Over 500 leaders from over 50 countries and territories attended the 56th Annual World Trade Centers Association Global Business Forum in Philadelphia, 19-22 April.
The WTCA is an international trade organisation connecting more than 300 World Trade Center® locations across nearly 100 countries and territories. World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) was host to the four-day event which marked the Forum’s return to the United States after nearly a decad. Participants included leaders from business, government, academia and international organisations, all attending with the purpose of advancing global trade, investment and collaboration.
Attendees participated in panels, workshops, site visits and networking sessions, with B2B meetings facilitated through the B2Match platform.
Programming featured keynote addresses from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who highlighted Philadelphia’s economic momentum, global connectivity and growing reputation as a city open for international business and investment; Ambassador Xie Feng of the People’s Republic of China, who reinforced the role of trade and dialogue in supporting long-term economic growth and global co-operation; and former US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen who discussed the current state of global trade and the importance of connection; along with a discussion on how culture drives long-term economic strength with NBA Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Pennsylvania State Representative Jordan Harris, and WTCGP president and CEO Thomas Young. During the conversation, Dr. J reflected on how the discipline, resilience and pursuit of excellence found in sports can translate into business leadership, innovation and community impact. Additional sessions covered trade dynamics, investment trends and cross-sector collaboration.
Recent shifts in the global trade landscape, marked by policy changes and uneven market conditions, framed much of the discussion at this year’s Forum. Across sessions, participants pointed to WTCA’s role as a consistent convening platform where commercial relationships are advanced even as conditions remain unpredictable.
“In today’s climate, meeting in person is essential for fostering authentic connections, and the annual WTCA Global Business Forum opens the conversation to shed light on the reality of the current trade environment — where uncertainty, shifting policies and economic pressures are reshaping how business gets done across borders,” said John E. Drew, chair of the WTCA Board of Directors.
“It meant a lot to host the WTCA network here in Philadelphia, especially as the US approaches its 250th anniversary,” said Thomas Young, president and CEO of WTCGP. “There’s a strong sense of history here, but also real momentum. Throughout the Forum, we saw people making connections that go beyond introductions – the kind that lead to business, partnerships and long-term growth.”
Additionally, the WTCA Real Estate Summit returned for its second year, examining global capital flows, investment strategy and development trends, with a macro view on the state of commercial real estate and Philadelphia’s positioning as a competitive investment market. The Forum also marked the launch of the UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026, an international open innovation initiative seeking scalable solutions across sectors including blue renewable energy, sustainable food systems, green maritime transport, coastal tourism, ecosystem restoration and blue tech. The initiative introduced a growing area of focus for WTCA and underscored the increasing connection between environmental sustainability, economic opportunity and global business collaboration. Companies, startups and research institutions are invited to apply by 19 June, 2026.
The 57th annual WTCA GBF will take place 4-7 April, 2027, hosted by World Trade Center Binh Duong New City (WTC BDNC) in Binh Duong New City, Vietnam.
