Expos are at the pulse of human inventiveness

World’s fairs, also referred to as “Exposition Universelle Internationale,” “Exposition Mondiale,” or simply “Expo,” are international exhibitions that developed during the era of industrialization. Not surprisingly, they have established themselves as exhibitions of technology and craftsmanship, dating back to the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution: In Britain, the motherland of industrialization, Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, conceived the idea of ​​the first “global exhibition.”

More than just “showing off”

Of course, Prince Albert's aim in organizing the first exhibition was to demonstrate the progressiveness, efficiency and even superiority of the British Empire. Thus, in 1851, the “Great Exhibition” was ceremoniously opened in London’s Hyde Park. The first edition was a great achievement, and the concept continued to prove successful in the years that came after: Other major European powers followed suit, and the USA and Australia also enjoyed showing off their best sides as hosts. It was at the Philadelphia Exposition of 1876, for example, that the United States first demonstrated its technological and industrial prowess.

But it wasn’t just in the early days that world’s fairs were seen as a barometer of mankind’s capabilities. The developments and inventions on display have shaped the optimism of entire eras.

An endless source of innovations

The official institution for awarding world’s fairs has been the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) since 1928. The world’s fairs, recognized by the BIE, run for three to six months and showcase groundbreaking technological innovations to an audience of millions, on a scale too vast for a detailed review. Many of the world’s most important inventions and machines were first introduced or unveiled at these fairs: telephones, both wired and wireless, the first electric cars, phonographs and record players, and even the first elevator, complete with a “shocking” demonstration featuring an axe. The list goes on and on...

Not just technology – architecture too

World’s fairs are not just about technical innovation; they are also an ideal venue for showcasing architectural masterpieces. This applies not only to the technical aspects of the buildings, but also to their extravagant designs.

Some of the most famous relics of world’s fairs are the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Seattle Needle and the Atomium in Brussels. Equally renowned among architecture enthusiasts: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s German Pavilion in Barcelona and Habitat 67 in Montreal. Not to mention the countless record-breaking rotundas, exhibition halls and glass palaces – or “Crystal Palaces” – built before World War I. Every organizer wanted to make a lasting impression.

Exhibiting countries also put their best foot forward with their pavilions, aiming to express the unique characteristics of their respective countries. Often very elaborate and expensive, these pavilions were typically demolished after the exhibition, rather than being repurposed. Some, however, were relocated to welcome new visitors.

Osaka back for a second time

The next Expo, which is set to begin in April 2025, will mark the event’s return to Japan after two decades. Some readers may recall that Japan hosted the Expo in 2005, in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan. But did you know that Osaka has also previously hosted the global event in 1970? Running from April 13 to October 13, Expo 2025 will bring together more than 160 nations under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The venue is an artificial island in Osaka Bay – an ambitious and fitting choice for Japan.

This time, not only the host country, but also numerous other countries will present their pavilions. cargo-partner is particularly pleased to have played a significant role in the complex transport of two national pavilions. This not only showcases the company’s experience and expertise in handling such specialized shipments, but also highlights its global presence – truly “at home in the world.”

Austria: A visual symphony

What does a wooden chair have in common with Austria?

You could say “We’ve come full circle” about Austria’s spectacular pavilion, which features a spiral wooden sculpture that is as elegant as it is technically impressive: At the first “Great Exhibition” – the London Industrial Exhibition of 1851 – the Austrian furniture company Gebrüder Thonet won an award for its “Vienna Chairs”, marking its international breakthrough. The company was also awarded a medal at the Paris World Exhibition in 1855, after presenting furniture created using the innovative steam-forming method for solid wood. Over time, both designs and production methods were continually refined. Chair No. 14, developed in 1859, is still considered the “chair of all chairs,” with around 50 million units produced by 1930. This design won Thonet a gold medal at the 1867 World Exhibition in Paris and established Austria’s leading role as an innovator in woodworking technology.

Iconic wooden sculpture for the Austrian Pavilion

The striking centerpiece of the Austrian Pavilion is an impressive 16.5-meter-high wooden loop structure, reflecting Austria’s expertise in sustainable timber construction and engineering. It looks delicate and seems to rise effortlessly into the air. What makes it truly special, however, is that it is made of wood – an organic material that presents a greater challenge compared to sculptural objects typically made of reinforced concrete or steel. This complexity also extends to the transport of such an object: In addition to important exhibition elements, cargo-partner also transported the wooden loop from Austria to Japan, monitoring every stage of the journey. It travelled by rail from Austria to Hamburg, then by sea freight from Hamburg to Kobe, followed by a final truck delivery to Osaka, where it arrived on schedule in January 2025.

To ensure a smooth assembly at the Expo site, the wooden loop was shipped in twelve individual parts, carefully packed into ten sea freight containers. Packing the individual elements was quite a challenge, as the ship had to cross several climate zones and wood is a “living” material. To prevent problems with mold, swelling and shrinkage, the sculpture was coated with a special wood preservative and then wrapped in a breathable packaging film.

cargo-partner worked closely with the exhibitor team to coordinate the deliveries, taking into account on-site space constraints and ensuring the correct delivery sequence. Any delay or change in the delivery order could have caused complications and delays at the Expo site.

Multiple climate zones in the Croatian Pavilion

cargo-partner was also entrusted with the transport of the Croatian Pavilion. Designed as an immersive environment, it showcases Croatia’s climatic diversity through an experience that changes with each visit. Thermal imaging cameras capture the interactions between visitors and the microclimates in the pavilion, while video feeds from weather stations in Croatia reflect real-time conditions at home.

The logistical challenges of transporting the Croatian Pavilion were many. At the beginning of January, cargo-partner received an inquiry from the company responsible for the construction of the exhibition elements. The shipment, weighing around 29 tons, had to be specially packaged, transported to Osaka and delivered to the Expo site. The delivery deadline was March 1, 2025.

The team carried out site visits, analyzed technical drawings and secured a highly specialized packaging solution. The shipment was airfreighted from Vienna. cargo-partner handled customs clearance, storage at NX Group facilities in Japan, and final delivery to the Expo site. In addition, cargo-partner assisted the client in applying for an ATA Carnet to facilitate the temporary import of goods for the pavilion.

As a company, we are proud of these two “special transports,” which played a key role in the successful presentation of Austria and Croatia, and we look forward to welcoming many amazed visitors on site.

Croatia: Immerse yourself