NEXPO - the new Expo

The ten largest cities in Switzerland – Basel, Bern, Biel, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zurich, and Lugano – have decided to jointly promote a bid for the next National Expo. The initiative proposed by the ten cities has been named NEXPO – the New Expo. The idea was born in 2016, and in 2018, the ten cities founded the association of the same name.

In addition to the founding cities, the association also includes Aarau, Chur, Frauenfeld, Fribourg, Glarus, Grindelwald, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel, Pontresina, Porrentruy, Saas-Fee, Schaffhausen, Sion, St. Moritz, Uster, and Zug.

Unlike previous National Expos, NEXPO does not aim to focus on a specific and defined area but seeks to connect cities and countryside, center and periphery, across the various linguistic regions of Switzerland. It adopts a completely new and innovative approach, presenting itself to a broad audience. Moreover, no new temporary buildings will be constructed; instead, existing spaces will be used.

The association is managed operationally by an artistic director (Sibylle Lichtensteiger) and a commercial director (Christina Hanke).

The journey to the inauguration

The ten cities are convinced that a national exposition embracing the entire country holds great potential. The launch phase, during which the concept was refined and the organizational structure defined, concluded in 2020. In the current consolidation phase, a playful and participatory process is underway through which NEXPO is seeking projects to stimulate discussion on the common sense of the nation. NEXPO projects can range from local initiatives to large flagship projects.

Among the initiatives included in the consolidation strategy is the online survey Nexplorer.ch, through which the Swiss population will contribute with their responses to shaping the themes that will characterize the next national exposition. The survey results will be translated into new value maps of Switzerland, illustrating the principles of civic sense and shared values.

In the spring of 2023, the Federal Council reserved its decision on potential financial support for an exposition until at least 2028. In this context, the 26 cities and municipalities decided to propose NEXPO in 2032.