John J. Clendening & Jeff Baum, Clients First | The Jeff Crilley Show

Dallas–Fort Worth will host more 2026 World Cup matches than any other city in North America. With an estimated $2.1 billion economic impact and millions of visitors expected, the big question is: how can local businesses get a piece of it? On this episode of The Jeff Crilley Show, Jeff sits down with John J. Clendening, Founding Principal of Clients First Marketing & Communications, and partner Jeff Baum. Together, they’ve led global marketing and communications teams for seven Fortune 500 companies and are now launching “Team DFW,” a grassroots initiative designed to help small businesses turn World Cup traffic into lasting customer growth. They discuss:- Why bars, restaurants, and retail centers are positioned to benefit most- Creative pre‑World Cup ideas like country‑themed weeks (think Argentina Week with food, wine, and music)- How organized watch parties can drive serious foot traffic- Using PR, local influencers, and digital marketing to convert one‑time visitors into repeat customers With only a fraction of the projected 3.8 million visitors attending matches in person, most fans will be looking for places to gather and watch. This conversation breaks down how to prepare now. Learn more: https://www.clientsfirstmc.com