Members of the North Carolina 2029 Organising Committee (NCOC) appeared at the trade show, which attracted 80 exhibitors, mainly small to medium-sized businesses and organisations.

The expo marked the first trade show for the North Carolina 2029 team, who described it as a great opportunity to spread the word about the event.

"Though a number of attendees at the expo had heard the good news about North Carolina landing the 2029 World University Games in January, there were a number who had not, and who were not familiar with the Games," organisers said.

"This presented a great opportunity for the NCOC team to help educate and excite the expo crowd about the big event.

"Across the board, once NCOC reps got a chance to explain the Games, how they came to be in North Carolina, and what fans can expect at Games-time, there was unanimous excitement over, and support for, the 2029 FISU Games."

During the expo members of the NCOC team were able to visit several of its bid sponsors including the Hummingbird Creative Group, the Triangle eSports Academy, North Carolina Futbol Club & NC Courage, the Cary Chamber of Commerce and First Bank.

A raffle with some of the first North Carolina 2029 merchandise items as prizes also took place.

The first prize was an official World University Games embroidered polo, with the second a World University Games embroidered T-shirt, and third an official cap.

North Carolina was awarded the 2029 World University Games during the Lake Placid 2023 World University Games.

It initially wanted to host the 2027 edition but missed out to Chungcheong Megacity in South Korea.  

Buffalo was the last US state to host the Summer World University Games, back in 1993.