Every town has its big moment. A global tournament, a hometown festival, a parade that fills the streets. The question is whether your business is ready to grab it. Meg Kane, the host city executive behind Philadelphia's World Cup effort, joins Gene Marks with a practical playbook any business can run, anywhere. She shares how to lean into the energy, connect with the crowd, and land on vendor lists that organizers call again and again. The spotlight is coming to your town eventually. Here's how to make the most of it when it does.

Take the conversation further with The 39-Day World Cup Playbook. Your guide to staffing smart, managing overtime, and protecting your margins from kickoff to the final whistle: https://bit.ly/48Dpah4

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Topics include:
00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction
01:12 – Meg’s background: Philly, PR & the road to World Cup 2026
04:30 – What a host city executive does
06:38 – Public–private partnership behind the tournament
08:16 – What makes Philadelphia unique as a host city
11:06 – How small businesses can leverage big events
13:21 – Supporting your national team as a marketing asset
17:31 – Connecting directly with fans & federations
20:36 – Real-world examples: Vendors doing it right
23:11 – Using any major event calendar as a growth strategy
27:06 – Wrap up and thank you

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DISCLAIMER:
The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.