.
Acting as chief operating officer is Mark Germyn, who held the same position for the USA Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China, and the 1986 World Expo in Vancouver, Canada. Germyn has more than 35 years of experience overseeing international operations and projects.
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