Olympics in London? That’s So 2012. Next Big Thing is Expo 2015 in Milan.

After the London Olympics the next big global get-together in Europe will be Expo 2015. This “extraordinary universal event displaying tradition, creativity and innovation” will be held from 1 May to 31 October, 2015 at a newly constructed site in Milan, Italy.

The first Expo was in London back in 1851. Through the years these Universal Expositions have served as “a showcase of innovation and human inspiration” like when Alexander Graham Bell presented his telephone prototype at Expo Philadelphia in 1876 or when the Eiffel Tower was designed and built for the Paris Expo in 1889.

The theme of Expo 2015 will be Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. A big world party about food … in Italy?This should be yummy. Of course, one aim of the Expo is to be delicious fun for all but also to address the issues of sustainability, food inequality and nutrition while offering a meeting place for “top creative minds” and atmosphere for “great business opportunities”.

I’m intrigued and looking forward to watching how this capital of style will roll out a gracious benvenuti for the world. Find out more at expo2015.org.