WTCA Meridian™ January 2020

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Vol. 3, No. 1 January 2020

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTERS ASSOCIATION

BACK TO THE FUTURE:

World Trade Center Taipei Prepares For Its Second Time Hosting A WTCA General Assembly

Discounted Hotel Rates:

via Grand Hyatt Taipei (Host Hotel)

By Friday, January 24

B2B Matchmaking Session:

By Friday, January 17

Discounted Airline Rates:

via China Airlines (Official Airline Partner) New 2020 Booking Code: Enter Corporate Code TW002417

REGISTER NOW!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTERS ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP

John E. Drew

Chair, Board of Directors WTCA

EDITORIAL TEAM Alexander Brown

Director of Communications and Member Relations WTCA

Chanelle Kasik Communications Manager WTCA

ART DIRECTOR

Karen Spencer Spencer Creative Group

FOLLOW US

World Trade Centers Association

World Trade Centers Association

@WTCA

Published by World Trade Centers Association The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 325 highly-connected, mutuallysupporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center,” the tri-globe map design logo and “WTC” trademarks, the WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for Members to use in conjunction with their independently-owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its Members, the goal of the WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe through Member engagement. To learn more visit www.wtca.org.

115 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10006 USA

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WELCOME: Kicking Off 2020 John E. Drew Chair, Board of Directors, WTCA

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BACK TO THE FUTURE: World Trade Center Taipei Prepares For Its Second Time Hosting A WTCA General Assembly A Conversation with WTC Taipei’s Walter Yeh

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MEMBER PERSPECTIVE: World Trade Center New Orleans: Celebrating 75 Years of International Trade Thomas P. Spiers, Chairman of the Board, WTC New Orleans Hon. Edward T. Hayes, Board Member, WTC New Orleans J. Edwin (Ed) Webb, CEO, WTC New Orleans

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MEMO: Act Now: Deadlines to Participate in WTCA 50th Anniversary Member Activations Fast Approaching!

ANNIVERSARIES:

WTCA congratulates all Members celebrating their anniversaries in January

SPOTLIGHT: Europe Through the Eyes of an American Hon. Stavros Lambrinidis Ambassador of the European Union to the United States of America

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AROUND THE NETWORK:

WTCA Members share their news from around the globe

SME SHOWCASE:

Philadelphia International Medicine (WTC Philadelphia)

TRENDS: Top Trends for Business Travel in 2020

WELCOME TM

Kicking Off 2020 Dear Members, We hope you enjoyed a relaxing holiday season with your family and friends. To officially kick off the new year (and decade), we are pleased to share the January 2020 Issue of WTCA Meridian. This issue dives into all the activities and programs that are quickly approaching over the next few months, with a focus on our 51st annual General Assembly (GA) in Taipei and the culmination of our 50th Anniversary, which will set the tone for the upcoming year for our organization and beyond.

John E. Drew Chair, Board of Directors World Trade Centers Association

To turn up our excitement for what’s to come, this month’s issue starts with a Feature interview with Mr. Walter Yeh, President and CEO of World Trade Center (WTC) Taipei, to discuss why Taipei decided to bid on hosting the GA for a second time, and to provide a sneak peek at what to expect at this year’s event. Focusing on “Connecting Business to the Digital World,” the event is not one to be missed, with notable keynote speakers, numerous business opportunities across sectors, and exciting cultural activities. We encourage you to attend, bring your local businesses, and lead a delegation to our GA to find great partners not only in Taipei, but also throughout the rest of the world.

Our Trends section takes a look at what is hot in business travel in 2020, and our Member Perspective article — penned by the leadership team of WTC New Orleans — highlights their celebration of 75 years in international trade and its role as a progenitor of our Association. Our Spotlight article showcases “Europe through the Eyes of an American,” penned by Hon. Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States of America. Our Memo section provides an overview of the Member-focused activities that are part of our Association’s 50th Anniversary and a reminder of how you can participate in the celebration. And last, but by no means least, our “Around the Network” section features Membersubmitted stories that show what’s happening on the ground around the globe.

As we mentioned in the November/December Double Issue, we aim to focus this year on the new direction of our organization, shifting its emphasis on centralized HQ functions to a coordinated structure of regionalized operations, working with each and every one of you to accomplish the goals our Board has set to strengthen our global network. We believe this new governance approach will result in a more efficient allocation of resources to better prioritize the initiatives best suited for each region, and thus our global WTC network.

On behalf of the Board, we hope you are as excited as we are for what’s to come in 2020 and beyond — and we hope to see you at our annual GA in Taipei!

