As USA Pavilion for Expo 2015 Breaks Ground in Milan, GE Joins Growing List of Partners for Dynamic U.S. Presence at Next World's Fair

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Friends of the USA Pavilion Milano 2015 today announced several key partnerships during a reception hosted by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to mark the groundbreaking for the USA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015. GE joins a growing list of partners at the forefront of American innovation that will support the USA Pavilion at next year's Expo, which is expected to attract more than 20 million visitors from May through October 2015 in Milan, Italy.

"As a global leader in advancing food security, the United States feels we have to seize this opportunity to be involved in the 2015 World Expo in a significant way," said Secretary Kerry during today's reception, attended by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, Ambassador David Thorne, Incoming Milan Consul General Philip Reeker, U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships Andrew O'Brien, U.S. Special Representative for Food Security Nancy Stetson, USA Pavilion partners and supporters, and other guests at the U.S. Department of State. "The Milan World Expo of 2015 is a chance for us to share with the world the work that American scientists, chefs, entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen all continue to do day in and day out and hopefully help people to understand the ways in which we can make progress in the future."

During a simultaneous reception in Milan, U.S. Ambassador to Italy John Phillips joined members of the Italian government, Expo 2015 officials, and other partners at a groundbreaking ceremony for the USA Pavilion. Featuring a fully functioning vertical farm, the pavilion will showcase America's unique role in the future of food around the world with the theme "American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet." Pavilion programs and events will range from interactive exhibits and tastings to topical salons, regional food trucks and an innovation accelerator.

"GE is excited to participate in the USA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 and help represent the tremendous innovation that American companies are bringing to the global food system," said Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE. "GE is dedicated to finding solutions to the world's biggest challenges, including the challenge of feeding the world. The USA Pavilion presents a terrific opportunity to showcase what U.S. companies bring to this challenge, including sustainable solutions for energy, transportation, clean water and health."

The Friends organization – a collaboration between the James Beard Foundation and the International Culinary Center, in association with the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy – is seeking partners to represent America's diversity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, and create a global call to action around the challenges of feeding the planet. The U.S. is one of 140-plus countries participating in Expo Milano 2015: Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.

"We're thrilled to collaborate with GE and our other generous sponsors on this important opportunity to address food-system issues and challenges on an international stage," said Dorothy Hamilton, president of Friends of the USA Pavilion Milano 2015. "Together, we'll engage with the global community to start a powerful conversation, and encourage action, to meet the challenges of the global food crisis. America has a lot to offer to this discussion, both scientifically and culturally, and we welcome others who wish to join us in representing the very best of the USA to the world."      

The USA Pavilion is funded entirely through the generosity of corporations, organizations, universities and individuals. Current partners include GE, Uvet, DuPont, illy, SageGlass, 3M, McKinsey & Company and FleishmanHillard.

For more information about the USA Pavilion or to become a sponsor, please visit: http://www.usapavilion2015.net.

About Friends of the USA Pavilion Milano 2015
Friends of the USA Pavilion Milano 2015, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a collaboration between the James Beard Foundation (JBF) and the International Culinary Center (ICC), in association with the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, whose mission is to conceive, design, fundraise for, and produce the USA Pavilion and programs at Expo Milano 2015 under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State. Current partners include GE, Uvet, DuPont, illy, SageGlass, 3M, McKinsey & Company and FleishmanHillard.

The pavilion's management and program is directed by President Dorothy Hamilton (founder and CEO of ICC), CEO Charlie Faas, and Chief Creative Officer Mitchell Davis (EVP of JBF). Biber Architects has been selected to design the USA Pavilion. In consultation with a team of experts across the science, business, technology, agriculture, sustainability, design and other fields, the Friends organization will oversee every aspect of the project.

For more information, visit: http://www.usapavilion2015.net/ and http://en.expo2015.org/.

SOURCE Friends of the USA Pavilion Milano 2015