Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-110

§2802 Federal Recognition

Title 22 › CHAPTER 40 — INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITIONS › § 2802

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

When sponsors apply, the President can officially recognize an international exposition in the United States if he finds it is in the national interest. The President must consider a Commerce Department report that explains the exposition’s goals and confirms that state, local, and business leaders have guaranteed enough money and support, a State Department report that the event can be considered for registration by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), and any other evidence he thinks is relevant. If the President finds the exposition eligible, he may ask the United States to seek BIE registration, take steps to meet the Convention of November 22, 1928 (as amended), and invite States and foreign governments to participate — but he must wait to invite them until the BIE officially registers the exposition. The President must report these actions to Congress promptly.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §2802

Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Eligibility requirements

Any international exposition proposed to be held in the United States shall be eligible on application from its sponsors to receive the recognition of the Federal Government upon a finding of the President that recognition will be in the national interest. In making such a finding the President shall consider—

(1)a report by the Secretary of Commerce which shall include (A) an evaluation of purposes and reasons for the exposition, and (B) a determination that guaranteed financial and other support has been secured by the exposition from affected State and local governments and from business and civic leadership of the region and others in amounts sufficient in his judgment to assure the successful development and progress of the exposition;

(2)a report by the Secretary of State that the proposed exposition qualifies for consideration of registration by the Bureau of International Expositions (hereafter referred to as BIE); and

(3)such other evidence as the President may consider to be appropriate.

(b)Recognition and registration procedure; compliance with international convention; participation by States and foreign governments

Upon a finding by the President that an international exposition is eligible for Federal recognition, the President may take such measures recognizing the exposition as he deems proper, including, but not limited to—

(1)presenting of an official request by the United States for registration of the exposition by the BIE;

(2)providing for fulfillment of the requirements of the Convention of November 22, 1928, as amended, relating to international expositions; and

(3)extending invitations, by proclamation or by such other manner he deems proper, to the several States of the Union and to foreign governments to take part in the exposition, provided that he shall not extend such an invitation until he has been notified officially of BIE registration for the exposition.

(c)Report to Congress

The President shall report his actions under this section promptly to the Congress.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 2802

Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110