'Expo '74: Spokane’s Bold Vision for a Green World’s Fair' Webinar

Tickets: $15.71 ( incl. $3.71 fees ) (includes access to replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1972632797800

What happens when one of the smallest cities in America dares to host a global event? In 1974, Spokane, Washington stunned the world by transforming a forgotten stretch of polluted railyards into the first ecologically themed world’s fair — a bold gamble critics believed was destined to flop. But against all odds, this little-known fair became a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions and sparking a new dialogue around the environment. It’s time to revisit the unlikely world’s fair that not only transformed a city, but helped redefine the future of sustainable urban design.

Join New York Adventure Club as we delve into the remarkable story of Expo ’74, the first environmentally focused world’s fair that turned an overlooked corner of Spokane, Washington into a global destination — laying the foundation for one of America’s most celebrated urban parks.

Led by world’s fair historian and author Bill Cotter, this special experience will include:

• A behind-the-scenes look at how Spokane’s civic leaders conceived, pitched, and won the bid to host Expo ’74
• How the fair overcame widespread skepticism to become a resounding success and source of civic pride
• An exploration of the fair’s whimsical pavilions and ecological theme, which captivated over 5 million visitors
• The lasting legacy of Expo ’74, including the transformation of the site into Spokane’s beloved Riverfront Park
• Historical photos and rare film clips from Bill’s personal archive, many being shown publicly for the first time

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A session with Bill — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
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***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Bill
Bill Cotter was inspired by the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair to pursue a career in technology, becoming a submarine designer out of college for the US Navy, working on the Polaris-Poseidon-Trident guidance and launch systems. Cotter was then hired by The Walt Disney Company to set up the company's initial computer security. He also contributed to the designs for several major computer-controlled attractions. More recently, Bill retired as a Senior Vice President of Information Systems for Bank of America and is now an active volunteer with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Bill has written 13 volumes about the history of world’s fairs. He has contributed to dozens of books and documentaries and served as a consultant on several movies, including Iron Man 2 (2010) and Tomorrowland (2015). Bill spoke at the 50th anniversary of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair and Disney’s D23 celebration of the Fair held at Walt Disney World Resort. Bill is also the author of a comprehensive history of Disney television and other entertainment projects, and operates three websites devoted to the study of world’s fairs.

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Categories: Virtual, Moments in History