Shanghai World Expo - Where's the rest of Australia?

Only 44 days to go until the gates open on the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai on May 1, and with $80m being invested by the Australian Government to attract some of the 70m-odd expected attendees, I can't help but think that there's still a distinct lack of noise amongst Australian business and general public about the event.

Although ahead of schedule, the Australia Pavilion is still under construction at the Expo site.

Built by Wood March, the pavilion is being built with a weathering steel facade to reflect the Australian cultural theme.

Inside the pavilion however will be a showcase of Australian ingenuity and in line with the Expo's theme, "Better Cities, Better Life", Australia will be showcasing all that is great about living in Australia.

However with a predominately Chinese audience, Australian companies are going to have to fast-track their cultural awareness to come across positively to this growing, yet demanding market.

In addition to the public events at the pavilion there will be over 200 VIP invite-only events throughout the 6 months of the Expo including seminars, product launches, trade and investment promotions.

The list of major events is impressive, yet its the usual suspects, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, leading the march with the showcase events.

MAY
International launch of Brand Australia
Liveable Cities of the Future forum
Victoria Week (17 -23rd)
Australia-China Alumni Awards

JUNE
National Day (June 8)
Queensland Week (20-26)
Austrade-led clean energy and biotech promotions
Financial services and Investments
AustCham Shanghai Gala Dinner

JULY
Agriculture
Energy and Resources
Australia-China Natural Gas Technology Partnership
Low emissions coal research
Renewable energy
New South Wales week (12-18th)
Legal services
Education
Australia-China Business Council hosted events

AUGUST
Climate change
Nanotech
Biotech
Mining and Energy Resources
Oceania month

SEPTEMBER
Automotive trade
Information Technology and Communications
Aust-China Young Scientist Exchange program

OCTOBER
Clean Energy
Corporate Social Responsibility
Australia China Business awards

Now I might be out of the loop, but I'm working on fixing that, but where's the City councils, State Tourism bodies, Immigration, Education and Property sectors. Where's the Australian Food and Wine industries? Where's Australia Made? Where's the national brand icons like Elders, Hills, Fosters, etc showcasing our national culture.

And how will it come across in Mandarin?

Let's go Aodaliya. Time to act.