Sincerely,

John E. Drew

WTCA MERIDIANTM • JANUARY 2020

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Back to the Future: World Trade Center Taipei Prepares for Its Second Time Hosting a WTCA General Assembly The 2020 General Assembly in Taipei is quickly approaching, scheduled to take place at the very beginning of March. WTCA Meridian Editor Alex Brown sat down with Walter Yeh for a brief interview on why Taipei decided to bid on hosting the GA for a second time more than 20 years later, and how the city has grown to become a bustling economic hub in Asia.

Mr. Yeh—thank you so much for sitting with us today. And of course, thank you for your service on our Board of Directors. Can you take a moment to briefly introduce yourself and your role with World Trade Center (WTC) Taipei?

My name is Walter Yeh and I am the President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WTC Taipei. I’ve been with WTC Taipei for more than 30 years. It is my great honor to serve on the WTCA Board and work closely with so many fantastic colleagues and partners in the WTCA network. Throughout my career I’ve been assisting businesses to expand globally, and I’m committed to facilitating the development of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry in our region.

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Great. So, of course, WTC Taipei is no stranger to hosting a General Assembly (GA). Your organization hosted the GA before, more than 20 years ago in 1994. Why did you and your team

decide to bid on hosting the GA again in 2020?

The reason why we wanted to host the GA again in 2020 comes down to our engagement in the network, the growth of the Asia Pacific region, and the opportunities available in Taipei. In 1994, the 25th GA held in Taipei celebrated the silver jubilee of the Association and it was a great success. We’re honored by the Board’s decision to host the GA once again in Taipei this year and contribute to the celebration of the Association’s 50th Anniversary.

Asia Pacific is one of the key regions driving the growth of the WTCA network. In 2012, WTC Taipei achieved “Best Practice” in all eight categories of the WTCA Certification Program, the highest number of Best Practice certificates the WTCA had ever presented to a single member. Given that engagement and reciprocity are among the core values continuously highlighted by the Association, we wanted to host the GA again in 2020, hoping to

share what we’ve learned while deepening our relationship with our fellow WTCA members.

As a bustling Asian economic hub, Taiwan connects East Asia, South East Asia and the rest of the world. We believe that we have the talent, venue, services, city vitality, and industry opportunities that are needed for a successful GA. We believe the 51st GA in Taipei will increase the visibility of the Association in the region, attract new businesses to join the WTCA family, and enhance regional and global prosperity.

When we did our site visit earlier in May 2019 our team was quite taken with Taipei. It was exciting and dynamic, the food was delicious and the people were so friendly and welcoming. Economically speaking, it is also an important hub in the region, boasting multiple opportunities for Members and their local companies, suppliers, buyers, etc. Tell us a little about the sectors your event will feature, and some of the companies that will take part in the GA? GA 2020 will focus on “Connecting Business to the Digital World.” The event aims to facilitate industrial exchange and prepare businesses for the advantages as well as challenges of the digital era. We’re hoping that businesses can benefit from the GA to be well prepared for the new decade.

We will organize B2B meetings to facilitate industrial cooperation and connections as well as enable attendees to learn more about the latest developments in doing business in Taiwan. The industry fields covered will include agriculture and smart agriculture; green technology; the Information and Communications Technology industry, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the “Internet of Things”; the medical industry and smart healthcare; smart cities; smart manufacturing; and startups and innovation.

To give you a sneak peek at our agenda, we are honored to have Mr. Michael Chang, CEO of Microsoft’s AI Research and Development Center as our keynote speaker to address the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation. We are also proud to share recent developments in smart solutions such as smart healthcare and smart agriculture. Leading companies and institutions from around Taipei will also participate in the GA to share their insights in those areas, including Taipei Medical University Hospital; Agricultural Technology Research Institute; MiTAC Information Technology Corporation; imedtac Corporation, Ltd.; and Hugreen Corporation Ltd. You may have also learned from our weekly GA newsletters that we will be arranging company tours that will take our attendees to companies including Advantech, Brogent Technologies Inc., and iStaging to experience the latest IoT and somatosensory technologies.

Finally, one of the world’s top three bicycle trade shows, Taipei Cycle, will coincide with our GA on March 4. It will be a wonderful opportunity for attendees to explore the showgrounds and attend the forums of the show to see not

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only the latest bicycle industry developments, but also how we promote trade through international industry exhibitions.

