Gatewayt h M diterranean
WELCOME
Dear WTCA Members, International and Local Business Delegates, and Esteemed Guests:
Bienvenue à Marseille! On behalf of our WTCA Board of Directors and staff, it is a pleasure and honor to welcome you to Marseille, France for the 55th Annual Global Business Forum of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), hosted by World Trade Center Marseille Provence!
Our annual Global Business Forum (GBF) is the premier event for our Association, giving each of you the opportunity to share your insights, expertise and enthusiasm with our global community of Members. It also showcases our network’s international trade presence and diverse global footprint by bringing together leaders in business, government, academia, and international organizations from all over the world Over 400 attendees are expected to attend this edition of the Forum from more than 50 countries and territories.
Marseille was chosen for this year’s event given its role as a critical European hub for trade, innovation, and economic activity. The Mediterranean region connects three continents and plays a vital role in global commerce, boasting strong industries in maritime trade, logistics, energy, tourism, and technology Hosting this year’s GBF in Marseille provides WTCA Members and attending delegates with unparalleled access to this dynamic market, offering opportunities to explore investment prospects and engage with leaders shaping regional and global trade
Under the theme of “Gateway to the Mediterranean,” this year’s event will provide you and your business networks the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and develop partnerships with local businesses from our host city Marseille, as well as around the world. The four-day event will offer a range of programming, including panel discussions and matchmaking opportunities provided in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Internationale) Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur as well as the Association’s first-ever Real Estate Summit that will focus on innovation and trends shaping real estate for the future. Similar to our past GBFs, this year’s event will also offer WTCA Members the important opportunity to interact with WTCA’s Directors and Officers at the WTCA Plenary to learn updates for the future of the Association
As you will experience over the next few days, WTCA remains committed to promoting free and fair trade, open markets, and healthy competition principles that drive investment, prosperity and economic growth. Now more than ever, as businesses navigate shifting global trade policies and economic uncertainty, the annual WTCA GBF provides a vital platform for Members and their networks to connect, explore new markets, and gain critical insights
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to our host – WTC Marseille Provence – and its organizing team led by Mr. Benoit Vincent, CEO of WTC Marseille Provence, who have devoted their time and energies over the past year preparing for this exciting event, along with our superb WTCA HQs team.
Lastly, we would also like to thank each of you in advance for attending this year’s GBF and bringing your vision, knowledge, energy and experience to our annual gathering It is your dedication and participation that strengthens our network and reinforces our commitment of fostering partnerships and “Connecting Businesses, Globally ”
Sincerely,
John E Drew Chairman of the Board
WELCOME
Dear friends,
It is with great honor and pleasure that the World Trade Center Marseille Provence welcomes the 55th Global Business Forum First of all, we’d like to thank you for traveling such long distances to join us and share our history and culture Your presence testifies to the importance of this gathering and the spirit of cooperation that drives us During your stay, you’ll discover the many facets of the Phocaean city, both culturally and gastronomically.
We hope you’ll appreciate the city’s natural openness to the world, and particularly to the Mediterranean. Its history and strategic geographical position between Europe and Africa have inspired the central theme of GBF 2025: “Gateway to the Mediterranean”.
Thanks to our partners, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the many investment and development opportunities offered by our territory, as well as by the Alliance Francophone through francophone spaces around the world. During this event, we have designed moments that are both inspiring and conducive to authentic connections. I’m convinced that these meetings will be a valuable opportunity to develop your business and strengthen your collaborations The watchwords of these exchanges will be sharing, learning and connecting.
During these inspiring days, we will highlight the excellence of the companies in the WTCA network around crosscutting themes such as real estate, innovation and international business opportunities. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to our partners for their invaluable support, as well as to the WTCA teams and, above all, to the WTC Marseille Provence team, who have orchestrated this exceptional event.
Sincerely,
Benoit Vincent Chief Executive Officer World Trade Center Marseille Provence
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
ALL ATTENDEES
13:00 - 16:00
18:00 - 19:00
Badge Pick Up - Stop by WTC Marseille Provence to retrieve your badges and say “hello” to the WTCA team Shuttles to the Welcome Reception - Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the 15-20 minute walk around the Old Port to Fort Ganteaume. If not, shuttles will be available from WTC Marseille Provence every 15 minutes.
