The FIFA World Cup brought global attention to South Florida, but local small businesses helped make the experience possible, creating jobs, supporting the regional economy and demonstrating the vital role entrepreneurs play in helping communities thrive.
This article first appeared on Reuters Plus and is republished here with permission. Read the original article on Reuters Plus.
Key Points
- South Florida small businesses helped support FIFA World Cup fan experiences in Miami, including food service, production and event operations.
- The tournament created employment opportunities and additional business activity during a season that is typically slower for many local companies.
- Companies such as SWARM Entertainment Group and AVTC Production Group used the event to showcase their capabilities to an international audience.
- Business leaders say major events can create lasting economic benefits for local communities, workers and small businesses.
When the world's attention turned to Miami for the World Cup, fans saw packed venues, vibrant celebrations and unforgettable moments on the field. What many didn't see was the network of local small businesses working behind the scenes to bring those experiences to life.
For TD small business clients SWARM Entertainment Group and AVTC Production Group, the World Cup was more than just another event. It was an opportunity to showcase Miami's entrepreneurial spirit, create jobs during a typically slower season and demonstrate that local businesses can deliver when the world is watching.
Turning a Park into a World-Class Fan Destination
At Bayfront Park, where thousands of fans gathered daily for the FIFA Fan Festival, Miami-based SWARM Entertainment Group played a critical role in creating the guest experience.
Founded in 2017, the Latino-owned company is one of South Florida's leading food and beverage concessionaires and also produces large-scale experiential activations.
For Chief Financial Officer Hector Santana, the scale of the World Cup presented an entirely different challenge.
"We have been preparing for this event since October 2025," Santana said. "Although we are used to events that reach up to 50,000 people per day, this event took much more time and effort to prepare for. This was the most international event in the world, and it was a pleasure to welcome visitors from so many countries and show them what our company and Miami have to offer."
Unlike a traditional music festival that may run for only a weekend, the Fan Festival operated for 24 consecutive days and required intense logistical planning.
"When you have an event of this size, there are so many moving parts that happen behind the scenes," Santana said. "From providing power, lighting and refrigeration to ingredient replenishments and sustainable service products, everything has to be ready to go in what is essentially a park with no pre-set infrastructure. We are setting up shop to welcome and serve 30,000 people per day for 24 straight days in an area exposed to all of Miami's summer weather challenges."
"It takes a village without a doubt," he added. "We are so proud of our team who made this all happen."
Helping Miami Shine on a Global Stage
While SWARM Entertainment Group focused on feeding and serving fans, Miami-based AVTC Production Group was helping power the experience itself.
Founded in 2016 by David Vadillo, AVTC provides full-service production and logistical support for major events across South Florida. For the FIFA Fan Festival, the company supported main stage operations.
For Vadillo, the World Cup was an opportunity for a homegrown Miami company to show that local businesses can deliver at the same level as the world's largest event partners.
"We're a full-service production company, and for us it's been a huge win," said Vadillo. "It helps fill what is typically a slower season and brings new energy back into the community. Events like this drive local business, and we're grateful to be a part of it."
Even with years of experience supporting large-scale events such as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Vadillo said one aspect of the Fan Festival stood out.
"The turnout has been the biggest surprise," Vadillo said. "Every single day has been incredibly busy. At times they had to temporarily stop admitting people because the venue reached capacity. It has exceeded expectations."
A Boost During the Summer Slow Season
The benefits extended far beyond matchdays.
For many South Florida businesses, summer is traditionally a slower period driven by heat, travel patterns and seasonal tourism fluctuations. The World Cup helped change that dynamic.
"The World Cup had a huge impact on our business in a positive way," Santana said. "It created 24 straight days of employment opportunities during a time when Miami is typically in its low season."
SWARM alone mobilized more than 600 team members throughout the event, including bartenders, managers, operations professionals and support staff.
AVTC also created meaningful opportunities for its workforce and network of partners.
The company had between 15 and 20 team members on-site each day. Across the broader operation, Vadillo estimates hundreds of workers from vendors, contractors and production partners came together daily to bring the experience to life.
"The City of Miami has done an incredible job with the Fan Festival," Vadillo said. "It's one of the best-run city events we've worked on. It's family-oriented, highly organized and has created a positive atmosphere throughout downtown."