We know your team has been hard at work preparing an incredibly enriching and meaningful program. And at the top of every Member’s mind is, of course, the allimportant B2B matchmaking opportunities for their localcompany delegations. Can you give us a sneak peek at some of the detail behind this part of the programming?

Sure! A major highlight will be the B2B Meeting Sessions on March 3. WTC Taipei will serve as a matchmakingservices platform for all participating WTCs and their member companies to help them find potential cooperation partners in Taipei and around the world.

As one of Asia’s logistic hubs, Taipei is a leading global trader and a key player in the global supply chain. We are renowned for our strong innovation capability and high performing industrial clusters. Taiwan is also the world’s 18th largest exporter of merchandise. Ranked fourth in the Asia Pacific for Global Competitiveness, Taiwan is known for its ease of doing business and is one of the best destinations for investment. So, we are inviting all fellow WTCs to organize a business delegation to Taipei and attend the B2B meeting sessions. We believe everyone can find great business partners in Taipei.

After registering to attend the GA, remember to sign up for the B2B Meeting Sessions and tell us what you are interested in procuring or offering. Our team will help match your interests with potential local companies and we’ll let you know who you’re going to meet before the meetings take place on March 3. All GA attendees are also welcome to download our official app to look for potential candidates and make their own appointments via the app platform (look out for more information in an upcoming GA newsletter).

We understand organizing a business delegation is not an easy job. So to encourage our fellow WTCs to invite more local businesses to participate in the GA, we are working with the government to offer travel incentives. Please contact our team at info@wtctaipei.org for more details about the incentive criteria.

And then of course there is the fun stuff! Tell us a little about the receptions and the gala you have planned.

Everyone loves a party!

I have to say, the Welcome Reception and the Gala Dinner are definitely parts of the GA that you will not want to miss!

During the Welcome Reception, we will provide authentic Taiwanese food and refreshments, and you will get to see Taipei’s creativity and cultural energy. Prior to the Continued on page 17

WTCA MERIDIANTM • JANUARY 2020

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World Trade Center New Orleans: Celebrating 75 Years of International Trade THOMAS P. SPIERS

Chairman of the Board, WTC New Orleans

HON. EDWARD T. HAYES

Board Member, WTC New Orleans

J. EDWIN (ED) WEBB

Chief Executive Officer, WTC New Orleans

As part of the World Trade Centers Association’s (WTCA) 50th Anniversary, we look back

Member Perspective

on one — if not THE — original Members of our organization. At a gala on November 8 World Trade Center New Orleans (WTCNO) celebrated three-quarters of a century with a black-tie gala in the heart of the Crescent City. WTCA was on-hand to help celebrate this historic moment, and the event was the culmination of WTCNO’s week-long schedule of events supporting international trade. As our oldest Member, the editorial team at WTCA Meridian asked WTCNO to pen a brief article of their historic participation.

On November 5 through 8, World Trade Center New Orleans proudly hosted the 3rd annual Louisiana International Trade Week & Jubilee in celebration of two 75-year milestones in international trade – the organization’s initial involvement in a consensus that would later form the World Trade Organization (WTO), and its unique position as a progenitor of the WTCA via the International House, and subsequently World Trade Center New Orleans.

In 1944, with the end of World War II in sight, 730 delegates representing 44 countries huddled in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire to forge an international consensus on trade, monetary, and exchange rules. The general agreement on tariffs and trade was the key outcome, with fundamental principles of economic non-discrimination guiding decades of unprecedented global growth, ultimately resulting in the creation of the WTO 50 years later in 1994. While the past 75 years of international trade have not been perfect, the GATT/WTO system has provided security and predictability for global economies once dominated by agricultural and industrial trade, which is now moving to service-based economies filled with digital promise.

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Our second 75-year milestone started right here in the Crescent City. As John Maynard Keynes of Britain and Harry Dexter White of the United States were forging new international economic policies in New Hampshire, local leaders William Zetzmann, Sr.; Rudolph Hecht; and E.O. “Archie” Jewell established the International House, and later the International Trade Mart, as institutional vehicles to capture and consolidate post-World War II international commerce in Louisiana.

