With the World Cup behind it, Go North KC is preparing for a new chapter focused on sports tourism, expanded business promotion and partnerships intended to sustain its regional marketing efforts.

Clay County Tourism and Marketing Manager Megan Sahlfeld outlined the initiative’s future during a recent commissioner meeting, highlighting plans to attract sports-related visitors, strengthen support for Northland businesses and introduce paid partnership opportunities in 2027.

Sahlfeld pointed to Missouri’s fiscal 2025 tourism report, which she said identified $717.6 million in tourism spending and nearly 13,000 tourism-related jobs in Clay County.

Go North KC, a joint tourism initiative between Clay and Platte counties, was developed ahead of the World Cup to promote the Kansas City Northland. As part of those efforts, the initiative worked with local communities, chambers of commerce and businesses to organize seven free watch parties throughout the region, which Sahlfeld said drew more tha…