The Countdown Begins: Businesses Should Be Doing This Now for LA28

Three years from now, the spotlight will be on us as we host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For Southern California businesses, the countdown isn’t just a clock. It’s an exclusive invitation.

In 1984, the Olympic torch brought neighbors into the streets and small businesses into the action. Long before hashtags or influencer campaigns, cafés hosted viewing parties, shops created “Go Team USA” windows, and local brands grew, becoming part of the global story.

Today, the stage is even bigger, and now it’s digital. Hospitality, partnerships, and online visibility are key to reconnecting local pride with global excitement. The question is: what should your business be doing today to get in the Games?

Here are some ideas from the presentation I gave to the Los Alamitos Chamber:

Five Keys to Getting Olympic-Ready

1. Contract-Ready

Opportunities to support LA28 are already emerging, from catering and event logistics to printing, décor, transportation, and more. Businesses that want to compete need to make sure they’re contract-ready:

• Current business licenses

• Adequate insurance

• Required certifications (WBE, MBE, SBE, or DBE if applicable)

• SAM.gov or LA28 supplier registration

Now is the time to tighten the paperwork, review compliance, and be ready when bids open.

2. Partnerships

The Olympics reward collaboration. Most winning contracts will come from teams of businesses that bundle complementary services: an event planner and caterer, a transportation provider and hotel group, a signage company and designer.

Look locally. The right partnership can elevate your offer from “nice idea” to “must have.”

3. Fan-First

The Games are built on emotion, energy, and unforgettable experiences. Businesses that think like fans (not just vendors) will stand out. How can your space, service, or story make people feel part of the Games?

Create memorable moments: branded viewing parties, themed menus, athlete-inspired events, or pop-up experiences that bring the Olympic spirit to life in your community.

4. Digital & Visible

Before customers walk through your door, they’ll scroll through your feed. A strong digital presence is key to your visibility. Mobile-optimized websites, active social medial channels, and up-to-date business listings are essential.

If your digital storefront isn’t ready for the surge of visitors, now’s the moment to tune it up.

5. Local Spirit

In 1984, small towns and big cities across Southern California turned the Games into a local celebration. In 2028, that same pride can shine through again, in storefront displays, themed promotions, and neighborhood watch parties.

Every business, from cafés to car dealerships, can be part of the story. Start planning how you’ll show your colors.

Community & Opportunity

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and LA28 organizers are already shaping volunteer programs, hospitality initiatives, and sponsorship tiers. They are all designed to connect communities and build local impact.

For Long Beach in particular, the Games will bring competition venues, media attention, and new audiences. Businesses that engage early will build goodwill, attract visibility, and contribute to the spirit that makes this region shine.

Start now. Contracts are opening, partnerships are forming, and the window for visibility is beginning to close.

Schedule a 1:1 Olympic Readiness session with Zydeco Design to align your brand, partnerships, and visibility strategy before the clock runs out.

Let’s get in the Games - together.