Local businesses prepare for World Cup tourism with marketing workshop
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Local businesses joined together Monday to discuss marketing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Kansas City.
This is the second World Cup readiness session the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has hosted in efforts to ensure that local businesses are prepared for the influx of travelers coming to St. Joseph.
Susan Campbell of SJC Marketing gave tips and tricks for marketing to international travelers. Annette Weeks with Aspire Business Consulting said the World Cup is bringing a whole new clientele to St. Joseph.
"There's definitely things that businesses need to know in marketing to the world and internationally," she said. "What SEO (Search Engine Optimization) words to use, how to get your website prepared, and what's the digtal marketing is needed?"
Weeks said promoting the culture in St. Joseph is huge.
"When they come here, they want the experience, and one of the things we're known for is The Pony Express. We're recommending that they embed that into the marketing for their business," she said. "We'll come together as a community and market that experience."
Due to the popularity of the World Cup, Weeks said it's important for the community and local businesses to come together.
"In the United States, we think the Super Bowl is huge, but the World Cup is massive," she said. "Many countries will take four to six weeks off to come to this. They base their whole year around attending the World Cup. It's so exciting that we get to participate in an opportunity like this."
An overall takeaway from the workshop was the marketing strategy local businesses should look into during the World Cup.
"St. Joseph has a great story to tell from many aspects, but especially with the Pony Express that we embrace. It's just a great opportunity to expand who we are and what we are and brag about it, and let others know our history," Weeks said.
Weeks said being proactive and working together can help St. Joseph be that destination place.
"That's why we are having these workshops," she said. The community is already discussing it, there is a committee along with that as we pull in and educate the small business owners and the nonprofits, with all of us coming together with a unified understanding and unified voice whats really important."
The next meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 9 at The Launch Pad. Speakers will share more about how businesses can be financially ready as the World Cup approaches.