As we memorialize 75 years of trade, World Trade Center

Leaders of these formative institutions included Alton Ochsner, M.D.; John P. Laborde; Basil Rusovich; James J. Coleman, Sr.; C. Alvin Bertel, Jr.; Hale Boggs; and many other visionaries. The successes of these institutions lead to their merger and the creation of World Trade Center New Orleans. Since then, the World Trade Center has been admirably led by the Hon. Thomas B. Coleman; Frank B. Stewart, Jr.; Ambassador Donald Ensenat; John L. Ochsner, M.D.; Hon. Patricia Denechaud; Hon. Donna Fraiche, and many other luminaries dedicated to the promotion of international trade, diplomacy, and peace throughout the state of Louisiana.

passion for, and dedication to trade, both on a local and

WTCA MERIDIANTM • JANUARY 2020

New Orleans honors Louisiana’s ongoing role supporting international economic growth. Together with our valued clients and business partners we celebrate this milestone with Louisiana’s multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) development projects, record-breaking cargo volumes, and expanding port activities; US-leading manufacturing productivity; and export-lead agricultural growth. World Trade Center New Orleans is driven by a global scale. Today’s economic climate faces important systemic challenges deserving the same passion and dedication given in Bretton Woods and New Orleans 75 years ago.

On behalf of the World Trade Center New Orleans Board of Directors and leadership, we pledge our continued efforts to ensure that Louisiana maintains and grows its rightful position at the forefront of the new international trade economy in this new decade and beyond, hand-inhand with its fellow WTCA Members around the globe.

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MEMO: Act Now — Deadlines to Participate in WTCA 50th Anniversary Member Activations Fast Approaching!

Last October we presented on member-

the network and within their local

centered activations as part of our

and global communities. Winners

year-long celebration of “A Half Century

will be selected by a Board panel and

of Global Trade Connectivity,” and since

awarded on-stage at the upcoming

then we have hosted several webinars to

GA in Taipei. In addition to receiving

discuss each in detail and how Members

a physical statuette, all winners will also

can participate. The “Understanding Through Trade Global Mural Competition” and the “WTCA Champions Awards” are designed with Members and their communities at their center, and both are dependent on your participation to help celebrate this milestone. As we quickly approach the culmination of our celebration at the upcoming General Assembly (GA) in Taipei, we want to remind you of a couple of deadlines so you can take part in this important moment.

There is just one month left to connect with your local artists and submit one piece of original artwork for the first activation, the “Understanding Through Trade

receive one free registration for an individual and an accompanying guest to the subsequent 2021 GA, hosted by WTC Accra. Nomination instructions and guidelines can be found here in English, Mandarin and Spanish.

Upcoming Deadlines: Nominations for the WTCA Champions Awards: Friday, January 31, 2020 Digital submissions for WTCA Global Mural Competition: Friday, February 7, 2020

Global Mural Competition.” All digital submissions will

We hope you join us in celebrating our Association’s

be physically produced by the WTCA and put on display

significant milestone by participating in these

at the GA in March so that attendees can vote for their

member-focused activations! Let’s make this a

four favorites. Winners will be selected and presented during the GA Gala, earning a US $1,500 cash prize

truly memorable Golden 50th Anniversary!

(each). Submission instructions and guidelines can be found here in English, Mandarin and Spanish.

Additionally, we are now accepting nominations for the second activation, the “WTCA Champions Awards” (or “Champies” for short), through the end of the month. We invite all Members to take part

For more information on both activations, please visit https://events.bizzabo.com/WTCA50TH/home. For any questions or concerns, please write to us at media@ wtca.org.

in this exciting new program by nominating fellow

You can also follow the WTCA on social media using

Members — whether a full team or an individual staff

the hashtags #WTCA50, #WTCAChampion and

person — and acknowledging all they do around

#WTCAGlobalMuralCompetition for the latest updates.

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J AN U ARY

The WTCA extends their warmest congratulations to those World Trade Centers celebrating yet another milestone. January marks the month when you joined our association. The WTCA is stronger because you are a part of our community, and we wish you all a Happy Anniversary!

World Trade Center Amsterdam World Trade Center Antwerp World Trade Center Brussels World Trade Center Houston World Trade Center New Orleans World Trade Center Rotterdam World Trade Center Toronto World Trade Center Geneva World Trade Center Milan World Trade Center Ghent (AF) World Trade Center Gothenburg World Trade Center Baltimore World Trade Center Istanbul World Trade Center Havana World Trade Center Poznan World Trade Center San Luis Potosi World Trade Center Cancun World Trade Center Las Vegas World Trade Center Naucalpan World Trade Center QuerĂŠtaro World Trade Center Bhubaneswar World Trade Center Jaipur World Trade Center Brasilia World Trade Center Curitiba World Trade Center Goiania World Trade Center Lisbon

50 years 50 years 50 years 50 years 50 years 50 years 50 years 49 years 48 years 47 years 47 years 43 years 40 years 39 years 17 years 11 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 7 years 7 years 6 years 5 years 5 years 4 years

