KC Global Design Educators Tour 2026
As Kansas City welcomed the world for FIFA World Cup 26™, KC Global Design took full advantage of the moment by hosting two influential educators as part of its second annual Educators Tour.
While the 2025 tour brought 13 educators to Kansas City, this year’s experience, created in partnership with BNIM and DRAW Architecture, was intentionally curated around FIFA World Cup 2026™, allowing for a deeper, more immersive experience with two distinguished guests: Louise Harpman, New York University; and Paola Sanguinetti, Arizona State University.
Louise Harpman
Professor of Architecture, Urban Design and Sustainability
New York University
Paola Sanguinetti
Professor & Director, The Design School
Arizona State University
Over the course of three days, our guests experienced Kansas City through the lens of the architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) industry, gaining an insider look at adaptive reuse projects, innovative developments and the creative collaboration that defines Kansas City’s design and construction community.
Academia Meets Industry
Throughout the tour, our educator guests engaged in robust conversations with industry leaders from prominent organizations across the region, diving into the industry landscape and its evolving talent pipeline.
The educators visited a variety of prominent firms across the region, including architectural metal engineering & fabrication specialists, Zahner.
Our guests explored the KC region’s deep A/E/C expertise with leaders from firms including HNTB, CRB, AIA KC, BRR Architecture, Greenwood Consulting, Burns & McDonnell, Zahner and many more, discussing ways to better prepare students for careers in the built environment and ensuring employers have access to the talent they need to grow and thrive.
Global Expertise, Local Impact
The KC region’s design expertise extends far beyond its borders, but its influence is equally visible at home. Our guests explored a range of developments that reflect the region’s ongoing evolution, including the Campbell Dome House, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the revitalization of the West Bottoms district.
Our guest educators visited a range of KC architectural developments, including the Campbell Dome House.
During the tour, our guests explored some of Kansas City’s most innovative design experiences, from the Rock Island Bridge, the world’s first entertainment district on a bridge, to Atlas9, a massive immersive art experience set in a “living” cinematic experience.
Leaders from HOK and BNIM also provided an exclusive tour of The Rabbit hOle — a one-of-a-kind interactive museum that celebrates and brings to life a century of American children’s literature.
Creating a Dialogue with Industry Pros
As part of the tour, KC Global Design hosted a special Meet the Educators event at JE Dunn, bringing local industry professionals together with the visiting educators and leaders from DRAW Architecture, Black & Veatch and JE Dunn for an engaging panel conversation.
JE Dunn hosted the Meet the Educators event, featuring a panel of the tour’s visiting educators alongside leaders from DRAW Architecture, Black & Veatch and JE Dunn.
The discussion focused on strengthening the talent pipeline across A/E/C, exploring how academic programs and student expectations are evolving while identifying opportunities to build stronger connections between education and industry.
KC’s World Cup Moment
The Educators Tour was specially designed to coincide with an exceptionally vibrant time for KC, as the city hosts six FIFA World Cup™ matches.
Our guests had the opportunity to experience the excitement firsthand, visiting KC•House — the region’s premier VIP World Cup destination, convening community and industry leaders with international delegations — and attending the Argentina vs. Algeria match at Kansas City Stadium.
KC•House is the region’s premier VIP World Cup destination, convening community and industry leaders with international delegations.
The Future of A/E/C in KC
Most importantly, the tour showcased something that makes the KC region unique: a spirit of collaboration that transcends individual firms, disciplines and organizations. Time and again, our guests witnessed competitors working side-by-side to advance the industry, strengthen the region and create opportunities for future talent.
The conversations didn’t end when the session concluded. In fact, they will only continue.
Ideas generated throughout the week included:
- Opportunities for alternative spring break programs
- Expanded internship experiences
- Collaborative research initiatives
- Potential for future design “hackathons”
The enthusiasm from both educators and industry leaders underscored a shared commitment to developing the next generation of talent and creating meaningful pathways between the classroom and professional practice.
The feedback from both educators was overwhelmingly positive, and KC Global Design is grateful to the many investors, partners and industry leaders who generously shared their time, expertise and passion throughout the week.
If the conversations and connections made during this year’s Educators Tour are any indication, the future of Kansas City’s design and construction industry is exceptionally bright.
Learn more about KC Global Design programming.