Bureau International des Expositions

The Bureau international des expositions (BIE; English: International Bureau of Expositions) is an intergovernmental organization created to supervise international exhibitions (also known as expos, global expos or world expos) falling under the jurisdiction of the Convention Relating to International Exhibitions. The BIE was established by the Convention Relating to International Exhibitions, signed in Paris on 22 November 1928, with the following goals: to oversee the calendar, the bidding, the selection and the organization of World Expositions; and to establish a regulatory framework under which Expo organizers and participants may work together under the best conditions. Today, 170 member countries have adhered to the BIE Convention. The BIE regulates two types of expositions: Registered Exhibitions (commonly called World Expos) and Recognized Exhibitions (commonly called Specialized Expositions). Horticultural Exhibitions with an A1 grade, regulated by the International Association of Horticultural Producers, are recognized since 1960. The Bureau International des Expositions also recognises the Milan Triennial Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Architecture, on grounds of historical precedence, provided that it retains its original features. Since the creation of the BIE in 1928, different protocols have governed Expo categories, which are generally split between World Expos and Specialised Expos. The rules for each category define the duration, the frequency, the size, and the construction attributes of each Expo. Under the original protocol of the 1928 Paris Convention, the BIE recognised two types of Expos: General Exhibitions (also known as World Expos), which were divided into: 1st category 2nd category Special Exhibitions (also known as Specialised Expos) The Protocol of 30 November 1972 revised the original Convention, entering into force in 1980.