Our Moment Is Here

There are moments when a city’s self-image is tested not by what it says about itself, but by what it’s asked to do when the world is watching. For Kansas City, that moment is no longer approaching—it has arrived.

In less than three months, the FIFA World Cup will bring an estimated 650,000 visitors into this region. Six matches at Kansas City Stadium—we know it as Arrowhead—will anchor a global spectacle, but the real stage extends far beyond those gates. It stretches into our neighborhoods, along our transit corridors, across our main streets, and into every interaction between resident and visitor.

The question now is whether Kansas City will shine. To be clear, much has already been done—more than many might realize. The organizing force behind this effort, KC2026, has mobilized more than 500 organizations across civic, corporate, and non-profit sectors. More than 16,000 people have raised their hands to volunteer. A regional transportation plan—ConnectKC26—has secured 215 motor coaches, exceeding baseline requirements and signaling serious intent to move people efficiently across a two-state footprint.

The business community, as it so often does here, has stepped forward. Through the KC Game Plan initiative, thousands of small businesses have engaged with readiness tools, training sessions, and procurement opportunities. Nearly 300 have already completed formal readiness assessments. That matters—not just for the World Cup, but for what comes after it.

Because this isn’t just about a tournament. It’s about trajectory.

There was a time when Kansas City was a more formidable player in the convention and tourism space. The American Royal, major trade shows, national political conventions—these weren’t anomalies. They were part of a steady rhythm that brought outsiders in and sent them home with stories worth repeating.

Over time, that competitive edge dulled. Other cities invested more aggressively. Perceptions shifted. Kansas City remained a great place to live and do business—but not always a first-choice destination for conventions and global events were never in the narrative.

This World Cup changes that narrative—if we let it.

The framework is in place. Plans have been drafted, refined, and, in many cases, executed. Public-safety coordination spans dozens of agencies. Hospitals are preparing. City leaders are smoothing regulatory pathways so businesses can respond in real time. Even the details—temporary signage, pop-up retail, outdoor activations—are being addressed with a level of intentionality that speaks to experience gained from events like the NFL Draft.

And yet, for all that progress, this is not a moment for quiet confidence. It is a moment for urgency. The difference between a well-managed event and a transformative one comes down to participation.

The KC2026 Community Activation Playbook makes that point plainly: this cannot be a Downtown-only experience. Visitors will not remember Kansas City for an isolated venue. They will remember how it felt—how easy it was to navigate, how welcoming it seemed, how alive it was beyond just the matches.

That puts the onus on all of us, but especially on the business community. There is still time—just enough—to close gaps.

Transportation remains one of them. Moving hundreds of thousands of people through a region not historically known for robust transit will require more than buses. It will require coordination, communication, and, yes, volunteers who can guide, assist, and troubleshoot in real time.

Visitor engagement is another. A fan wandering into a neighborhood café, a retail shop, or a local attraction should feel not just accommodated, but genuinely welcomed. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when businesses prepare their staffs, extend their hours, think creatively about offerings, and embrace the role of ambassador.

Then there’s the simple matter of presence. Empty storefronts, quiet districts, missed opportunities for activation—those are the things visitors notice just as much as the marquee events. The city has taken steps to address this, including initiatives to temporarily activate vacant spaces with local businesses and artists. But those efforts need participation to succeed.

What’s at stake is much, much larger.

A $653 million economic impact is significant, but it is also fleeting if not leveraged. The real prize is reputational: the chance to reintroduce Kansas City to the world as a place capable of hosting, engaging, and inspiring on a global scale.

That kind of impression pays dividends for years—in tourism, in business recruitment, in talent attraction.

What remains is the final push: More volunteers. More business participation. More attention to the details that shape perception—because perception, once formed, is hard to change. 

Kansas City has always had the substance. This is our chance to prove we have the scale. The world will be watching us—how we move, how we welcome, how we rise to the occasion. 

The moment is here. The only question left is whether we will meet it halfway—or seize it completely. Carpe Diem! 

How KC Exceeded Expectations and Set the Standard for Hospitality 

There I was, attending the Alliance of Area Business Publishers board meeting in Chicago in 1998 where I participated in two agenda items. First, I was assigned to recruit the keynote speaker for our 1999 Summer Conference in Washington, D.C. “I’ll recruit Steve Forbes to be our keynote,” I said. That was when four colleagues bet me $100. Forbes was not only a colleague but also a presidential candidate. I recruited Forbes to Washington.

The second agenda item was to determine the host city for our 2000 Summer Conference, which I was well-prepared to present to host in KC. Our paid association manager had a different agenda. “Let’s just host this in Chicago—there are more flights and we have relationships with convention hotels.” “All you need is one flight,” I said. Matt Toledo from the LA Business Journal, then association president, stepped in and said that Sweeney had a proposal to bring the 2000 Summer Conference to Kansas City. At this point I went into a benefit package that no host city ever dreamed of presenting. I wondered to myself then and for months to follow how we were going to deliver. We did, and this great city dressed for the occasion and helped masterfully. Area restaurants provide extraordinary service and went above and beyond to accommodate our members—important to note that combined we have 6 million executive readers. First impressions can be and were amplified. The opening reception at our home at Historic Longview Farm included the last vote opportunity for the Best BBQ category of the Best of Kansas City. Six great restaurants helped to cater the event. Longtime friend Charlie Wald sold me a post 4th of July fireworks display (26 minutes and choreographed to patriotic music). KC iconic musicians Tim Whitmer and David Basse helped recruit what may have been the greatest jazz band to convene and perform in Kansas City’s history. This group of 18 musicians blew away all in attendance and nearly every neighbor within a half mile.

The theme of our Conference was “Kansas City and All That Jazz.” The story of Charlie “Yardbird” Parker accompanied invitations and this photo was of Michelle and I being presented a parakeet named “Charlie” and receiving a standing ovation from 400 appreciative colleagues. The image we were unable to capture, however, was them flipping us the bird. 

This is just one story of an organization and its ties to a great city and how even the smallest of companies can align and provide memorable impact. We would like to challenge you and your organization, family and friends to get creative and serve as Kansas City’s ambassadors to visitors coming here for the World Cup. This is a once in a lifetime event and I strongly believe this is the most significant opportunity in this city’s history to leverage and become known as a remarkable destination city. 

We’re a few months away from the World Cup events but Showtime starts now. Good luck all and let’s align, exceed expectations and provide the greatest guest experience ever. 

PUBLISHED MARCH 2026