18:30 - 21:00 Welcome Reception Sponsored by Turkish Airlines at Fort Ganteaume
21:00 - 23:00 Shuttles to WTC Marseille Provence
MONDAY, APRIL 7
OCÉANIE (MAINSTAGE) | WTCA MEMBERS, INTERNATIONAL B2B & MARSEILLE B2B DELEGATES TAP THE SESSION LINK TO LEARN MORE
08:50 - 09:30
09:30 - 09:50 Opening Ceremony Gateway to the Mediterranean
09:50 - 10:35 Shifting Global Trade Dynamics: Strategies for Success in an Evolving Marketplace
10:35 - 10:50 NETWORKING BREAK
10:50 - 11:30
11:30 - 12:00 Innovative and Impactful: Disrupting Industries and Driving Change
12:00 - 12:40 Innovation in Action: Free Trade Zones as Engines of Growth
12:40 - 13:30 Crossroads of Connection: Inspiring Journeys from Local to Global Real Estate Investment in Global Trade Hubs
13:30 - 14:30 NETWORKING LUNCH
OCÉANIE (MAINSTAGE)
WTCA MEMBERS ONLY INTERNATIONAL B2B & MARSEILLE B2B DELEGATES
14:30 - 15:00
14:40 - 15:30
15:00 - 15:30
15:45 - 16:15
16:00 - 16:30
16:30 - 17:00
17:00 - 17:25
WTCA General Assembly Chairman's Remarks
Recruitment and Family Relocation in Provence
WTCA General Assembly: Executive Team 2025 Outlooks
WTCA General Assembly: Board Committee Roundtable International Prospection
Lille’s Economic Attractiveness: Key Growth Sectors & the Tour de France 2025
17:25 - 17:30
WTCA General Assembly: UNIDO Blue Industry Call To Action
WTCA General Assembly: Achieving Excellence - WTCA Accreditation Showcase
WTCA General Assembly: Group Photo
Listening to Act: Turning Diverse Voices into Strategic Advantage
Languages and International Performance: Boosting Your Teams’ Intercultural Agility
Digital Growth Hacks: Affordable Ways to Gain Clients in the French Market
Key to International Growth: The Power of Preparation and Organization
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, APRIL 8
OCÉANIE (MAINSTAGE) | WTCA MEMBERS, INTERNATIONAL B2B & MARSEILLE B2B DELEGATES TAP THE SESSION LINK TO LEARN MORE
09:00 - 09:15
09:15 - 10:30 Day 2 Welcome & Program Highlights Global Outlook: Navigating Trade and Investment Trends in 2025
10:30 - 11:00 NETWORKING BREAK
NETWORKING BREAK 10:30 - 17:30
B2B MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE IN STOCKHOLM AND ROME Be sure to check in at the B2B registration desk to receive your schedule
OCÉANIE (MAINSTAGE)
REAL ESTATE SUMMIT
11:00 - 11:15 Real Estate Summit: Opening Remarks
11:15 - 12:00 Real Estate Summit: Global Capital Flows: FDI Trends Reshaping Real Estate & Infrastructure w/Q&A
12:00 - 13:00 Real Estate Summit: Global Spotlight, World Trade Center Projects in Focus
13:00 - 14:00 Networking Lunch
14:00- 14:40 Expanding the Real Estate Horizon: Innovation and Resilience in a Changing World
14:40 - 16:10 Real Estate Summit: Global Spotlight, World Trade Center Projects in Focus
16:10 - 17:00 Real Estate Summit: Networking Reception
17:00 - 17:30
17:30 - 18:15 ALL ATTENDEES
Connections Showcase (Open to all Attendees) Sign up at the Information Desk to secure your photographed time on stage
WTCA Accreditation Oversight Committee Meeting (Invite Only)
WTCA Focus Group (Invite Only)
WTCA Volunteer Leadership Meeting (Invite Only)
WORKSHOP TRACKS 10:30 - 17:00
DELHI = Business Essentials
CANCUN = Territory Promotion
CITYLAB = Francophone Village Full schedule on next page.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
OCÉANIE (MAINSTAGE) | WTCA MEMBERS, INTERNATIONAL B2B & MARSEILLE B2B DELEGATES
DELHI BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TERRITORY PROMOTION
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 - 11:30
11:30 - 12:00
12:00 - 12:30
12:15 - 13:00
Investing in Pennsylvania: Seizing Opportunities at the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum
Seize a Business Takeover Opportunity with the ‘Go Between’ Program!
Mentorship: A Key to Growth and Success
International Sea Freight and Geopolitics
Welcome to Eastern France, Cross-Border Region!
Intellectual Property: Patents and Trademarks Protection in Foreign Markets
12:30 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00 NETWORKING LUNCH
14:00 - 14:45 Doing Business in Marseille: B’Wellcome
14:30 - 15:00
15:00 - 15:30
15:15 - 16:00 WTCA Power Pitch
16:00 - 16:30
16:15 - 17:00
16:30 - 17:00
- 17:30 ALL ATTENDEES
Finding Real Estate Solutions for Foreign Businesses in Provence
Nantes a Leading Economic Hub in Western France: The "International Week" Event as a Tool for Business Growth and Visibility
Financing and Public Aid for Businesses in Provence
Invest in Shenzhen, Share a Prosperous Future: Exchange and Promotion
Attractiveness of Brest: The Locomotive of Western Britanny
The Advantages of Doing Business in the Canadian Market
Cybersecurity in the Context of an International Forum Held in Lille
Outsourcing Labor: Study Case Madagascar
High-End Gastronomy & Diplomacy: A Strategic Collaboration Between Ferrandi Paris – Rennes Campus & World Trade Center Rennes Bretagne
MAIN STAGE SPEAKERS
Matthieu Capuono Crow Ficorec
Philippe Veran Biotech Dental Group & Upperside Group
Remy Swaab WTC Panama
Carla Coyle C2 Custom Furnishings Inc
Dominique Clarac Deep2drive
Pamela D. Pascual WTC Metro Manila
Ignacio Del WTC Montevideo Free Zone
Martín Ibarra Araújo Ibarra & Asociados S.A.
