Join us for Networking Bingo! Engage in fun, strategic interactions as you fill your bingo card by meeting fellow Members. Discover unique strengths and forge new connections in our global network. This energetic event is designed to maximize your networking opportunities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 

Welcome Remarks offered by John E. Drew, Chair, World Trade Centers Association Board of Directors & Crystal Edn, Executive Director-Member Services, World Trade Centers Association.

In today's rapidly evolving global landscape, businesses must adapt to change, bridge generational divides, and foster a culture of resilience and innovation to stay competitive. Join renowned keynote speaker and author Brian Carter as he shares insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of a multigenerational workforce, investing in young talent, and leveraging the strengths of each generation to drive success.

Drawing upon his extensive international experience and expertise in leadership, generational dynamics, and personal growth, Brian will provide a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the key challenges and opportunities facing today's business leaders. Through a blend of storytelling, humor, and practical examples, he will offer actionable takeaways and frameworks that attendees can apply to their own organizations.

Key themes and takeaways will include:

• Understanding and bridging generational differences in the workplace
• Investing in young talent through mentoring, training, and career development opportunities
• Cultivating a mindset of adaptability and resilience in the face of change
• Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning
• Developing effective leadership strategies for an increasingly diverse and distributed workforce

Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this keynote will provide you with the insights, inspiration, and practical tools needed to pioneer the future and lead your organization to success in an ever-changing world.

Join us in welcoming the Association's newest Members and discover what makes them unique additions to our global network.

AI is transforming industries worldwide, and global trade is no exception. From strategic planning and data analysis to operational efficiency, AI is becoming essential for companies aiming to compete and succeed in international markets. However, with rapidly advancing technology, legal and ethical concerns, and open-source access, the future remains uncertain. 

In this fireside chat, we will explore challenges, opportunities, ethical considerations, and practical applications of AI in the global business landscape. This engaging discussion will provide essential insights to bring back to your WTC businesses. 

This session is designed to shift the conversation from futuristic fears to practical, day-to-day applications that enhance productivity and opportunity for WTCA Members. Craig Turner, Membership Lead for North America at the WTCA, will guide you through the essential AI tools like ChatGPT that are transforming how we work today.

What to Expect:

• Practical Examples: See AI in action within World Trade Center operations.
• Tailored Insights: Learn how to implement AI across various activities specific to your location.
• Interactive Q&A: Engage in an open discussion to address your specific questions and ideas.

This isn't just an opportunity; it's an imperative. Not only will this session help you to harness AI to revolutionize operations and stakeholder engagement, but it will also empower you to bring that knowledge to your community. Embracing AI today is not just an upgrade—it's a necessity for staying relevant and proactive in our industry. Your WTC business can lead this change!

In today's challenging economic landscape, organizations are grappling with revenue shortages while simultaneously facing increasing demands from their members for more information, services, and support. Companies are becoming increasingly selective about which organizations they choose to sponsor. This session will explore strategies for WTCA Members to enhance their sponsorship programs. Learn how to bolster revenue streams and foster connections that enable global engagement and local prosperity.

• Learn what your sponsors want (and what they don’t want)
• Discover how to expand benefits to attract sponsors (and increase sponsor fees)
• Find out how to tap other budgets in corporations for sponsorships (and secure new sponsorships)
• Determine sponsor value propositions for your annual events, such as World Trade Day, other events, and year-round sponsorships (and create unique value for sponsors)

Join us for a dynamic discussion and practical takeaways around the topic of increasing agility in our local communities. Participants will get to network with other World Trade Center Members from around the world. You will also discover key strategies for building resilient communities and discuss successful projects from around the WTCA network.  Participants will collaborate in a brainstorming exercise to apply these insights in your local World Trade Center communities.

Facilitated by Phillips & Co, a team of strategists, designers, facilitators and researchers who are passionate about inventing what’s next. Their work includes comprehensive innovation programs as well as individual services, from ideation sessions, strategic planning workshops and qualitative research to prototyping, concept refinement research and innovation training.

This session is about you. It's about your questions, your ideas and your business. Don't miss this unique opportunity to interact with the media, ask questions, and even propose story angles to the panelists, potentially resulting in real, timely press coverage in the wake of the Member Forum event. 

The Violet PR team will also share insights on the resources available to you through your WTCA membership and then lead a panel conversation featuring reporters working in the press actively today, focused on what types of media attention-grabbing tactics can be utilized to bring visibility to your business sector, growing the business opportunities available to your member network and even growing your membership itself.

