Choosing the right man, or woman, for the job

Each World Expo provides its guests with a pleasant experience by offering them a multitude of pavilions and exhibitions. In most cases, the Expo is powered by a supportive national government that aims to foster better relations with its participants.

This effort is embodied in the figure of the commissioner-general, who heads up each country's respective delegation to the Expo. Among this selected group of VIPs it is common to find high-ranking politicians and prominent figures in the worlds of art and commerce.

Mark Rowswell, better known as Dashan, is one of the best examples of the right person for the job. His fluency in Chinese and his skill at xiangsheng, or "cross talk" stand-up comedy, has made him famous in China over the last two decades. Before the 2010 Expo began, he had already become a standard-bearer for his country, Canada, having served as an attach for his national Olympic team during the 2008 Beijing Games.