World Cup 101 & Business Resources

About the presentation:

Learn how your business can benefit from the 2026 World Cup’s economic impact. Join us for networking, insights, & key resources to prepare!We invite business owners and entrepreneurs to a networking educational event to explore the details surrounding the World Cup in 2026 and the economic impact this event will generate across the USA.Topics to be discussed:

• Overview of the World Cup, for instance, how many people are expected to attend, where the official fan zone is located, where people will travel from, dates of games, etc.
• Overview of the types of businesses that may be able to benefit from the World Cup, for instance, restaurants, shuttle providers, security services, translation services, marketing firms, suppliers, and much more.
• Resources that currently exist in Newark to support business owners in preparing and or promoting themselves.

About the speakers:

Gus Penaranda

As the CEO and President of Evolvere Consulting Inc, I am dedicated to advancing theinterests of LGBTQ+ and ally businesses. With a Master's degree in Public PolicyAnalysis and International Relations from William Paterson University of New Jersey, Ihave a strong background in policy analysis and strategic communications. My missionis to certify 5,000 LGBTQ+ businesses in NJ by 2030 and build the world’s largesttransnational trade network for LGBTQ+ enterprises.

I also serve as a Business Development Officer (BDO) for BCB Bank where I promote andsupport the economic growth and development of small to midsize businesses througheducation, networking, and community engagement. I am passionate about creating apro-business environment that supports LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, innovators, and alliedbusinesses. This also includes promoting the largest sporting event to ever take placeon the planet, the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In partnership with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Latina Surge, weare creating resources for Main Street businesses to use to attract tourists coming forthe World Cup to their location, venue or event

Elisa Charters

Elisa Charters is a passionate advocate for social responsibility and economic mobility.She is a seasoned executive strategist with 25+ years of public-sector finance andtransactional experience. Elisa's extensive experience in government led to appointmentsby four consecutive governors in the State of New Jersey, including to the NJ Health CareFacilities Financing Authority (Vice Chair), the Board of Trustees of NJIT (ExecutiveCommittee & NJII Board Director), and most recently Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s Transition Teamon Innovation and Economic Development.Elisa has been a long-standing entrepreneur. Being passionate about addressing theepidemic of loneliness and improving community health, she founded Juegos AI Lab toapply ‘human-centric’ technology, innovation and AI to facilitate scheduling andcoordination for in-person meet-ups. Her innovations drive engagement and economicgrowth via Juegos Business, a small business software, and Juegos Government, amunicipal enterprise software. This uniquely integrated ‘social and economic enterpriseengine’ optimizes human connection and outcomes with AI.Elisa’s vision is to connect people for higher quality of life experiences, added engagementlocally at Main Street businesses, and in government supporting economic growth. The Lablaunched the integrated ‘Juegos Social’ mobile app on the Apple Store and Google Play inFebruary 2026.

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