How to Get a Piece of the 2028 Olympics Event Pie

What are you doing July 21 to Aug. 6 in 2028? The City of Los Angeles will be hosting the Summer Olympic Games, an event that brings a business bonanza to the event industry.

Though 2028 seems a long way off, event planners planning to get in on the Games can take some steps now. Here, a Q&A with Mark Flaisher, head of L.A.-based Mark Flaisher Entertainment. He was part of the team that produced the landmark opening and closing ceremonies for the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, which he dubs "the most fantastic experience of my production life."

Special Events: What steps should event pros think about now if they want a piece of the Olympics pie in 2028?

Mark Flaisher: Event pros should go to LA28.org and sign up to volunteer. They should also go to their favorite social media platform and sign up for updates from LA2028.

The Organizing Committee is not formed yet, so there is plenty of time to become involved.

Another separate route would to build relationships with the Olympic sponsors. They will be spending millions of dollars on hospitality and entertainment.

SE: How do they get their business in shape to pass muster as vendor partners? Do they need certain documentation, for example?

MF: It’s too early to know what criteria will be in place, but if you are among the best in your particular specialty in the events field, you will have a better chance of being selected.  Use the next few years to build your event portfolio and make sure you can present your work electronically as well as in written form.

Doing good work in the meantime for any of the Olympic venues may help in getting selected. For example, UCLA will host the Athletes Village and USC will host the media.

SE: How do we find whom to contact?

MF: It’s too early to contact anyone. And please don’t drive the people from the bid committee crazy by calling them. They just gave Los Angeles such an incredible gift, let’s give them a chance to create the Organizing Committee.

When the Olympic Organizing Committee is formed, they will let people know about their application process.

SE: Is working on the Olympics similar to working on other big events, or is it a different breed of cat?

MF: Working on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, my hometown, was one of the greatest moments of my life. Seventy-two thousand Angelenos created a phenomenal Games, against the odds, and left a living legacy--the LA84 Foundation.  

In fact, if you want to do something today, go to LA84.org and volunteer your time and make a donation.

SE: Would you ever work on the Olympic Games again?

MF: Yes, in heartbeat.