World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), which connects 300+ World Trade Center® (WTC®) locations across nearly 100 countries and territories, has announced that it will bring its annual Global Business Forum (GBF) back to the United States in Apirl. The flagship global business event returns to the US for first time in nearly a decade for its 56th annual WTCA GBF, 19-22 April, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Organisers of the event say the “City of Brotherly Love” was chosen for its direct access to major US and international markets, and the opportunity to highlight key sectors ripe with innovation today, including food and agriculture, higher education, life sciences, manufacturing and technology.
In 2025, the event was held in Marseille, France, and in 2024, in Bengaluru, India, where hundreds of leaders connected to establish business partnerships across industries.
The WTCA GBF (formerly called ‘General Assembly’ last took place in the US in 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The annual Forum rotates among host cities across the five regions where the Association is active – Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, and North America.
“I am delighted that the United States was selected to host this year’s Forum and play its role as a vital hub for global commerce and innovation. The annual GBF brings leaders together to exchange ideas, find common ground, and strengthen the partnerships that drive global trade. This is the essence of WTCA’s mission: ‘Connecting businesses, globally’ and creating opportunity through collaboration. Convening in Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, will energise our mission and advance timely initiatives that directly benefit our membership,” said John E. Drew, WTCA Board of Directors.
This year’s Forum will offer a range of programming and feature speakers from business, government, political leaders and high-profile figures, providing opportunities for insight, discussion and networking on global and domestic trade issues. A preliminary agenda for the 2026 WTCA GBF is available here, with individual speakers to be announced.
For more information visit: https://wtca.swoogo.com/2026wtcaglobalbusinessforum.
Photo credit: World Trade Centers Association/Sébastien Delarque
