The Grand Rapids–Kent County Convention & Arena Authority told the Finance & Infrastructure Committee it still lacks a convention‑scale hotel to compete with peer cities and said long‑term capital funding for aging venues will require new revenue sources such as lodging excise taxes.

City staff briefed the council on World Cup programming and readiness, citing about $2.4 million in total budget (approximately $2.0M in 2026 plus ~$395,000 in grants/contributions), watch-party grants, and additional public-safety staffing for game days.

Staff will ask City Council on April 21 to allocate $80,000 to an all‑inclusive Cedar Grove Park project and $10,000 to add 'Fishing Frog' to the permanent collection from the city's 1% public art fund; staff also plans to request general fund dollars for a pilot utility box wrap program instead of using 1% funds for temporary pieces.

Cobb County tourism leaders said Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches and that Cobb expects a significant influx of visitors during a roughly June 15–July 15 window; leaders described base camps, watch-party activations and a new county branding page.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Visit Phoenix and the Fiesta Sports Foundation unveiled a 226‑day countdown clock and promotional activation, saying the event and related activities will bring visitors and an estimated $200 million in economic activity to the Valley. (Speakers: Roxanne Favors; Ron Price; Eric Moses).