This week marks the beginning of one of the largest global events in history – the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. 

This expo is much like the World's Fairs that were held decades ago in places like New York, Paris, Stockholm and Montreal.  I was seven years old when I visited the World's Fair in New York in 1939.  I'll always remember it as a great experience.

This is the first event of this scale to be held in China and 70 million people from around the world are expected to attend.  It opens on May 1st and closes on October 31st of this year.  Most people who visit will be Chinese who are traveling within their own country more and more, and also traveling abroad.

China captured the attention a global audience as they hosted the Summer Olympics and hosting the World Expo is a great way to showcase their nation to the world again.  It's also a great way for other countries and companies to introduce themselves to the Chinese people.

More than 190 countries and 50 international organizations are participating in this expo and Marriott is proud to be a sponsor and exhibitor at the USA pavilion, which is expected to draw the largest crowds.

We're thrilled to be able to host so many visitors from all parts of the world as we have 14 hotels in Shanghai from various brands including Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance and Courtyard by Marriott.

I will actually be traveling to China later this month and plan to visit the World Expo myself, so stay tuned and I'll give you an update about my trip.

I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.