The Work Fans Never See
While fans may remember the matches, watch parties and celebrations, much of the work happened behind the scenes.
For SWARM, that meant creating a temporary hospitality operation capable of serving tens of thousands of guests each day while navigating South Florida's summer weather, inventory needs, refrigeration systems and countless logistical details.
For AVTC, it meant ensuring production systems, staging elements and event operations continued running smoothly no matter the crowd size or conditions.
Like many South Florida event professionals, Vadillo said weather is always part of the equation.
"When it rains, you pause operations until it's safe, then resume when you can," he said. "The heat is something we simply plan for."
Organizers installed cooling stations and fans throughout the venue and adjusted operations to help guests stay comfortable while enjoying the festivities.
Supporting Growth Behind the Scenes
As both companies scaled up for one of Miami's busiest event moments, their banking relationships became part of the behind-the-scenes support that helped them manage the demand.
Santana pointed to TD’s banking products, including SWARM’s accounts and credit line, as well as the responsiveness of its local banking team.
"TD has been amazing to work with," Santana said. "They have not only provided us with quality banking products such as our accounts and credit line, but also great service. It is one of the few banks of this size where you can pick up the phone and have someone willing to help us on the spot. It is very hard to find these days."
He added that working with the TD bankers who support his account has been "nothing but a pleasure."
Vadillo echoed that sentiment.
"TD has also been a great partner in helping us meet the needs of our clients as demand increased," Vadillo said.
A Lasting Impact Beyond the Final Whistle
Nick Miceli, Regional President, Southeast Metro at TD Bank U.S., said that activity reflects a broader regional lift.
"The World Cup is giving South Florida an extra season," Miceli said. "While the matches may be the main attraction, many visitors are turning their trip into an extended vacation, spending time at our beaches, restaurants, hotels and attractions before and after kickoff."
"That's driving temporary volume for businesses across the region, not just those closest to the stadiums," he added. "For many tourism-related businesses, this is typically a slower time of year, so the tournament is providing a nice lift."
For Santana, the event created opportunities for hundreds of employees and gave SWARM a chance to showcase its capabilities internationally. For Vadillo, it demonstrated the strength of Miami's event industry and the community's appetite for large-scale experiences.
In fact, when asked what advice he would offer FIFA and future organizers, his answer was simple.
"Go bigger," Vadillo said. "Extend the events, make them longer and create even larger experiences. The demand is there. People have embraced the Fan Festival and want more of it."
With the final whistle blown, the tournament's legacy for South Florida's small business community may be found in something less visible than a trophy or final score.
It is the proof that local entrepreneurs, hospitality operators, production professionals and event experts can deliver when the lights are brightest.
For companies like SWARM Entertainment Group and AVTC, the World Cup showcased Miami's talent, creativity and resilience to the world, reminding fans that behind every unforgettable experience is a small business making big things happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did South Florida small businesses support the FIFA World Cup?
Local businesses helped deliver food service, event production, hospitality, logistics and operational support for World Cup fan experiences in Miami, including the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park.
What impact did the World Cup have on local businesses?
Business leaders interviewed for the story said the tournament increased activity during a period that is often slower for South Florida companies and created additional employment opportunities throughout the event.
How many jobs did the event support?
SWARM Entertainment Group mobilized more than 600 team members during the event, while AVTC Production Group also relied on employees, vendors, contractors and production partners to support daily operations.
Why are major events important for small businesses?
Large events can create opportunities for local companies to reach new customers, generate revenue, create jobs and demonstrate their capabilities on a larger stage. Leaders from both featured companies said the World Cup helped showcase Miami's entrepreneurial community to visitors from around the world.
We hope you found this helpful. This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available as of August 2026 and is subject to change. This content is not intended to be used or acted upon with respect to any client's specific circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with your qualified professionals.
TD Bank, N.A. client who was aware that their testimonial may be featured. Testimonials shared reflect individual experiences and results. Application and approval for individual products is required.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. All rights reserved.
©2026, TD Bank, N.A and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
The TD logo and other TD trademarks are owned by The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its affiliates and are used under license.
TD Bank, N.A., Member FDIC