All You Need to Know About the

A Brief History of the World Expo

The first World Expo was held in London in 1851 and showcased the inventions of the Industrial Revolution. Since its inception 169 years ago, the expo has taken place throughout the world, from New York to Paris and Shanghai. The Expo 2020 is the world’s first mega expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. The Expo is predicted to bring in 10s of millions of visits from members of the public, thought leaders, business owners, students, heads of state and world leaders - with 70% of visitors to be international.

The eventi is the UAEs largest megaproject and the constriction of the expo is one to behold. A new city has emerged in the UAE’s financial capital and this city will play host to the largest event to have ever been hosted in the Arab world. This new “city” brings with it a sense of optimism in an otherwise scary time and this spirit of hope and excitement can be felt throughout the capital as the new mega city continues to build and rise.

Expo 2020 Dubai Theme

The Dubai Expo 2020 has one primary theme and that is: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” The theme is ideal for today’s climate, especially at a time when technology is bringing the world together and helping us connect while we starved of social interaction.

While “connecting minds, creating the future” is the primary theme of the event, the sub themes are made up of: Opportunity. Mobility and Sustainability.

Opportunity: Focusing on unlocking the potential within individuals and communities to shape a better future. Topics featured within this theme include: employment, education, governance, new business and financial capital.

Mobility: Focusing on effective and smarter movement of goods, ideas and people and tackles. Topics featured within this theme include: transportation, exploration and travel as well as digital connectivity, personal mobility and logistics.

Sustainability: Focusing on environmental themes and living in balance with our planet. Topics featured within this theme include: innovations designed to protect ecosystems, tackling the effects of climate change and creating lasting benefits for future generations.

These sub themes will each have their own pavilion

The Opportunity Pavilion will be made from organic materials and aspires to create a sense of empathy and passion for a better world. It is designed to engage visitors with a variety of gameplay experiences that will change their thinking about basic human needs such as water, food and energy.

The Mobility Pavilion has been created to take visitors on an incredible journey, from ancient exploration to AI. The journey will begin as visitors board the world’s largest elevating platform, which will lead them through the House of Wisdom in 9th Century Baghdad through to the giants of modern day mobility. The Sustainability Pavilion is designed to educate visitors about alternative water and food sources as well as renewable energy. The out of this world pavilion will guide visitors on a journey beneath a dense forest and have them risk the planet’s future by participating in a game of high-stakes pinball. This kind of interaction and gameplay will help visitors get a sense of what may come if we as a society do not take the right steps in ensuring the well-being of future generations.

In Summary

A pillar of hope at this trying time, the Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates culture, worldwide collaboration and global innovation. We look forward to watching the event create a legacy that will benefit future generations, both on a global and local scale.

Mark your calendars, and get ready to explore the world and all its innovation.

Sales Strategies During an Ongoing Pandemic

By: Shannon Correia

With the repercussions of the COIFV-1 pandemic ongoing, many businesses worldwide have found themselves in precarious positions. With a looming global recession on the cards, business directors aim to increase sales by using the most effective strategies possible. Here’s a deep dive into how your business can achieve them both.

Effective Sales Strategies

Online Channels

When a potential customer requires information regarding The facts and figures speak for themselves - eCommerce is growing, and it is here to stay. Businesses have had to alter their outlets and channels. While this doesn’t mean you need to close up your physical shop, it does mean that having an online offering is an essential avenue for sales. There are many ways in which a business can achieve this, whether it’s through an e-commerce store, an online marketplace, or direct sales via social media platforms. Your strategy should focus on building and perfecting these channels, from your offering to the consumer experience. For instance, find and firmly establish a delivery system that works for your business and will satisfy customers. Many companies have also chosen to merge online with their physical stores by offering click and collect options. Presenting your customers with various options to suit their needs, especially during lockdown times, is the key focal point.

Customer Demands

During a pandemic, consumers are required to adjust their behaviors and way of life to remain safe. With this comes new necessities and priorities. For example, many countries recommend that people wear masks, and as such, businesses have included a range of masks in their offering. Retailers have noticed that customers are stocking up on selected goods and thus increase their inventory accordingly. While this may be easy for some businesses, others may need to readjust their offering entirely to generate sales. To have an effective strategy, you need to consider the solution your business can provide the customer with. While you’re catering to altered needs, be sure not to capitalize on this as customers see through this and will not appreciate being taken advantage of. To be effective, keep listening to what your customers need and provide them with that to the best of your ability, with flexibility and agility being the two essential traits to encompass.

Connections

Businesses also need to keep in mind that even though things have become increasingly digitized with remote working and social distancing, connections made online need to be strengthened. This includes both those with your customers and your partners. This is done to encourage loyalty and grow your online communities, leading to increased sales. Nurture the relationships you have with your online communities by staying in touch and being transparent about what your business is doing to contribute to the community and how you›re keeping their best interests in mind. You should also be responsive and receptive to their engagements with your business. In terms of partnerships, consider teaming up with other companies and organizations. This will increase your brand›s presence, and you can widen your sales pool when aligning with a team that shares your business›s values.