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Europe Through the Eyes of an American HON. STAVROS LAMBRINIDIS

Ambassador of the European Union to the United States of America

Ask most Americans what comes to mind when they

palaces, cathedrals, and soldiers in uniform do, but the

think of Europe and the answer is usually vacations,

fact remains that the EU and the US are the lifeblood

historical places, extended family, and great food.

of each other’s economies. We are the two biggest,

Some may have even done a tour of duty as part of

most open and most free and fair economies in the

their military service and have proud memories of that

world, and we trade with and invest in each other

time. But ask what comes to mind when you mention

more than we do with any other country or region.

the European Union (EU), and these positive, even

Together, the EU and the US comprise close to 50

heart-warming, associations sometimes give way to

percent of the world’s GDP and make up roughly one-

uncertainty and perhaps even a hushed confession

third of the world’s trading volume. Our relationship

about not really knowing how the EU works, except

amounts to a total of US $2.2 trillion when goods,

that it’s complicated.

services, and income from investments — the three

It is natural that Americans whose ancestors came from Europe have a strong association with “the old country,” whichever one it may be. But since returning

pillars of international trade — are accounted for. It is also highly balanced, with the US even enjoying a slight surplus.

to Washington, D.C. as the EU Ambassador to the

This thriving relationship didn’t just happen. The EU

United States (US) last March (after a hiatus of over

Single Market — the crowning achievement of the EU’s

two decades working outside the US) I have — at times

economic integration — has made doing business in

— been baffled that the EU’s collective strength and

Europe highly practical and profitable for American

significance to the US has yet to fully register. Mention

companies. Apart from the EU itself, the US has been

World War II and everyone has visions of Americans

the biggest beneficiary of our huge, open, borderless

and Europeans joining forces to defeat fascism and

market, giving US commercial entities a pipeline to 500

maintain democracy, both at the core of US ideals and

million potential customers no matter which individual

security. Yet the EU — which is vitally important to the

EU country they choose to engage.

economic security and prosperity of the US — is still less understood, despite its positive effects on businesses, workers, and families in every single US state.

Numbers may not excite people in the same way as

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Sometimes the EU is painted as “closed” or “highly regulated” but this myth is simply not true: the Single Market is in fact a huge deregulatory exercise, replacing 28 individual countries’ disparate laws and regulations with

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Put another way, a strong and united EU is one of the best guarantees for present and future US prosperity..

”

As leaders in the global market, the EU and the US need to work together now more than ever to ensure that this culture continues to thrive beyond the shared waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If we are united, we can ensure that all players comply with the values of the international trading system. In spite of the inevitable glitches and disagreements between us, trade for both one single set of open market rules. As a result, today 47 out of 50 US states trade daily with the EU more than they do with China, and nearly half export more to the EU than they do to any other place in the world.

Put another way, a strong and united EU is one of the best guarantees for present and future US prosperity. Every year eight million American jobs are created by EU-US trade and by EU investments in all 50 states, where a full 70 percent of all foreign investment comes from EU firms.

The livelihood of millions of American households depends on our unparalleled economic partnership, just as seven million EU jobs depend on fair and open US trade and investment in Europe*.

of us has always been a win-win proposition.

And so, in my visits throughout the US, I always encourage others to look at the EU through the lens of US prosperity, and to see our EU member states not just as beautiful destinations but as invaluable trading partners — ones that increase the quality of life on American soil through the benefits brought by EU-US trade. Our shared ideals have united us for decades and remain true to our core today. The transatlantic relationship is the embodiment of these interests and values, the avenue for our financial success, and the vehicle for guaranteeing our future security and prosperity.

This prosperity is not limited to purchasable items that

*This article was made possible with the support of the

result in direct income — tangibles like Irish whiskey

European American Chamber of Commerce in New York

and Kentucky bourbon, German cars and cars made in

(EACCNY).

Detroit, and Italian herbs and soybeans from Iowa. Much of the backbone of the transatlantic economy lies in the intangibles, which focus on people and values. With our goods, services and foreign investment, we export to each other, and to the world, key values we both hold dear.

*Curious to learn more? Check out our EU-US Trade website at www.euintheustrade.org

WTCA MERIDIANTM • JANUARY 2020

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AROUND THE NETWORK MEMBER POLL As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the World Trade Centers Association, we’d love to see what 50 years have looked like for Members. Do you have historical materials, photos or videos that you’d like to share? Tell us about it! We would love to get permission to use these as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary over the course of the next year. If you'd like to help, let us know here!

