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Pattison 86
Broadcast Date: Feb. 11, 1985
British Columbia businessman Jimmy Pattison built up a $400-million business empire, but his toughest task is still to come. As head of Vancouver's 1986 World Exposition, he's taken on a high-stakes project. Expo 86 is expected to cost $800 million and, like most world's fairs, is not expected to turn a profit. Pattison is working to create an event to sell Vancouver to the world - and he's doing it for $1 per year.Pattison 86
• Expo 86 was considered a success, owing to its attendance figures. While organizers forecast 13.5-15 million attendees, Expo 86 drew over 22 million.
• The world's fair was not a financial success, though; it ran a $337-million deficit. Most world's fairs did not reap a profit, but one exception was the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tenn., which turned a profit of $57 US.
Pattison 86
Medium: Television
Program: Venture
Broadcast Date: Feb. 11, 1985
Guest(s): Bob Allen, Roy Gauthier, Jimmy Pattison
Host: Patrick Watson
Duration: 7:38
Last updated:
March 12, 2008
Television
5:01
A Canadian company takes an unusual path to success in the U.S.
Pattison 86.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: March 12, 2008.
[Page consulted on Feb. 12, 2012.]