The WTCA Board of Directors will convene for its scheduled meeting in conjunction with the 2027 WTCA Global Business Forum.

WTCA Board of Directors only.

An evening gathering for the WTCA Board of Directors, offering an opportunity to connect and continue conversations in a relaxed setting ahead of the 2027 WTCA Global Business Forum.

WTCA Board of Directors only.

The WTCA Board of Directors will convene for its scheduled meeting in conjunction with the 2027 WTCA Global Business Forum.

WTCA Board of Directors only.

Get ready for the Forum! Stop by to pick up your official event badge and registration materials before programming begins.

Attendees are encouraged to pick up their badges early to help ensure a smooth start to the Forum. 

New to the WTCA GBF? Meet fellow first-time attendees, make your first connections and get an inside look at what to expect in the days ahead. You'll learn how to make the most of the GBF, explore key opportunities to connect and do business before taking a brief tour of the conference venue.

Begin your GBF experience over food and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Reconnect with familiar faces, make new connections and kick off the GBF together. Conveniently located at the Taste Restaurant in Becamex Hotel, the Welcome Reception makes it easy for attendees to join us upon arrival and start connecting from day one.

Check in, pick up your official event badge and registration materials, and get ready for the day’s Forum programming.

Join us as we officially open the 2027 WTCA Global Business Forum in Vietnam. The Opening Ceremony will welcome delegates from across the globe, set the stage for the days ahead and celebrate the connections, ideas and opportunities that bring the WTCA network together.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how business gets done — compressing work that once took teams days into seconds. From sourcing suppliers and screening markets to analyzing opportunities and drafting documentation, AI is changing not only how quickly companies operate, but where competitive advantage now lies.

The question for every business leader is: what still requires us?

This keynote explores both sides of that equation — where intelligent systems are already outperforming traditional ways of working, where they still fall short, and where human judgment, trust and relationships remain essential to turning information into opportunity. For companies moving goods, entering markets and making investment decisions — and for cities competing to attract them—the answer is not simply about humans versus technology. It is about understanding where each creates the greatest value, and how that combination will define the next era of global business.

A forward-looking conversation on the forces reshaping global trade and investment. Explore where capital and opportunity are moving, where risks are emerging, and how shifting economic, geopolitical and market dynamics are influencing businesses and cities around the world. Hear global perspectives on what’s ahead and what it means for the WTCA network.

Take a break, grab a seat and make a connection. The Networking Lunch brings delegates together in a relaxed setting to continue conversations, exchange ideas and build new relationships with business leaders and fellow attendees from across the globe.

Sector Salons put networking on the clock and give it a purpose. Through a series of focused, timed introductions, delegates will connect with others who share relevant business interests, exchange what they offer and what they’re looking for, and identify opportunities for continued conversation. Designed to move beyond chance encounters, each Salon creates a fast-paced environment for making meaningful connections that can continue throughout the Forum.

Sector Salon topics will be announced soon; stay tuned!

Sector Salons put networking on the clock and give it a purpose. Through a series of focused, timed introductions, delegates will connect with others who share relevant business interests, exchange what they offer and what they’re looking for, and identify opportunities for continued conversation. Designed to move beyond chance encounters, each Salon creates a fast-paced environment for making meaningful connections that can continue throughout the Forum.

Sector Salon topics will be announced soon; stay tuned!

Entering Vietnam and ASEAN’s fast-growing markets takes more than identifying an opportunity—it requires making the right decisions in the right order. From entity structure and licensing to local partnerships and distribution, this interactive masterclass takes participants through the real-world considerations, timelines and challenges of establishing a presence in Vietnam, with insights from across key ASEAN markets.

Working through a live market-entry case, participants will make critical decisions for a mid-sized company looking to expand into the region, then put their strategy to the test against the realities, common missteps and lessons learned from those who have navigated the market firsthand.

What makes a global company choose one location over another? From manufacturing facilities and distribution hubs to regional headquarters, major location decisions are shaped by a complex mix of factors—from land, labor and infrastructure to connectivity, incentives, energy and sustainability.

This interactive masterclass takes participants inside the site-selection process to explore the criteria companies consider, how priorities can shift by project and asset type, and where locations can gain—or lose—a competitive edge. Participants will put those insights into practice by evaluating their own city, development or asset against key location criteria and identifying opportunities to strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive global market.

Back for 2027, this informal, interactive session gives attendees the chance to learn about upcoming events, trade missions and programs across the World Trade Center network. Brief WTC business spotlights will lead into networking and small-group conversations focused on opportunities to participate and collaborate. Come ready to plan your 2027 and make connections that last beyond the GBF.

Connect with fellow delegates from across your region in a relaxed setting designed to strengthen relationships and spark new connections. Each attendee will join the reception for their home region, offering an opportunity to continue the day’s conversations, exchange ideas, and engage with Members and business leaders from across the WTCA network.

Reception locations and additional details will be announced soon.

Start your day with movement, mindfulness and a moment to recharge. This morning yoga session offers delegates a relaxed way to energize for the day ahead before diving into another full day of connections and programming.

An important annual gathering of the WTCA Membership, the General Assembly brings Members together to hear key updates on the Association’s direction, priorities and initiatives, engage with WTCA leadership, and participate in governance matters and decision-making that help shape the future of the organization.

