FEATURE
In the Game How Businesses Can Plan for World Cup 2026 BY DIANE SEARS
Panelists tell the audience that Orlando is hoping to be named as a host city for World Cup 2026 and is a strong candidate, especially after learning from being a host city in 1993.
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ajor sports events held in Orlando present unique opportunities for local businesses to capitalize on all of the activity surrounding them. But what do those businesses need to do to get themselves ready? Two expert panels considered that question during a networking event in November hosted by CEO Leadership Forums, a peer roundtable organization based in Central Florida. It’s a question people have been asking since Orlando was announced as one of 17 cities vying for 10 or 11 spots in the United States to host 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer games. The U.S. is part of a North American host site along with Canada and Mexico, and official host cities are expected to be announced this year. Held in the lobby of City National Bank in downtown Orlando, the event included the presentation of a check for $26,020.26, a play on the 2026 theme, from CEO Leadership Forums by founder Geoffrey Gallo, a partner with Grennan Fender CPA firm. The presentation to Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske and the topic of the event gave attendees a chance to consider what makes Central Florida special and how each private and public organization fits into the fabric of the community. Proceeds were part of a three-year $100,000 fundraising campaign designed to benefit Valencia students participating in associate and baccalaureate degree programs. The group also fosters student internships with Central Florida’s small business community. “This meets the commitment we made to the college in 2017 to provide financial assistance and employment opportunities to Orlando’s aspiring talent pool,” Gallo said. “We have the strong support of our sponsor companies, which has made this type of gift an annual occurrence.”
Valencia and other educational institutions rely on collaboration with the private sector to produce the talent output necessary to prepare the region for economic growth, Plinske said. “Organizations such as CEO Leadership Forums, local government, and large and small businesses have been the impetus for educational institutions like Valencia to deliver talent where it is needed most.” That mission becomes even more critical with the potential of World Cup 2026.
Large Businesses
The first panel included community leaders who discussed how large businesses and government agencies work together on plans for Orlando to host an event as large as World Cup soccer, which attracts billions of fans from all
From left: Jason Siegel, Geoffrey Gallo, Christine Kefauver, Joanie Schirm, Caesar Lopez and Gary Cohen. i4Biz.com | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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