Atlanta is about to get a powerful boost for its entrepreneurial community. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) has joined forces with Airbnb and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) to host the “Hustle & Grow” Small Business Summit — a one-day event designed to arm local business owners and homeowners with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive as the city gears up for one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
The summit is scheduled for Friday, May 29, at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs in Atlanta, and will provide resources and insight for entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations. The timing is no coincidence — the event comes directly ahead of Atlanta’s turn in the global spotlight.
Hustle & Grow Summit Targets Atlanta Entrepreneurs Before FIFA World Cup 2026
The summit will take place ahead of Atlanta’s hosting of FIFA World Cup matches taking place in June and July. Williams and Airbnb hope to connect with and instill knowledge in home and business owners as an influx of visitors heads to the Atlanta area.
The stakes are real and the numbers back it up. A new report finds that Airbnb guests visiting Atlanta for the 2026 World Cup could generate about $70 million in economic activity, support hundreds of jobs, and boost local businesses during and after the tournament. That kind of economic wave doesn’t come around often, and Williams wants her constituents to be ready to ride it.
Beyond homeowners, the summit also targets small business operators who stand to benefit from the surge in foot traffic and consumer spending during match weeks. The message is clear: preparation today leads to profit tomorrow.
Rep. Nikema Williams Champions Economic Justice for Atlanta’s Fighting Fifth District
Williams is no stranger to fighting for Atlanta’s working communities. Congresswoman Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fighting Fifth Congressional District in her third term, uplifting the legacy of her friend, mentor and predecessor, the late Congressman John Lewis. She is a dedicated member of the House Financial Services Committee, where she champions affordable housing, works to close the racial wealth gap, and fights for a financial system that prioritizes working families over corporate profits.
The Fifth District is built by all of its communities, including the cities of Atlanta, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Forest Park, Lake City, Morrow and South Fulton — and is home to world-class institutions of higher education, the busiest airport in the world, and advocates, activists and leaders in every sphere.
For Williams, the Hustle & Grow Summit is more than a one-day event. It is a direct extension of her ongoing push to reduce economic inequality and give everyday Atlantans — not just large corporations — a real seat at the table when major opportunities arrive.
Airbnb and RICE Join Forces to Support Atlanta’s Small Business Community
Expected attendees include RICE’s executive leadership, such as the center’s Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Partnerships, Quintin Bostic Ph.D. As a cornerstone of Atlanta’s entrepreneurial scene, RICE brings both credibility and community to the event.
The collaboration makes sense. Airbnb has been aggressively recruiting new hosts in Atlanta ahead of the World Cup. The company is offering a $750 incentive for becoming a new host by July 31, along with troubleshooting, support teams, and education for new and current hosts. Combining that outreach with Williams’ political reach and RICE’s on-the-ground entrepreneurial networks creates a uniquely powerful gathering.
Airbnb wants homeowners to capitalize on the moment where housing is essential for non-local World Cup enthusiasts. Understanding the financial potential surrounding the tournament, the company wants homeowners to stay ahead of the game and develop their rental side hustles before kick-off.
RICE Scholarship Award and Wells Fargo Recognition to Highlight the Event
The Hustle & Grow Summit will go beyond panels and networking. The event will also bestow a RICE scholarship award, presented by Wells Fargo, to help one recipient take their professional ambitions further. As a hub for Atlanta’s entrepreneurial scene, RICE will provide the space as its mission drives local business growth and success.
This scholarship component elevates the summit from a one-time event into a tangible investment in the future of Atlanta’s small business community. It signals that the partners behind this initiative are not just offering advice — they are putting real resources on the line.
For entrepreneurs in the room, the award also serves as a reminder that support is available and that stepping into the spotlight of the World Cup moment could be the catalyst that changes the trajectory of their business.
Atlanta Homeowners Stand to Earn Thousands During the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The financial opportunity at stake is hard to ignore. A study commissioned by Airbnb says the average earnings per Airbnb host in Atlanta will be about $3,700 throughout the World Cup games. For many households, that kind of supplemental income could make a meaningful difference.
Sam Randall, corporate communications director with Airbnb, noted that millions of people are going to travel to North America for what will be the biggest sporting event in the world this year, and a large percentage will be coming to Atlanta. “It’s a huge economic opportunity for those interested in listing their space,” Randall said.
Short-term rental demand is already building. Metro Atlanta short-term rentals are already filling up, and the World Cup could be the biggest short-term rental event that has come to the United States. Getting set up now, rather than scrambling at the last minute, is exactly the kind of forward-thinking approach the Hustle & Grow Summit is designed to encourage.
How to Register for the Hustle & Grow Small Business Summit in Atlanta
The Hustle & Grow Small Business Summit will lend support, empowerment, and tools needed to reach new heights in entrepreneurship. Interested attendees can register via Eventbrite.
The summit is a free opportunity for Atlanta entrepreneurs to get direct access to lawmakers, industry leaders, and one of the world’s leading tech platforms — all in one room. Whether you are a homeowner curious about listing your property, a small business owner looking to grow during the World Cup season, or a budding entrepreneur looking for your next step, this event was built with you in mind.
With the World Cup just weeks away, the window to prepare and position is narrowing fast. The Hustle & Grow Summit on May 29 offers Atlanta’s community a real shot at turning a global moment into a local win.
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