It is also an opportunity to reflect on the strength of the global network, recognize progress and look ahead to the opportunities and priorities that will guide WTCA and its Members in the year ahead.

Open exclusively to WTCA Members.

Business Delegate Session
A dedicated session for Business Delegates to connect, exchange perspectives and explore opportunities within the global business community. Designed to complement the Forum experience, this session will bring participants together around timely business topics, shared interests and opportunities to build connections across markets.

Additional session details will be announced as the program is finalized.

Geopolitical risk isn’t theoretical—it’s measurable, and its impact on global trade is real. Grounded in the Geopolitical Annual Trade Risk Index (GATRI), developed by The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies with the WTC network, this interactive simulation puts participants at the center of a fast-moving trade disruption.

Working in international teams, delegates will navigate escalating scenario developments, assess evolving risks, and make real-time decisions as new information emerges. Each challenge draws on the forces shaping global trade, pushing teams to test their assumptions, adapt their strategies, and see how their decisions hold up against the data.

Take a break from the day’s programming and continue the conversation over lunch. Connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas and build new relationships with business leaders from across the WTCA network and global business community.

Join Women@WTCA for a dynamic networking lunch celebrating the perspectives, experiences and connections that help shape global business. Through meaningful conversation and shared insights, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with women leaders and allies from across the WTCA network and the broader business community, exchange ideas, and build relationships that extend beyond the Forum.

ASEAN’s growth story extends well beyond inbound investment. Companies across the region are increasingly looking outward—expanding into Europe, the Americas, the Gulf and other global markets. But turning international ambition into sustainable growth requires the right strategy, partners and pathway to market.

This practical masterclass explores the decisions that shape successful international expansion—from selecting the right first market and identifying trusted local partners to establishing a presence while managing cost and risk. Participants will examine the outbound journey and explore how international networks, market intelligence and strategic connections can help accelerate expansion and open doors to new opportunities around the world.

Trade agreements can open the door to significant tariff savings—but only if businesses know how to access them. With major agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) connecting markets across the region, understanding the rules can translate into a real competitive advantage.

This practical masterclass moves beyond trade policy to focus on how preferential trade actually works. Participants will explore how to determine whether a product qualifies, understand rules of origin and documentation requirements, and navigate the steps involved in claiming preferential tariff treatment. Through hands-on examples, participants will put the process into practice and identify where potential savings and opportunities may exist for their own products and markets.

Meet the innovators turning Blue Economy ideas into action. Winners of the UNIDO–WTCA Blue Economy Challenge take the main stage for a series of fast-paced presentations showcasing the projects that earned them recognition.

In five minutes each, they’ll share what they’re building, the impact they aim to create and what they need to take their ideas further. From sustainable ocean and coastal development to new approaches to growth and resilience, this spotlight offers a glimpse at how innovation and collaboration can translate into real-world solutions.

Celebrate the connections made at the GBF. Delegates who have formed a new business connection, partnership or opportunity during the Forum are invited to sign up for a dedicated photo moment that captures the power and possibilities of the WTCA global network.

Made a connection? Picture the possibilities, and capture the moment.

Stay tuned for details on how to sign up.

Connect with the next generation of leaders in a relaxed, informal setting. Join fellow young professionals for conversation, new connections and an opportunity to build relationships with the people you may know—and do business with—for the next twenty years.

Discover the historic Cu Chi Tunnels through a variety of experiences at the historical site, including watching a documentary film, exploring the underground tunnel system and reconstructed wartime facilities, tasting traditional cassava, and experiencing the shooting range as an optional activity. The tunnel sections open to visitors have been restored and adapted to provide a more accessible experience for tourists, while entering the tunnels remains entirely optional. After lunch at a restaurant within the historical site, enjoy a scenic drive through Thu Dau Mot Old Town on the way back, passing local landmarks including Thu Dau Mot Market, Phu Cuong Cathedral, Bach Dang riverside and the Six-way Intersection.

This tour is available to both delegates and participants in the Accompanying Guest Program.

Physical Activity Note: Visitors will have the opportunity to crawl through portions of the underground tunnel system. This optional experience involves crouching and navigating narrow, confined spaces.

The Innovation Tour will introduce delegates to key components of Vietnam’s growing innovation and technology ecosystem through visits to Saigon Hi-Tech Park and VNG Corporation. The tour offers an inside look at VNG’s smart office environment, innovative workplace model and technology ecosystem, with opportunities to explore the campus and engage with VNG representatives.

Round-trip transportation for the tour will be provided.

The Industrial Tour will give delegates an inside look at Becamex Group’s integrated industrial–urban–service ecosystem and its role in investment, manufacturing, innovation and sustainable urban development.

Beginning at WTC BDNC Tower and the Intelligent Operations Center (IOC), delegates will then visit Eastern International University, My Phuoc Industrial Park and Dan On Foods to see how Vietnam connects smart urban management, workforce development, industrial growth and foreign investment.

Celebrate an unforgettable week of connection, collaboration and global business at the 2027 WTCA Global Business Forum Closing Gala. Join fellow delegates for an evening of dining, entertainment and celebration as we reflect on the connections made in Vietnam and look ahead to what’s next for the WTCA global network.

The evening culminates in the traditional “Passing of the Globe,” as WTCA honors WTC Binh Duong New City and celebrates the next WTC location to bring the Global Business Forum to its destination.