Otago's five mayors could be the face of the province at the World Expo in Shanghai next year, which is expected to attract 70 million visitors.
The Dunedin City Council's economic development unit has hired Dunedin-based Katy Lam, who has managed 25 Asian trade shows, to come up with a plan to promote Otago at the New Zealand pavilion in Shanghai, which is expecting 40,000 visitors daily.
Unit manager Peter Harris said Ms Lam was looking at the use of a VIP lounge attached to the pavilion.
She is compiling a list of interested parties from Otago who could form a delegation and hopes all five Otago mayors would be available.
"Having mayors at an event carries a lot of kudos in China," he said.
They attract Chinese dignitaries and business people.
Potentially, there could be two dates a month, apart from May next year, for mayoral visits.
Mr Harris said most of the VIP room's costs were paid for by the Government.
He expected a report from Ms Lam in about a month.
"Dunedin's sister-city relationship with Shanghai and having a mayor of Chinese descent is a fantastic foundation on which Dunedin can build relationships," he said.
