06/17/2026
Indiana University School of Public Health–Bloomington faculty member Dr. Brandon Howell, Clinical Associate Professor of Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management, was invited by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, through the IU Mexico Gateway Office, led by Molly Fisher, to participate in Aldea Global 2026, a free multicultural festival celebrating the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City.
During his visit, Howell met with staff at the IU Mexico Gateway, his second IU Gateway visit, following a visit to the IU Gateway in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2019. He also toured the historic 1968 Summer Olympic Stadium and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the largest university in Latin America.
As part of the official World Cup festivities, Howell delivered a presentation titled, “Healthy Fans, Healthy Venues: Hospitality Strategies for Enhancing Spectator Well-being at Sporting Events,” highlighting the growing intersection of hospitality, public health, and sport event management.
Drawing from his “Hospitality IS Health” agenda, Howell emphasized how hospitality environments can directly influence human well-being.
“As a leader in hospitality, it is not only my goal to create memorable experiences, it’s my mission to help design environments that influence how people feel, behave, and even recover physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Howell said. “Sports stadiums—from seating to food to airflow—have a direct impact on health outcomes.”
The presentation showcased how thoughtful venue design and hospitality practices can support healthier, safer, and more positive experiences for spectators attending major sporting events around the world.
