African-American Chamber of Commerce keys on economic outlook, 2026 opportunities for Black-owned businesses

As preparations and expectations intensify for Philadelphia's star turn in 2026, the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware gathered stakeholders together at Live Hotel & Casino in Philadelphia on Wednesday to ask the question all small business owners want answered: How can we become a key part of the 2026 economic engine?

The event – the chamber’s last stop on its economic outlook tour – focused on the region’s 2026 events, including the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game and Philadelphia 250 celebrations. 

“In 2026, the city will be buzzing with global visitors, major events and unprecedented opportunities for local business,” said Regina Hairston, president and CEO of AACC. “This kind of economic energy only happens a few times in a generation.” 

Pennsylvania Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, who shared DGS’s initiatives to support small businesses, said the Shapiro administration is seeking to ensure a wide range of positive outcomes from what, by all accounts, will be a landmark year for the city and the state. 

“The Southeast region is going to see transformational change,” McNeil said. “Philly is going to be booming with opportunities of all kinds, and these projects will have an immense impact.”

Best foot forward

With a focus on the city’s priorities, projects and partnerships, speakers discussed ways in which the major events can become a “boom” for businesses and the region, including Elka Murillo, vice president of 2026 Initiatives for Philadelphia250, who emphasized that the events need to “reach beyond the parkways.”

“We’re really led by our community, for our community, so everything that we are producing is in lockstep with our small businesses, with our corridors and with our Center City District,” she added.

David Adelman, CEO of Campus Apartments and a limited partner with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, spoke of how the major events and a new 76ers and Flyers arena can provide larger economic and community development impacts beyond next year’s spectacles. 

Referring to Philadelphia’s project pipeline, Adelman said there’s a perfect opportunity for cross-sector collaboration to help meet the expected needs. 

“It’s (about) going across the city and saying: ‘What are all the different people who contribute to the economy?’” he said. “The universities, hospitals, large private developers, unions – get them all in a room and (help them) understand (everyone’s projects).” 

Utilizing data and public-private partnerships, he said, can go a long way in preparing for projects and having the necessary businesses and services ready to act when the time comes. 

Tiffanie Stanard, CEO of Stimulus, a tech company focused on connecting suppliers with companies, said the procurement process can be streamlined to ensure the right opportunities are presented to businesses – not only in 2026, but beyond. 

“There are a lot of clunky tools in the procurement space, and not a lot of usage of data that can not only prepare you for 2026 but also what is after 2026, or what’s happening right now in 2025,” said Stanard, who is aligning 2026 procurement efforts for the City of Philadelphia. “You’re not just getting that one-off opportunity, that one contract.”

“For us, it’s about thinking on both the buyer and vendor side … making sure that the buyers find what they’re looking for (and) the suppliers have the information as soon as possible to prepare accordingly.”

Strategy and success

Philadelphia City Councilmember Nina Ahmad stressed that the city – and its small businesses – can best benefit by continuing to have similar discussions going forward. 

“The real success of these events will be measured in not just an alliance or hotel bookings. It will be measured in how much wealth is built in our Black communities,”Ahmad said. “It’s not going to happen because we say some words. We have to see how we’re implementing that infrastructure to be inclusive, to make sure there’s diversity.” 

Murillo, who promoted the benefit of FIFA FanFest celebrations and other scheduled events around the city, said brick-and-mortar businesses should “do their homework” to align with what events – and the types of people – are coming to the city. 

“Freshen up your storefront … you really want to be inviting,” Murillo said.

Mike Harris, vice president of marketing and government affairs for the Philadelphia Phillies, doubled down on that sentiment, stating that businesses “going with the flow” for a sporting event – like a Super Bowl or World Series – is a prime example of being proactive in the space. 

“They’ll adjust their hours, they’ll create a new offering, they’ll host a watch party,” Harris said. “Anytime you can align with an advanced-energy audience, it puts you in a position for success.”

On behalf of the City Council, Ahmad said the city is preparing to ensure that historically disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities have a golden opportunity to grow from the upcoming events. 

“When Black businesses thrive, Philadelphia thrives,” Ahmad said. “When we invest in under-represented entrepreneurs, we unlock innovation, because people think differently when you have to scramble – you can bring that innovative thinking.”