ASIA PACIFIC SUPPLY CHAIN 4.0 World Trade Center Bengaluru World Trade Center Bengaluru, in association with IIMM, organized a lecture on “Supply Chain 4.0.”

This event was largely attended by participants from various sectors...

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INTERACTIVE MEETING WITH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE World Trade Center Chennai The World Trade Center Chennai team — led by Dr. Bose Nair, Vice President — held meetings with regional and local chambers of commerce present in the city visà-vis Madras...

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WTC GOA ORGANIZES AWARENESS PROGRAM ON IPR World Trade Center Goa World Trade Center Goa and the MSME Development Institute Goa jointly organized an awareness program on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on December 17…

Full Story

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WTC GOA INTRODUCES SECTOR WISE PANEL OF EXPERTS

CERTIFICATE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROGRAM

World Trade Center Goa

World Trade Center Metro Manila

With a goal to develop international trade and promote investments from and into Goa, as well as to promote Goa as a world-class hub for manufacturing, trading and investment, World...

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The first batch of graduates of World Trade Center Metro Manila’s Certificate in International Trade (CIT) completed an 80-credit hour program held...

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SEMINAR ON DOING BUSINESS IN THE U.S. World Trade Center Kochi World Trade Center Kochi conducted a seminar on “Doing Business in the U.S.” in association with the IndoAmerican Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Vaibhav Manek...

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MARKETS OF THE WORLD X FEATURING DESIGN INDUSTRY World Trade Center Metro Manila The 10th “Markets of the World” (MOW X), organized by World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) on December 17, featured the Design Industry...

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MAGENTO MEETUP KOCHI

TANZANIAN MINER’S ASSOCIATION DISCUSS TRADE TIES

World Trade Center Kochi

World Trade Center Mumbai

World Trade Center Kochi hosted a Magento meetup on December 7. The event was organized by the Kochi Magento meetup group along with NASSCOM...

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Senior officials from the Federation of Miner’s Association of Tanzania (FEMATA) visited MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai to explore opportunities...

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GRANDSON SHARES RICH STORIES OF SIR VISVESVARAYA

DEVELOPMENT

World Trade Center Mumbai

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is tunneling the future of transportation in Las Vegas as Elon Musk’s The Boring Company (TBC) has started work...

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An interactive meeting was held in honor of Mr. Satish Mokshagundam, President of the Visvesvaraya National Memorial Trust (Bengaluru), along with senior...

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NORTH AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN ARCTIC AMBITIONS VIII CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW January 09 - 10, 2020 | Upcoming Event World Trade Center Anchorage

A two-day international conference with a focused agenda on trade, commerce and investment in the Arctic. Don’t miss the first event of the year to discuss...

Register

LAS VEGAS UNDERGROUND PEOPLE MOVER IN

World Trade Center Las Vegas

WTC LAS VEGAS TO WELCOME 20+ WTCS DURING CES 2020 World Trade Center Las Vegas World Trade Center Las Vegas is proud to announce a terrific response to our CES 2020/WTCA Delegate Program, which is a joint project between the Trade Services Member Advisory Council (MAC)...

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PACPROINC® FOR SAFE, EFFICIENT FOOD PACKAGING World Trade Center Philadelphia Ever wonder how the piece of paper you find in between beef

patties gets there? Most probably not. At one time, human hands painstakingly placed the paper, one at a time...

Full Story WTCSAV PRESENTS OFFICIAL RESOLUTION AT BOD MEETING World Trade Center Savannah At World Trade Center Savannah’s (WTCSav) December Board of Directors meeting, WTCSav staff and board members presented an official resolution to Lynn Brennan...

Full Story EAST MEETS WEST AT THE WTCDC World Trade Center Washington, D.C. Beijing Days in DC 2019 (November 21-22) celebrated the 35th Anniversary of the Sister Cities’ relationship between Washington, D.C. and Beijing. The hosts were Beijing Municipal Government...

