Expo 2017 and Expo 2020

Here's the official Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) word on Expo 2017 and Expo 2020:
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/articles/general-news/416-second-coordination-meeting-for-candidates-for-an-international-expo-in-2017-and-a-world-expo-in-2020.html

Interesting bits:
- Only 2017 is mention and not the possibility of 2018 for the smaller "recognized" world's fair
- No mention of Houston or Silicon Valley for Expo 2020
- No mention of Yekaterinburg for 2020 even though this sounds like it is definitely in the works.
- Expo 2017 bid deadline is 10 December 2011
- Expo 2020 bid deadline is 02 November 2011

I'm really concerned about the United States' bids for Expo 2020. It seems mostly contingent on the State Department letting us rejoin the BIE. I'm hoping to find out more news from both the Houston and Silicon Valley efforts soon.

U.S. Department of State Signs Letter of Intent for World Expo Shanghai 2010

The U.S. State Department has announced they've signed a letter of intent to create a U.S. Pavilion at Shanghai's Expo 2010:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/apr/103770.htm

It'll be interesting to see what happens since, unlike most other countries, government money can't be used in the planning, construction, or hosting of a U.S. Pavilion. From the original request for proposals last year, I understand that about 100 million dollars will need to be found from sponsoring organizations in order to make this happen.

With only two years to go before the opening of Expo 2010, that's a lot of work to get done in a very short period of time.

The planning for other similarly sized pavilions (such as the United Kingdoms' pavilion) have been well under way for a while, so it's going to be a challenge to have the paint dry and doors open by 01 May 2008.