In this session, we delve into the crucial topic of women in leadership and the often unseen barrier of self-doubt that can hinder their journey to success. While strides have been made in breaking gender barriers, many women still grapple with imposter syndrome, fear of failure, and societal expectations. But fear not, for within each of us lies the power to overcome these doubts and thrive as leaders.

Through interactive discussion and shared experiences, we will cultivate strategies to silence the inner critic and embrace our strengths. From positive affirmations to reframing setbacks as learning opportunities to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Data is more than spreadsheets—it's a powerful tool for learning, collaboration, and growth. By redefining and  rethinking how we share and use data, you'll gain insights into how small changes  in the way we share data can impact the way you do business. Join us at Unlocking Opportunities through Strategic Data Networking to meet new WTC connections and explore together how leveraging data across the global WTCA network can enhance collaboration and drive new business opportunities.

Facilitated by Phillips & Co, a team of strategists, designers, facilitators and researchers who are passionate about inventing what’s next. Their work includes comprehensive innovation programs as well as individual services, from ideation sessions, strategic planning workshops and qualitative research to prototyping, concept refinement research and innovation training.

Get ready to acquire an entirely new skill set that enhances your ability to construct and deliver professional presentations on any topic with ease and confidence. Participants will learn to develop a simple, yet highly effective framework that allows them to deliver a clear and concise message in the following areas:

• Decide what information to include in the presentation, and how to organize that information in the most effective manner
• Capture and retain full attention of any audience
• Drive home the presentation’s take-away message
• Transition clearly from one point to another
• Learn the importance of “the close” and how to leave the audience wanting more
• Discover how to “tell your story” in a powerful, memorable way
• ‘Sure-fire’ Q&A tips and tools

Join us for the Croissants & Conversations Networking Session! In this dynamic 30-minute session, we'll explore learning basic French terminology and practice these language skills as we gear up for the 2025 WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) in Marseille, France. Whether you're a beginner or aiming to brush up on your language proficiency, this session offers a fun and interactive way to connect with others while learning.

An inspiring, one-hour program will explore the transformative power of the pause, highlighting mindfulness tools and techniques that enhance leadership skills and overall well-being though guided meditation sessions designed to:

• Enhance present moment awareness facilitating smoother transitions between tasks and interactions. 
• Notice mental chatter, settle the mind, and release judgment to activate listening skills. 
• Cultivate conscious responses for more positive outcomes. 
• Balance service to others and self-care to foster a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.
   

In his presentation, Martin Ibarra will talk about the great development free zones and economic zones of the world have had in recent years as a consequence of reglobalization; the regionalization of value chains, the trade war between the United States and China, the explosion of cross-border electronic commerce, the phenomenon of Nearshoring and how the promotion of the WTC brand within the most important free zones and special economic zones in the world becomes a fantastic opportunity to connect new actors in international trade in manufacturing, logistics and services and bring more trade to WTC businesses.

You’ve watched them on YouTube, and many of you have been featured on our Centerpiece channel of the WTCA-TV. Now, experience the excitement LIVE at our WTCA Member Forum!

Join us for a light-hearted yet insightful look into the dynamic world of our Association and discover why it's the place to be and meet our special guests! 

Hosted by the charismatic Scott Center and his equally engaging co-host, Ed Allison-Wright, this edition of 'Centerpiece' promises to be entertaining and enlightening. LIVE from New York City… This is CENTERPIECE! 

Join us as we congratulate this year's newly accredited Members, then take part in a mini-evaluation to find out if your World Trade Center location is eligible to apply.

WTC Business Clubs can provide you with an opportunity to expand your client base and generate a new form of revenue. This dual-style narrative and interactive workshop will walk attendees through solutions to common challenges in operating a business club and then allow attendees to work together in applying each solution model to their own WTC businesses. This session will be led by WTC Curitiba following their successful presentation at the previous Latin America Regional Meeting.

They're back! We're excited to announce the return of "The Globies," featuring fun categories of awards inspired by “The Dundies” from “The Office.”

All WTCA Members are welcome to attend the 2024 North America Regional Meeting, taking place in conjunction with the Member Forum. Grab your lunch and head to the hub! The regional meeting will begin promptly at 12:45, so don't miss this great opportunity to network and connect before it starts Download the North America Regional Meeting agenda: here.

Members are invited to meet with Aubrey Ball, WTCA Member Programs Coordinator, who can answer questions and help you to begin the WTCA Accreditation process as soon as you're ready.