News » 22.09.2025 - Minnesota set to host America’s first A1 International Horticultural Expo
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has granted provisional approval for Expo 2031 Minnesota, USA. This Expo is planned for 1 May to 15 October 2031 in Dakota County, and it will mark a historic debut for an A1 International Horticultural Expo on American soil.
The decision was taken on Monday, 15 September, by AIPH Members in a General Meeting during the 77th AIPH Annual Congress in Ghent, Belgium, following the presentation of the Minnesota application in the AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference. The application was supported by a positive AIPH site inspection in July 2024, which confirmed strong preparation, widespread stakeholder backing, and ambitious legacy planning.
AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe welcomed the decision: "Provisional approval for Expo 2031 Minnesota affirms its place in 2031 and reflects the significant progress already made by the organizers. With the final stage of U.S. federal recognition to come, Minnesota is on course to welcome the world to its first-ever A1 International Horticultural Expo."
A first for the United States
Expo 2031 Minnesota is designed as a six-month event that will welcome an estimated 4+ million visitors. The exhibition will be staged on a 67-hectare core site within a 90.6-hectare area, located near the Mississippi River— a symbolic gateway for international exchange.
"This is more than a milestone; it is a celebration," said Wendy Meadley, CEO of Expo 2031 Minnesota. "What began as an application has become a movement, uniting leaders and communities across the United States and the world. With our federal partners, investors, and horticultural community, we are ready to build a legacy event that connects cultures through the power of plants."
The visitor experience and design
"Visitors will be invited into a discovery horticultural experience unlike anything previously staged in the United States," explained Meadley. "Our vision is for theme park–like grounds, but with the rides replaced by extraordinary plants, landscapes, and biodomes. Each ecological zone is designed to immerse people in a distinctive environment, where horticulture, humanity, and nature meet."
The master plan introduces five ecological zones: tropical, arid, temperate, continental, and North Star. These zones are designed to represent growing conditions from across the world, giving visitors the chance to encounter plants they would not normally see in Minnesota. To achieve this, the design incorporates large conservatories and biodomes for tropical and arid displays, alongside outdoor areas for hardy northern landscapes. The North Star zone, named after Minnesota's state motto L'Étoile du Nord, reflects the region's distinctive northern climate and identity, providing an authentic showcase of Minnesota's environment while linking it to global plant diversity.
Representing all U.S. growing zones and seven key sectors
Expo 2031 will reflect the full diversity of the United States by incorporating all USDA agricultural zones, ensuring that the country's wide-ranging climates and crops are represented. While horticulture remains central, the Expo will connect plants to broader themes of agriculture, food production and supply, energy, water treatment, health and wellbeing, and future technology.
This framework is intended to bring together growers, industry leaders, and academia, positioning Expo 2031 as a global meeting point where innovation across disciplines can be shared.
Arthij van der Veer, Area Manager, North America for MPS and co-chair of the Global Horticulture Council, said: "Horticulture is at the heart of this Expo, but by embracing agriculture, technology, and wellbeing alongside it, we are showing how plants are connected to every part of our future. This will make Minnesota 2031 a platform that resonates not only with growers but with society as a whole."
Strong regional and industry support
The presentation also highlighted strong support across Minnesota's civic and industry sectors for the project. As part of the application, the Minnesota team emphasized that Expo 2031 is designed to bring together growers, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the world. Hosting the Expo in Minnesota will continue the state's proud legacy of innovation and connection, creating an unforgettable event that lays the groundwork for future international Expos in the United States.
The Minnesota team also set out their organizational structure, including a transition from LLC to non-profit corporation status, and an investor–partner model designed to convene the greatest minds of the time in the actual design and development of the Expo.
Federal pathway and infrastructure readiness
The final step of federal recognition is in progress. Richard Larkin McLay, who leads federal and state relations, explained: "Our completed and approved application is with the U.S. Department of Commerce. The new administration recognizes both the urgency and the importance of this project, and we look forward to returning to AIPH soon with the signed letter in hand."
SRF Consulting Group, a 400-person engineering and infrastructure firm, is leading infrastructure planning. CEO Todd Polum told delegates: "Our goal is to create a place of beauty, learning, and connection that lasts well beyond 2031. From transport systems to accessible gateways, we are designing an Expo experience that everyone can reach and enjoy."
The transportation strategy will leverage Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and existing networks of light rail, highways, buses, and cycling routes, supported by new "gateway" park-and-ride hubs and information centers to enhance accessibility.
Building a lasting legacy
Beyond its six-month run, Expo 2031 is designed to leave a lasting legacy in horticulture, culture, and economics for Minnesota and the broader United States.
The site will incorporate permanent green spaces and educational facilities, strengthening Minnesota's identity as a hub of environmental innovation. Partnerships with the American Public Garden Association and the Minnesota State Horticultural Society are already underway to ensure that landscapes established for the Expo will mature into lasting assets.
Organizers are also committed to fostering innovation through links with universities, research centers, and global horticultural brands. Off-site growing networks will expand opportunities for growers across the country, while the Expo's visitor infrastructure is intended to stimulate tourism and business development in the Twin Cities region.
"This is not only about 2031," Meadley emphasized. "It is about building connections, knowledge, and places that will continue to serve our communities and inspire the world for decades to come."
Source: www.floraldaily.com
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