AGENDA

A Global Agenda, Built for You: Find the Sessions That Work Best in Your Time Zone

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8:30 AM - 9:00 AMCoffee & Conversations

☕ Grab your favorite coffee or tea, and join a 30-minute session for an informal one-on-one conversation. Whether it's about your weekend, family stories, career journey, or developments at your WTC business, the focus is on building authentic relationships that last.

9:00 AM - 9:35 AMExecutive Updates & Welcoming WTCA Newest Members

Join us as we extend a warm welcome to the newest Members of the WTCA family! This session celebrates the organizations and leaders who have recently joined our global network. Hear their stories, learn about their WTC businesses, and discover the unique strengths they bring to our community.

9:35 AM - 10:05 AMNavigating Investment Opportunities in a Post-Relocation Economy

As global trade patterns shift and companies adopt relocation and nearshoring strategies, WTCA Members are uniquely positioned to connect investors, businesses, and communities. This session will explore how to identify and attract investment, support international business development, and advise local stakeholders in a changing landscape. Attendees will walk away with market insights, risk considerations, and practical tools to help position their WTC as a go-to resource for cross-border investment.

10:05 AM - 10:55 AMNetworking with a Purpose

Networking is more than exchanging business cards — it’s about building authentic relationships that open doors and create lasting value. This session will help you approach every interaction with confidence and clarity, showing you how to network intentionally, present your brand with impact, and turn conversations into meaningful opportunities. Whether you’re seeking leads, partnerships, or mentorship, learn how to harness the power of purposeful connections to amplify your voice, and accelerate your growth.

10:55 AM - 11:45 AMPower of the Network: Activating WTC Business Connections for Growth

Discover how three WTC businesses turned connections into tangible business results. In this panel, learn proven strategies for initiating partnerships, deepening relationships, and creating measurable impact across the WTCA network. Leave inspired and ready to leverage the “power of the network” for your own growth.

12:00 PM - 12:45 PMNext Gen Talks: Driving Change From Within

Meaningful transformation doesn’t always come from the top — it often starts with individuals who see opportunities for improvement and have the courage to act. This session explores how emerging leaders can champion new ideas, influence decision making, and create positive change within their organizations. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, participants will learn how to identify areas for impact, build support for their initiatives, and navigate challenges for implementation. Attendees will leave with the tools and confidence to step into change-making roles, no matter their title or level of experience.

9:30 PM - 10:00 PMCoffee & Conversations

☕ Grab your favorite coffee or tea, and join a 30-minute session for an informal one-on-one conversation. Whether it's about your weekend, family stories, career journey or developments at your WTC business, the focus is on building authentic relationships that last.

10:00 PM - 10:40 PMExecutive Updates & Welcoming WTCA's Newest Members

Join us as we extend a warm welcome to the newest Members of the WTCA family! This session celebrates the organizations and leaders who have recently joined our global network. Hear their stories, learn about their WTC businesses, and discover the unique strengths they bring to our community.

10:40 PM - 11:20 PMCross-Cultural Communication in a Global Network

Success in a global network requires more than just speaking the same business language — it demands cultural fluency. This session offers practical “Dos and Don’ts” for working across diverse cultural contexts, both within regions and across continents. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, participants will learn strategies to avoid misunderstandings, foster trust, and enhance collaboration with colleagues, clients, and partners worldwide.

11:20 PM - 11:59 PMWTCA Member Power Pitches

This is a special platform for Members to showcase their initiatives — ranging from trade programs and business clubs to trade shows and real estate projects — during the “WTCA Power Pitch” spotlight session at our virtual Member Forum.

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM(Workshop) From Multi-Purpose Buildings to Global Destinations: New Real Estate Uses for WTC Businesses

WTC locations are more than just real estate — they are gateways to business, culture, and community. Hosted by the Real Estate Member Advisory Council (RE MAC), this interactive virtual workshop will explore how WTC businesses can evolve into true destinations by reimagining their real estate offerings to meet the needs of today’s markets. Through global case studies and collaborative brainstorming, participants will:

  • Identify current and future target markets for their WTC business
  • Define what makes their WTC business unique and valuable
  • Generate new ideas to transform their facilities into vibrant destinations

Join us to exchange practical strategies and leave with one actionable idea you can apply in your own WTC business within the next three months.

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM(Workshop) Curating the Future: Designing Conferences & Exhibitions that Drive Trade and Transformation

Success in today’s event landscape requires more than just great logistics — it demands intentional curation. Hosted by the Conferences & Exhibitions Member Advisory Council (C&E MAC), this session explores why curation is a true differentiator, offering practical tools for selecting content, formats, speakers, and experiences that resonate. Through actionable guidance and real-world examples, participants will learn how to design events that reflect global trends while remaining deeply relevant to their local business community.

10:30 AM - 11:10 AMThe Future of Trade: Economic Trends Shaping the Next Decade

In a rapidly shifting geopolitical and economic landscape, global trade professionals must anticipate trends, navigate uncertainty, and identify emerging opportunities. In this keynote conversation, a senior leader from the world’s most influential financial institutions — will share insights on the state of global trade, the forces driving change in key markets, and the strategies that businesses can adopt to remain competitive. Drawing on expertise from global banking, trade finance, and market analysis, this session will provide WTCA Members with actionable perspectives to inform their strategy and decision-making.

