Morris County’s 31st Partners in Economic Development Awards Ceremony

2026 FIFA World Cup Anticipated to Boost County Economy

More than 100 business leaders and dignitaries from around the state came together at the Morristown Hyatt Regency last week for the 31st Partners in Economic Development Awards ceremony to honor the companies, individuals and associations impacting business and tourism in Morris County.

“These awards honor those who help make Morris County the best place to live, work and play,” said Director Christine Myers of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners. “Thanks to our thriving business community, we’ve been able to prioritize investments not only for our infrastructure, but public safety, education, human services and, of course, economic development, because that is a key to our continued success.”

The theme of the event was “Trends in Downtown Development,” and guests were introduced to the economic and tourism opportunities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted by New Jersey and New York. It’s the first time the World Cup has been hosted in the U.S. since 1994.

The five-week tournament scheduled for summer 2026 is slated to be the “world’s biggest event ever,” according to Lauren LaRusso, NY/NJ World Cup 2026 Host Committee and Co-Host City Manager. She was the keynote speaker at the Economic Development Awards.

The impact to the area economy is expected to exceed $2 billion, with an additional 14,000 jobs and 1 million visitors, and media impact will also be substantial. In 2022, 1.5 billion viewers tuned in to watch World Cup matches -- more than the viewership of the last 13 Super Bowls combined, according to LaRusso.

“2026 is a critical year for New Jersey Tourism, as the FIFA World Cup presents a unique opportunity for New Jersey to showcase itself on the global stage while generating awareness of the state’s exciting and diverse tourism offerings,” said Jeff Vasser, Executive Director of the NJ Division of Travel & Tourism. He also introduced New Jersey’s newest marketing campaign titled, “Little State, Lotta WOW.”

Morris County is known as an economic powerhouse with a Gross Regional Product of more than $60 billion, an economy larger than several states.

“We made a record investment of $900,000 in Economic Development and Tourism, including $100,000 for American Revolution planning, underscoring our commitment to stimulating local economies and preserving cultural heritage,” said Myers. “Visitors will come from far and wide to witness the live action of the FIFA World Cup in our neighboring county, but let’s make sure they see everything Morris County has to offer.”

Thomas Abdallah, Vice President Environmental Services & Chief Environmental Engineer MTA New York City Transit, spoke about improving mass transit and was part of a panel discussion focused on how new office development, multifamily and unique retail creates value by leveraging proximity to transit.

“We are thankful for the leadership and partnership of our county commissioners and Morris County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, which have allowed us to develop a robust ecosystem,” said Craig Schlosser, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Morris County Economic Development Alliance and Morris County Tourism Bureau. “This joint annual event demonstrates the strong partnership we have within the Chamber and the innovative model we employ to create new opportunities and drive economic development throughout Morris County.”

To see details on the award winners and their profiles, visit the Morris County Economic Development Alliance event page.

“Attending the awards is an investment in both personal and community growth, fostering the overall development of Morris County,” said Meghan Hunscher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Morris County’s Chamber of Commerce. “It’s an occasion ripe with potential for gaining new insights, uncovering emerging opportunities and building impactful connections that could shape the future of our economic landscape.”

Continuing the tradition started in 2022, the program was hosted in partnership between the Morris County Economic Development Corp., a division of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, and the affiliated 501(c)(3), the Morris County Economic Development Alliance and its Tourism Division, the Morris County Tourism Bureau.