World's Fair Legacies

From Expos to Economic Engines

From the Space Needle in Seattle to San Antonio’s Tower of the Americas and River Walk expansion, the United States has a proud tradition of hosting world expositions that leave behind more than memories. Each Expo creates a signature landmark that defines its city skyline while seeding lasting economic growth for generations.

These iconic structures — the Sunsphere in Knoxville, the U.S. Pavilion and Riverfront Park in Spokane, and San Antonio’s River Walk district — are more than monuments to the past. They continue to anchor tourism, conventions, and cultural life, producing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars annually in economic activity.

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U.S. World’s Fairs demonstrate a powerful legacy formula:

• A physical landmark that becomes the city’s enduring symbol.

• An ongoing tourism and development engine that fuels jobs, business growth, and global visibility long after the Expo gates close.