11:10 AM - 11:40 AMPR & Communications - From Trends to Tools: Securing Media Attention to Elevate Your WTC Business in Partnership with WTCA

This session is about empowering you to connect with the media to tell your World Trade Center (WTC) business stories. Join the WTCA Communications team, and their PR Agency of Record, Violet PR, for an inside look at how Member businesses can collaborate with WTCA to boost visibility for the Association, share their success stories and strengthen your local impact. We’ll explore ways to highlight industry trends and predictions in trade, events, real estate, and business clubs to elevate your messaging to reach new audiences. We’ll also share insights on how to best keep the Association and your fellow Member businesses informed on your upcoming announcements and events, opening doors to even further exposure.

You, your WTC business team members, and “next generation leaders” will also get a brief guided tour of the newly released 2025 WTCA Media Kit — packed with tools and resources designed to help you promote your own WTC business with more ease.

Whether you’re looking to amplify your events, attract new members, or showcase your industry expertise, this session will equip you with practical tactics to work hand-in-hand with WTCA and raise your global profile.

11:40 AM - 12:55 PMWTCA Member Power Pitches & WTCA Regional Updates

This is a special platform for Members to showcase their initiatives — ranging from trade programs and business clubs to trade shows and real estate projects — during the “WTCA Power Pitch” spotlight session at our virtual Member Forum.

Additionally, you will hear directly from WTCA Regional Leads as they share what’s happening across their regions. This session will provide a snapshot of key activities, trends, and Member highlights, giving you a clear view of how WTC businesses worldwide are responding to challenges and creating new opportunities.

It’s a chance to stay informed, spot collaboration opportunities, and better understand regional priorities within the WTCA network.

10:00 PM - 10:30 PMWTCA Regional Updates

Hear directly from WTCA Regional Leads as they share what’s happening across their regions. This session will provide a snapshot of key activities, trends, and member highlights, giving you a clear view of how WTC businesses worldwide are responding to challenges and creating new opportunities.

It’s a chance to stay informed, spot collaboration opportunities, and better understand regional priorities within the WTCA network.

10:30 PM - 11:10 PMDigital Literacy for Trade Pros: Smart Tools, Big Impact

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how business is done — and trade professionals can’t afford to be left behind. This session demystifies AI and emerging tech tools, showing how they can be applied in trade services, real estate, and investment attraction. Participants will explore practical use cases, learn to assess the right tools for their needs, and discover how AI can enhance decision making, improve efficiency, and future-proof their skills in an increasingly digital global economy.

11:10 PM - 11:40 PMUp Next - WTCA Updates

Be the first to hear the latest updates from WTCA! This session will spotlight exciting developments across the WTCA network, including the launch of the revamped "WTCA Visionary Awards" program (formerly called "WTCA Champions Awards"), upcoming plans for the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF), and other key initiatives shaping our network. Gain insight into what’s ahead, discover new opportunities to engage, and learn how these programs will strengthen collaboration and visibility for WTC business worldwide.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AMMentor-Mentee Match Up

Mentors will share their knowledge and experiences, helping pave the way for the next generation of leaders, while mentees gain valuable insights to support their professional journey. This session serves as the starting point for an informal mentorship connection — giving you the flexibility to define the relationship and continue the dialogue long after the Forum concludes.

Sign up to be a mentor or mentee: here!

 

11:00 AM - 11:45 AMGlobal Café: Navigating the Global Trade Landscape

Bring your voice to the table! Join fellow WTC professionals to explore how the WTCA helps businesses connect, adapt, and thrive in the evolving world of global trade.

Additionally, the WTCA Project Team will share their key takeaways and reflections from the Member Forum.

11:45 AM - 12:05 PMAccreditation Insights

WTCA Accreditation is the mark of excellence within our global network. Learn about key updates, practical guidance, and insights on how Accreditation strengthens credibility, drives business opportunities, and enhances the value of your WTC business.

 

12:05 PM - 12:25 PMIntroducing the Visionary Awards

WTCA is proud to unveil the WTCA Visionary Awards. This new initiative celebrates the groundbreaking projects of WTC businesses and their affiliated companies — showcasing innovation, impact, and leadership on a global stage.

Join this session to learn how your WTC business and its affiliated companies can participate, gain recognition for projects, and elevate their business within the global WTCA community. Don’t miss the chance to put your business’ achievements in the spotlight and compete for one of the most prestigious honors in our network.

 

12:20 PM - 1:25 PMCountdown to the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF)

Join us for a sneak peek into how the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) will bring together WTCA Members, global partners, and business leaders to cultivate new frontiers in trade, investment, and collaboration. From program highlights to networking opportunities and local insights, WTC Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what's in store, and how Members can play an active role in shaping and maximizing their GBF experience.

There will be an open Q&A on the upcoming WTCA GBF, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of how Philadelphia is preparing to welcome the global WTCA community in 2026.

Time Zone: (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) [Change Time Zone]

The agenda is subject to change.

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