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Is Your Kansas City Business Ready for the World Cup?

By Brittany Fugate, Founder

Kansas City is expected to welcome more than 650,000 visitors as a host city for six World Cup matches in June and July. Though the actual matches will be at Arrowhead (which they’ll call Kansas City Stadium for the whole event), there will be training sites and base camps throughout the region. That means even more area businesses and organizations can find ways to participate.

This is a huge opportunity for Kansas City-area businesses of all types and sizes, and now is the time to get prepared if you want to be a part of it. KC2026 is a nonprofit organization overseeing strategy and executing host city duties that has a lot of guidance on doing it the right way, and they’ve assembled some resources to help.

Resources for Kansas City-area businesses around the World Cup

For area small businesses or entrepreneurs, KC2026 has created the KC Game Plan Playbook, a guide that helps you navigate the ins and outs of participating in this event. (This isn’t something that happens to KC every day, is it?) Highlights include:

• How to get your operations ready for a flood of international visitors, including adjusting your operating hours, altering your staffing, and making sure your POS is ready for international payments.
• How to make sure you’re financially prepared (including with insurance and permits) if you want to expand your offering for the duration of the event.
• How to market your business or event without violating FIFA trademarks. There are a lot of names and elements you can’t use, but the guide has plenty of compliant ideas you can.

KC2026 has also assembled a Community Playbook for pretty much anyone who wants to understand what will take place and how they can be a part of things. Topics include:

• How (and how not) to host a viewing party for the matches
• Branding and signage dos and don’ts so you’re compliant with trademark law.
• Ideas for hosting community events that make our international guests feel welcome – and how to submit them to a regional calendar for more visibility.

Be sure to fill out the Business Interest Form if you haven’t already to get updates and hear about RFIs and opportunities to support events. If you’re a food and beverage vendor or restaurant, this is your time to shine and share our delicious KC foods with the world. Check out the Fan Festival Food Vendor Interest Form and be a part of the fun!

More information is being added all the time, so watch this page for more, including upcoming visitor demand trend forecasts and hospitality guides. 

Cenetric can help get you ready for the big event

Preparing for this many visitors and a sharp increase in business means you might need some tech help. While Cenetric has extensive experience in helping hospitality companies and restaurants with their IT challenges, we’re ready to help any Kansas City area business that wants to make sure they’re up and running before the crowds arrive. From upgrading technology to implementing stronger security, we’ve got you covered. 

Looking for IT support (for the event or any other time) right here in Kansas City? Cenetric has the experience and availability you need to keep running smoothly 24/7. Tell us about your organization and we’ll be in touch to get started right away.