Panayotis Liolios Africalink
Vincent Abeille ClassM
Amal Louis Grand Port Maritime de Marseille
Carles Anglada WTC Barcelona
Scott Center WTC Savannah
Yang Haobo WTC/CCPIT Shenzhen
Lia Rochat Archismart Energy
Diego Cortese Dubai World Trade Centre
Vineet Verma WTC Bengaluru
Pierre Edouard Boudot CBRE France
Pierre Veyres International Chamber of Commerce
Benoit Vincent WTC Marseille Provence
John E. Drew WTCA
MAIN STAGE SPEAKERS
Edward Grunwald Revolugo
PierreMongrué
WTCParisIlede-France
Dino Fortunato UNIDO ITPO Italy
Ed Allison-Wright
WTC Gibraltar
Iana Dreyer Borderlex
Miguel MoraesPalmeiro CBRE LATAM
Jacopo Dettoni fDi Intelligence, Financial Times
Mehran Eftekhar
WTC Cyprus
OlivierRousseau FlyCup
Angela Ellard World Trade Organization
Lionel Johnson Pacific Pension & Investment Institute
Yaël Savignac-Rauzada
WTC Marseille Provence
Ken Levinson Washington International Trade Association
Jean-Yves Baeteman APEX Club
Antony Georgakis
WTC Cyprus
Penny Naas German Marshall Fund of the United States
Cristina Sbaizero WTC Trieste
Pedro Paulo Fereira WTC Uberlândia
Ahmed Karim WTC Abuja
Luciano Menezes WTC Lisboa
POST GBF EXCURSIONS
We’re pleased to share the post-GBF excursion options, taking place from Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13 These tours are a wonderful opportunity to extend your stay and explore some of the most stunning regions in France
There are 3 excursions available:
• • • Saint-Tropez
Camargue
French Riviera
Prices are not listed as each tour will be customized based on individual preferences and group interests
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact gelisa cordier@matheztravel com The team at Mathez Travel will be happy to provide a personalized quote and help plan your experience We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to make the most of your time in France
SAINT-TROPEZ
Glitz, glamour, yachts, and designer shops are certainly the first thing you may notice during a weekend in Saint Tropez But if you peel back that layer, you’ll see something more
Under the sun-soaked skies of the French Riviera, you’ll quickly find the stone buildings and cobblestone streets of the charming old port You’ll admire the rows and rows of vines outside the town as you’re in the heart of Rosé country There are even small remnants of this former quaint fishing village
CAMARGUE
Experience the fantastic feeling of space that a protected area offers Unspoilt land, dry or wet plains, pine groves, ponds, prairies, sansouires, paddy fields, vines ... every walk is a new discovery
The vast plain of the Camargue was formed by alluvia left by the various branches of the Rhône, which, over the centuries, have changed bed several times. The damming of the large and small Rhône has made the Camargue into a perfect island bordered to the north by Arles and to the south by the Mediterranean, to the east by the large Rhône and its estuary, and to the west by the small Rhône that runs into the sea at Saintes Maries.
FRENCH RIVIERA
Located between Nice and Monaco, the Coeur riviera is a group of 5 characterful villages, including La Turbie, Èze, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer Each has its own distinctive character, with Italian and Provencal influences The Coeur Riviera is also that part of the Côte d’Azur where the term Alpes Maritimes = is understood more than anywhere else Here, the mountains stand side by side with the blue sea in a unique way, constantly giving the impression of taking a plunge into the Mediterranean, often resulting in breathtaking views...
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Elevate your Free Zone to a World-Class Business Destination
Unlock Global Potential with WTCA & Araújo Ibarra
Position your Free Zone as a premier destination for investment, trade, and business expan- sion through the strategic alliance between the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) and Araujo Ibarra International Business Consultants. Free Zones Go Global leverages the prestige of the WTC brand, an unrivaled global network, and over 50 years of expertise in free zones and international trade consulting to help you attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen your competitive advantage.
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The Francophone Initiative brings together 28 WTC locations across 15 countries
The workshops are led by nine WTC locations of the Francophone Initiative