Professional Playmakers is officially underway. Georgia World Congress Center Authority welcomed this year’s cohort of students from seven metro Atlanta colleges and universities as the program kicked off, bringing together emerging talent interested in careers in sports and live events.
The opening session featured T.J. Rogers, National Sales Manager at Georgia World Congress Center Authority, and Margaret Beckley, Community Relations Manager at Atlanta Sports Council, who shared insights on hosting world-class events and the impact they have on Atlanta and the state of Georgia.
Over the coming weeks, participants will engage with industry leaders, gain behind-the-scenes access to Georgia World Congress Center Authority campus, and build career-ready skills across marketing, operations, sponsorships, media, and event production. The program also prepares students for potential internship opportunities supporting FIFA Fan Festival™ at Centennial Olympic Park this summer.
Georgia World Congress Center Authority is proud to invest in the next generation of leaders shaping the sports and events industry.
What Students Gain
🤝 Network & Build Relationships
- Students meet once a week for two months (March–April 2026) to hear from industry leaders through engaging panel discussions. Topics span key areas of the sports and events business, including marketing, operations, finance, sustainability, and more.
🏟️ Explore World-Class Venues
- Go behind the scenes with guided tours of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority campus—home to major events, conferences, and championships throughout the year.
🚀 Career Development Support
- Sharpen your professional edge with resume guidance and interview prep designed to help you stand out in a competitive job market.
💼 Paid Internship Opportunity
- Students who excel in the program may be offered a paid internship supporting the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain hands-on experience during a global event.
Professional Playmakers is more than a program—it’s a launchpad. If you’re curious, motivated, and ready to play a role in unforgettable events, this is your chance to step into the game.
2026 Program Sessions
Participants will meet once a week, Wednesdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Georgia World Congress Center from March 18 to April 29 to hear from guest speakers.
| Date | Program Session |
|---|---|
| March 18 | Welcome and Introduction to Hosting Major Sporting Events Behind the scenes look at hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup – Who are the key players, what is the bidding process, how is the event funded, what are some complexities, what type of impact will this have on the city of Atlanta and state of Georgia |
| March 25 | Producing the FIFA Fan Festival Venue mapping, creative narrative, media operations, programming, premium experiences, food & beverage, public safety |
| April 1 | The Business Behind the Brand (Sponsorships & Media Broadcasting) Panel discussion opportunity for global and local brands to share their activation and marketing strategies |
| April 8 | Leaving a Legacy through Community Impact Session focused on community programming, including sustainability and vendor engagement |
| April 15 | Writing a Winning Resume Workshop & Job Interviewing Tips Career-building segment designed to help students successfully land job opportunities |
| April 22 | Mock Interviews Students participate in mock interviews with industry professionals for real-time feedback on job interviewing techniques |
| April 29 | Culminating Celebration Networking session that culminates the program, enabling students to reflect and discuss key learnings |
