Idea Giveaway (Because Someone Should Build These Things)

I've been thinking a lot lately about missed opportunities. Not the kind that keep you up at night, but the kind that make you wonder why nobody has thought to connect the dots yet. Today I'm starting what I hope becomes a series of posts where I share ideas I'd love to see executed but won't have time to build myself. Consider these open source concepts for anyone bold enough to make them reality. Really, these are just things that I would love to see in real life.

The Idea: Turn Atlanta Airport's Video Wall Into the World's Most Shareable Airport Experience

I was at the Atlanta airport the other day when I overheard another passenger walking by the relatively new video wall in arrivals telling their traveling companion that the wall was so "cool!" What was funny about this was at the same moment I was telling my son how I would leverage that wall for marketing excellence in the idea I'll share in a moment.

For those who haven't seen it, there's now a stunning high definition video wall in the arrivals area that shows real-time footage of passengers ascending the escalators from the Plane Train (by the way, there are some missed marketing opportunities on the Plane Train too but I digress). This video wall was needed because a new bank of elevators was installed which blocks the previous wide open view that existed for decades. Families waiting to greet arriving loved ones can watch them appear on the screen as they come up from the secure area. It allows greeters to be prepared for an enthusiastic welcome before the travelers even know that they've been spotted.

But here's what I see when I look at that wall: the perfect canvas for augmented reality magic during the 2026 World Cup.

Picture this: Instead of just seeing the person you are waiting for on that video display as they come up the escalator, you watch as AR transforms their travel clothes into a soccer jersey. Maybe it's Atlanta United's five stripes, or the colors of whatever World Cup team is playing that day. For thirty seconds, every traveler becomes part of the global celebration happening right here in Atlanta.

The infrastructure is already there. The cameras are perfectly positioned. We're literally one software integration away from creating the most shareable airport experience in the world.

The Marketing Goldmine Everyone's Missing

Think about the viral potential here. Every single person who experiences this AR transformation is going to pull out their phone and record it. That's organic, authentic content creation at scale. We're talking about thousands of travelers daily becoming voluntary marketing ambassadors for Atlanta and the World Cup.

But it gets better. The people waiting to greet arrivals they're recording too. So now you have dual-perspective content: the person experiencing the AR magic on screen (currently this doesn't exist so there would need to be a video screen that travelers can see of themselves), and their family members capturing the moment from the greeting area. That's the kind of shareable content that money can't buy.

The video wall is already drawing comments about how cool it is, and that's when it's just showing regular video feed. Imagine the buzz when it starts transforming people into soccer players. Every major social media platform would be flooded with #ATLWorldCup content, all generated by travelers who are genuinely delighted by the experience.

This is marketing that doesn't feel like marketing. It's a genuine moment of joy that happens to promote your city and your event. The best kind of viral content is the kind people create because they can't help themselves—because they just experienced something they've never seen before.

The Technical Details (For Anyone Who Wants to Build This)

The beauty of this idea is its simplicity. Atlanta airport's existing video wall infrastructure provides the perfect foundation. The camera system uses a Panasonic EVA1 paired with a Canon CNE18-80 lens. The video feed is already crisp and dynamic and all that is needed is to add the software AR layer.

The core technical requirements are straightforward:

• Real-time video processing to identify and track individuals on the escalator
• AR rendering engine for clothing overlays
• Integration with the existing LED display system
• Content management for different jersey designs and themes

The system could be context-aware too. Different World Cup match days could trigger different team jerseys. International flights from specific countries could show those national team colors. The personalization possibilities are endless once the foundation is built.

But here's where it gets really interesting: imagine if travelers could register their preferences ahead of time. Scan a QR code at the gate, select your favorite team or player's jersey, and when you appear on the video wall, you're wearing exactly what you want to be wearing. Suddenly, seeing yourself on that screen becomes something you're actively excited about rather than just a passive experience with a random team jersey (and one that might be your hated rival).

Most importantly, the camera positioning is already perfect. The system was designed to help families spot their loved ones after elevator construction blocked the old view, which means the angle and coverage are ideal for full-body AR overlays.

Beyond Soccer Jerseys

Of course, World Cup soccer is just the beginning. Once you have AR-powered welcome displays, you can celebrate anything. Visitors during Dragon Con could see themselves in costumes (you just couldn't cover their faces or it defeats the original purpose of the video wall!). March Madness could trigger basketball uniforms. Holiday travelers might find themselves wearing festive sweaters.

The infrastructure becomes a platform for celebrating whatever makes Atlanta (and remember, when I say Atlanta I always mean metro Atlanta) exciting at any given moment. Importantly, the airport then becomes not just a transportation hub but an extension of every single event happening in Atlanta. And every single experience becomes shareable content that promotes our city to networks around the world.

The Smart Way to Monetize This

Here's where this gets really interesting from a business perspective: the monetization opportunities are enormous, but they need to be executed in a way that feels fun rather than invasive. Nobody wants to be forced into wearing a corporate logo they don't connect with.

Instead, think about creative integrations that people would actually enjoy. Given how big Georgia is in the movie industry, maybe Deadpool randomly appears as a "traveler" on the escalator during a Marvel movie release.

The key is making sponsorship feel like entertainment rather than advertising. When Red Bull sponsors extreme sports content, they feel entertained instead of advertised to.

Corporate partnerships could fund the entire system while creating genuinely delightful moments. Airlines could sponsor jersey experiences for passengers on their flights. Sports brands could create limited-time experiences during major games. Entertainment companies could promote new releases through character appearances that feel magical rather than commercial.

Done right, this becomes a revenue generator that pays for itself while creating the kind of experiences that make people love the airport and Atlanta.

Someone Should Build This

I'm not going to build this system myself. Between the various startups I'm involved with and other projects, my plate is full. But somebody should absolutely make this happen.

If you're a developer or startup founder reading this and thinking "I could make this work," please do. If you're connected to the airport authority or know someone who makes decisions about passenger experience improvements, share this with them. If you're just someone who thinks this sounds cool, help spread the word.

The best ideas shouldn't die because the person who thought of them was too busy to execute. Sometimes the greatest contribution you can make is putting an idea out into the world and trusting that the right person will pick it up and run with it.

Atlanta has always been a city that thinks bigger than its size might suggest. Let's make sure that visitors in 2026 understand that from the moment they step off the plane and get our warm southern hospitality right away.

Want Help With Your Own Innovation Challenges?

While I'm giving this idea away for free, I do work with organizations and entrepreneurs who need strategic thinking around technology, marketing, innovation, and growth challenges. Whether you're a startup looking to break through, an established company exploring new market opportunities, or an organization trying to figure out how emerging tech can solve real problems, I'd love to hear what you're working on.

If you think I might be able to help with a project or challenge you're facing, reach out. Sometimes the best solutions come from connecting ideas across different industries and experiences.

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Have an idea you think I should write about in this series? Send it my way. And if you end up building any of these concepts, I'd love to hear how it goes.