'The 1984 Louisiana World Exposition: America’s Last World's Fair' Webinar

Tickets: $18.88 ( incl. $3.88 fees ) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981583397284

Before the world's fair faded from the American stage, New Orleans gave it one last flamboyant curtain call in 1984. Conceived as a bold effort to transform a crumbling section of the city into a year-round tourist destination, the fair brought 84 acres of the Mississippi River waterfront to life with colorful pavilions, rides, and restaurants. How did this ambitious celebration attract over seven million guests yet still go bankrupt before it ended? It’s time to revisit this vibrant spectacle and the surprising legacy it left behind.

Join New York Adventure Club as we delve into the full story behind the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans — from its optimistic beginnings and eye-catching attractions to its economic unraveling and lasting impact on the city’s waterfront.

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

• A deep dive into the 12-year planning saga, including the political wrangling and design overhauls that shaped the fair’s final form
• An overview of the fair’s attractions, from international pavilions and gondola rides to a monorail gliding above the Mississippi River
• A look at the financial collapse, and how the fair became the first world’s fair to declare bankruptcy before its scheduled close
• Rare behind-the-scenes photos and archival images, many sourced directly from the fair corporation’s own collection
• An exploration of the fair’s lasting impact, including the transformation of the site into New Orleans’ modern-day convention center and thriving arts district

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