Experience High-Level Networking and Panel Discussion with Hollywood Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Frierson; Head of Sports and Entertainment Marketing for Bank of America, Cindy Thomas; LA Councilmember Traci Park; President and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Adam Burke; Deputy Mayor of International Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, Dilpreet Sidhu; and Australia's Consul General in Los Angeles, Tanya Bennett
(LOS ANGELES, CA; May 26, 2026) — Community Collective and Spin PR Group, in partnership with the office of California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, will host World Cup Connect: LA on June 8, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at BLANKSPACES Venice Beach, bringing together public officials, international diplomats, and industry leaders for a high-impact convening focused on the global sports economy and international investment.
Timed to align with the opening of the World Cup, the event is designed to capture the surge of global attention, tourism, and cross-border engagement flowing into Los Angeles, positioning the city and the Santa Monica–Venice corridor as a hub for international dialogue and economic opportunity.
The program will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma; Hollywood Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Frierson; Head of Sports and Entertainment Marketing for Bank of America, Cindy Thomas; LA Councilmember Traci Park; President and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Adam Burke; Deputy Mayor of International Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, Dilpreet Sidhu; and Australia's Consul General in Los Angeles, Tanya Bennett. Together, they represent leadership across government, diplomacy, and global economic strategy.
At its core, World Cup Connect: LA explores how sport has evolved into a powerful engine for global economic activity, driving capital flows, tourism, media, and long-term investment opportunities across markets.
“Sport is one of the most powerful economic and cultural forces in the world,” said Michelle Edgar, Founder and CEO of Community Collective. “Global events like the World Cup bring unprecedented levels of international investment and tourism into host cities. This convening is about ensuring Los Angeles captures that momentum, translating global attention into meaningful economic opportunity and long-term growth for our region.”
Hosted in Venice Beach, the event sits within one of the most globally recognized cultural and tourism corridors in the world, offering a unique backdrop for international engagement at the intersection of sport, business, and diplomacy.
The event starts at 5:00 PM, and the panel begins promptly at 5:30 PM with networking to follow. The event will be hosted by BLANKSPACES Venice, a social coworking community and event space for entrepreneurs and freelancers to share space, collaborate, and connect, located at 606 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291.
Tickets for World Cup Connect: LA are $25 and include hosted bites and beverages from partners including Lavain Bakery, Emporium Thai, Fuegos LA, Sonrisa Rum, and Lucky Girl Wines.
Tickets can be purchased at: https://luma.com/7exfewxt?tk=ISwS5g.
Sponsored by: Blankspaces, Visit Venice CA, Venice Chamber of Commerce, Venice Paparazzi, Netherlands LA, Levain Bakery, Spin PR Group, Local Action Marketing, Absolute Live Media Labs, Emporium Thai, Fuegos LA, Sonrisa Rum, and Lucky Girl Wines
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