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HQ UPDATE: WTCA Executive Director of Corporate Services Travels to Beijing for CCPIT Event On December 9 and 10 Arun Manansingh, WTCA Executive Director – Corporate Services, spoke at and attended the “Chinese Listed Companies to Build the Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum and Enterprises Transnational Investment Conference” in Beijing on behalf of the Association to discuss and support the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), in partnership with the WTCA, the event included a speech

by Mr. Gao Yunlong, Vice Chair of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry

WTCA MERIDIANTM • JANUARY 2020

and Commerce; a speech by Madam Gao Yan, Chairwoman of CCPIT; and a keynote speech from Annie S.C. Wu, Director of World Trade Center (WTC) Nansha and Honorary Lifetime Member of the WTCA Board. Plenary sessions were held during the event to discuss the infrastructure and construction of the BRI program and how it aims to boost industrial development and welfare, as well as enhance trade flow and promote trade liberalization. Mr. Manansingh also met with WTCA members in the region including WTC Dandong, WTC Harbin, WTC Kuala Lumpur, WTC Shenyang, WTC Singapore, and WTC Suzhou to learn more about their work and support of the WTCA network.

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SE A C OW H S SME

WTCA GA attendees at the 2019 WTCA General Assembly in Querétaro, Mexico. Photo from left to right: Dr. Ignazio Marino, Senior Vice President, Professor of Surgery, Jefferson University; Linda Conlin, President, WTCGP; Edgar Vesga President and CEO, Philadelphia International Medicine; Arturo Daniel Aceves, Director of International Market Development and Communications, Philadelphia International Medicine.

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Philadelphia International Medicine and Panama Clinic sign a Memorandum of Understanding providing access to eight world-renowned Philadelphia hospitals.

Photo from left to right: Edgar Vesga, President and CEO, Philadelphia International Medicine; Theodoro Constantinau, President, Panama Clinic; and Dr. Edwin A. Villalobos, Medical Director, Panama Clinic.

Name of the SME Member: Philadelphia International Medicine

How many employees work for the SME: 14

(PIM)

The SME’s most recent accomplishment: On November

Brief description about the SME: Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM) provides international patients and physicians with access to an unmatched network of worldrenowned doctors, surgeons and hospitals that deliver personalized medical, surgical and rehabilitative care ranked among the best in the world. Their work focuses on: ■ Assisting international patients seeking high quality, cost-effective medical care ■ Empowering governments and hospital administrators from around the world to build their own solutions to local health needs, world-class hospitals, and health facilities ■ Creating partnerships with international physicians for training, research and development

When the SME was founded: 1999 16

19, Main Line Health joined Philadelphia International Medicine’s (PIM) network of hospitals providing international patients and physicians with access to high-quality, internationally-renowned care such as Lankenau Medical Center, one of the nation’s top 50 cardiovascular hospitals.

Any tips for other SMEs: “My advice is to align your company with organizations and individuals who support your mission and can help tell your story. Look in your own backyard for resources. And most importantly build a strong, motivated team who delivers the highest level of customer service and are passionate about their contribution to the company’s mission,” Edgar Antístenes Vesga, President and Chief Executive Officer of Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM).

Link to the SME’s website: https://www.philadelphiamedicine.com/

Continued from page 7 reception, you can join a tour of the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park known as the creative hub of Taipei.

At the Gala Dinner, in addition to the great food and refreshments, you will be amazed by how well technology complements the performing arts, and participate in the conclusion of the WTCA’s 50th Anniversary. That’s all I can say right now — you’ll just have to come and see it in person. Again, we are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to host this milestone event here in Taipei.

I also understand there is a lot more to the island than just Taipei, with some truly beautiful sights and attractions in the area for our Members and their accompanying guests to visit. What kinds of activities and excursions can Members look forward to if they decide to spend a little more time in Taiwan outside of the GA? There are things to see and do in various cities all over the island. Thanks to the High Speed Rail (THSR) and frequent flights, in addition to an extensive train and bus network called the Taipei Metro (MRT) and Railway (TRA), going from Taipei to other cities such as Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien and the offshore islands of Taiwan is fast and convenient.

One of the cities you must visit is Tainan. Located just under two hours away by THSR, the city is renowned for its 300-year-old history and amazing street food. To the east of the island is the world famous Taroko Gorge National Park located in Hualien. Also just two hours away by train from Taipei, the park is known for its hiking trails, skywalks, and mountainous scenery.

Taiwan is also known for its culture and festivals. For example, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is named one

of the “14 Festivals To Attend” by Fodor’s Travel, and is called “the second biggest New Year’s Eve celebration in the world” by the Discovery Channel. Additionally, you can relax in a traditional tea house and experience a traditional tea tasting and ceremony with a tea master. The next tea master could be you.

And last but not least you can find temples almost everywhere, playing an important role in Taiwanese religious culture and in people’s daily lives. With more than 15,000 temples in Taiwan, these temples are not only a place of worship, but they also serve as community centers to interact with others. The most recognizable temple in Taipei, Longshan Temple, was originally constructed in 1738 and is easily accessible via the MRT’s Longshan Temple station.

