Applications for the 2026 Professional Playmakers program are now closed.
Georgia World Congress Center Authority looks forward to welcoming this year’s cohort of students as the program begins in the following weeks. Over the coming weeks, participants will engage with industry leaders and gain valuable insight into the dynamic world of sports and live events.
Through weekly sessions, behind-the-scenes experiences, and career development opportunities, students will learn directly from professionals across marketing, operations, sponsorships, media, and event production. The program also prepares participants 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.
🤝 Network & Build Relationships
🏟️ Explore World-Class Venues
🚀 Career Development Support
💼 Paid Internship Opportunity
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.
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 |