Sports Diplomacy Forum
Details
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Driving Economic Development, Community Engagement, and Diplomacy
Meridian International Center presents a bold new forum exploring the powerful intersection of sports, diplomacy, and global investment. This inaugural forum convenes industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and cultural influencers to explore the powerful role of sports as a catalyst for economic growth, community development, and global engagement.
Through high-impact discussions and curated networking, participants will examine how strategic investment and cross-sector collaboration in sports can unlock new markets, drive innovation, and strengthen a nation’s global brand.
Designed to generate actionable partnerships, the forum will spotlight successful models, public-private initiatives, and policy solutions that position sports as a core pillar of cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.
The Decade of American Sports Diplomacy
The U.S. will host the FIFA World Cup, LA28 Olympics, Salt Lake City Winter Olympics 2034, and more. These are more than sporting events. They’re global stages for American leadership, economic diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
Sports are one of the most powerful tools to reach people across borders, ideologies, and generations. They open markets, shape culture, build trust, and drive influence at unmatched speed and scale.
Meridian recognizes this power—not just as entertainment, but as a strategic asset in U.S. diplomacy and global engagement.
About the Meridian Center for Sports and Cultural Diplomacy
The Meridian Center for Sports and Cultural Diplomacy is a force multiplier for U.S. soft power—mobilizing athletes, artists, and cultural leaders as frontline diplomats to build trust and foster international connection where traditional diplomacy may not reach. As global attention turns to America’s 250th anniversary, the Olympics, and the World Cup, we are catalyzing a network of cultural leaders and institutions to develop high-impact international partnerships and programs.