Well I know from working with your team that this is going to be a GREAT GA. Is there anything I left out?

Anything else you would like to add?

Taipei is an energetic and creative city that will never stop amazing you. Ideas and innovation are what this city is all about. Not only does Taipei offer business opportunities, but it also provides access to regional and even global opportunities. We’ve prepared a full agenda of surprises and fun activities that will surely make anyone fall in love with the city. So if you haven’t registered for GA 2020 yet, do it now!

Great—thank you so much for your time. I know so many of our Members are looking forward to what we are certain will be a fantastic GA!Thank you! We look forward to hosting it as well. See you in Taipei!

WTCA FOUNDATION THE DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM IS JANUARY 31!!!

DO YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE? Click here to visit our website at www.wtcafoundation.org and learn more!

Trends

Trends

Top Trends

FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL IN 2020 As we enter the new decade, experts throughout the travel industry are preparing not only for an uptick in corporate travel — based on the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) forecast for 3.6% growth — but also for changes in what business travelers expect when they are away from home. Predictions for the top 2020 travel trends include high-tech and hightouch adjustments that will help smooth the difficulties inherent in business trips — whether across the country or around the globe — to make business travel easier and less stressful.

INCREASED DEPENDENCE ON AND AVAILABILITY OF MOBILE PHONE SERVICES Business travelers were early adopters of smartphone technology because the devices allowed them to stay on top of new developments while on the go for both business information and travel conditions. American Express predicts that mobile phones will play an increasingly important role as travelers use them “not just for tracking and managing flight information but also for buying ancillary services such as hotel rooms and ground transportation.” The International Air Transport Association (IATA) adds that smartphones allow airlines to adopt individualized prices that are calculated to reflect corporate agreements, past purchases, and elite-tier loyalty benefits, as well

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as current market conditions. And in response to traveler demands to stay connected at all times, American Express notes that “the era of patchy, often slow in-flight Wi-Fi may finally be ending” as mobile service providers are invited to offer cellular service on airplanes so that travelers can maintain seamless connectivity.

MORE ATTENTION TO TRAVELER WELL-BEING An increasing number of companies are working to provide business travelers with the resources they need to maintain healthy travel habits. A study by the travel technology company Amadeus concluded that traveler well-being goes far beyond access to a gym and healthy food options. The company found that the constant stress involved with safety concerns and getting from place to place with luggage intact are huge barriers to well-being. “Today’s travelers benefit from in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, airport technology to minimize waiting lines, hotel technology to provide guests with personalized services, and mobile travel apps with everything a traveler needs,” notes Amadeus. As a result, the company predicts that travel apps, many of which already provide services that were unimagined just a few years ago, will continue to grow throughout 2020 and beyond.

IMPROVEMENTS TO TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS Technology will continue to play an important role in travel throughout the new year. Increased use of biometrics and digital travel identity tools at airports and border crossings will reduce security lines and wait times.

Amadeus also predicts that new artificial intelligence weather forecasting tools using “nontraditional data points, such as connected cars, cell towers and IoT [Internet of Things] devices,” combined with “information from more conventional radar, satellite and weather station sources” will reduce travel delays.

Furthermore, an increasing number of personalized travel apps — which do everything from tracking luggage and converting currency in real time to providing foreign language translations — will make the act of moving from one place to another less disruptive.

BETTER GREEN PRACTICES Some travel writers acknowledge, “Travel is a[n]… environmentally destructive activity.” For many businesses, the negative ecological impact of travel conflicts with efforts to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. For many individuals, it adds to the stress

WTCA MERIDIANTM • JANUARY 2020

of travel. To alleviate this stress, the travel industry has responded with innovative attempts to reduce its impact on the environment. Some notable examples include more hotels replacing disposable mini toiletries with bulksize dispensers; more designs for hotels, airports, and train stations that use salvaged materials; and airlines working to reduce the nearly six million tons of trash generated by their passengers each year. Expect these trends to continue throughout 2020.

EASING THE BURDENS In the dawn of the new year, there is clear recognition throughout the travel industry that as travel continues to grow, both in terms of dollars spent on travel and in the number of people traveling, adjustments need to be made to ease the burdens that travel often imposes on business people and our environment. As a result, the major trends in travel — increased dependence on and availability of mobile phone services, more attention to traveler well-being, improvements in technological solutions, and better ecological practices — will make business travel easier and more sustainable for years to come.

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