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October 2026 "CONNECTING IDEAS. SHAPING WHAT'S NEXT." ISSUE
Dear Readers, Welcome to the October 2026 "Connecting Ideas. Shaping What's Next." Issue of the WTCA Meridian™ e-newsletter. This issue begins with a special message from WTCA CEO Annette Gregg on stepping into her new role and speaking at this year's Member Forum alongside WTCA Chair, Board of Directors to share key updates from across WTCA, their perspectives on the Association’s direction, and what’s ahead for our global network. In honor of this year's Member Forum Theme "Connecting Ideas. Shaping What's Next," the issue also includes a blog post on a new WTCA Global Campaign "Five Regions. One Global Network." featuring recaps of the four regional WTCA Conferences held to date (Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, and North America); recaps of WTCA's participation at the recent 2026 CIFIT and CIFTIS events in China; and a Q&A with WTCA's newest Members (WTC Chengalpattu and WTC Punta Cana). Plus, discover upcoming events and news from across the WTCA network. P.S. The next WTCA Meridian will be the November/December 2026 "Forward Looking into 2027" Issue. Be sure to submit your news and events by Friday, November 20 and you could be featured in our last issue of the year!
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROMWTCACEO ANNETTE GREGG (2-minute read)
A special message from WTCA CEO Annette Gregg as she joins the WTCA network.
What drew me to this role is the organization’s unique ability to unite business leaders, economic development champions, and global innovators under one trusted and respected brand. Our network’s reach and reputation are unmatched, and the work you do every day strengthens the fabric of global commerce, supporting companies and creating jobs for people around the world. Read more >
UPCOMING WTCA EVENTS Check out the full WTCA Events calendar for network-wide conferences, trade shows, networking and more.
WTCA Free Zones Go Global - Make Your Free Zone a World-Class Business Destination Designed for WTCA Members and Free Zone operators, this webinar will explore how the two ecosystems can work together to identify investment opportunities, strengthen investor outreach and position their markets as competitive business destinations. Through expert insights and real-world perspectives, participants will learn how to develop targeted FDI strategies, leverage regulatory and sector advantages, provide soft-landing support, and use the WTCA global network to build connections with potential investors across international markets.
📆 Date: October 19, 2026 (10:00 - 11:00 EDT) 📍 Location: Virtual 🔗 Register Here (Free to attend; Open to WTCA Members and their local networks) 2026 APAC WTC Best Practice Sharing Series — Q4 (WTC Bengaluru on their "Discovery Series" initiative)
During the session, WTC Bengaluru will share the story behind the "Discovery Series," how it was conceived, the partnerships that helped shape it, key learnings from its journey and the impact it has created for their local business community. They’ll also exchange ideas with fellow WTC colleagues, including those who have been part of the journey, and share the learnings from the innovative programs being undertaken across the WTCA network.
📆 Date: December 8, 2026 (12:00 - 13:00 IST) 📍 Location: Zoom 🔗 Register Here (Free to attend; Open to WTCA Members and their local networks)
2026 WTCA Member Forum (Virtual) Join us virtually to connect with fellow WTCA Members, exchange ideas and explore new opportunities to strengthen your WTC business and the global network. Centered on the theme, “Connecting Ideas. Shaping What’s Next,” this year’s Member Forum is about education through the network. As we look toward the future, there is so much value in learning from each other — what’s working, what’s changing and what we can do differently to stay ahead.
📆 Dates: October 27-28, 2026 📍 Location: Virtual 🔗 Register Here | Agenda Here
2026 WTCA Asia Pacific Conference Hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia's commercial and financial center, the conference offers participants the opportunity to connect with one of Asia Pacific's most dynamic business markets.
📆 Dates: November 18-20, 2026 Location: WTC Jakarta l Jakarta, 📍Indonesia 🔗 Register Here | Agenda Here 🎟available NOTE: Complimentary registration is for the first 50 APAC Member registrants, with a maximum of 2 complimentary registrations per WTC license.
2027 WTCA Global Business Forum The countdown to Vietnam continues! In partnership with WTC Binh Duong New City, the 2027 GBF will bring together the global WTCA network, local Vietnamese businesses and international companies under the theme “Forging the Future of Trade & Investment.” Attendees will experience a packed agenda featuring a keynote address on Artificial Intelligence, a Trade Disruption simulation, certificate- earning Masterclasses, expanded networking opportunities, and business tours — all designed to build meaningful connections and provide practical takeaways attendees can bring back to their business and cities.
📆 Dates: April 4-7, 2027 📍 Location: Binh Duong Ward, North of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 🔗 Register Here
UPCOMING WTCA MEMBER EVENTS Check out the full WTCA Events calendar for network-wide conferences, trade shows, networking and more.
Italy Cultural & Business Exchange Opportunity from OWIT and World Trade Center Arkansas: a Women’s Business & Cultural Exchange in Italy designed to bring together accomplished women from the United States, Italy, and the broader World Trade Center network.
📆 Dates: October 17-27, 2026 Location: Italy (Milan, Lake Como, 📍Florence, Chianti region and Rome) 🔗 More Info
E3 2026: Your Gateway to Philippines MICE Recognized as the Philippines' premier event sourcing fair, E3 brings together event organizers, venues, suppliers, technology providers, and service companies with key decision-makers from the meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE), and events industries.
📆 Dates: October 28-29, 2026 📍 Location: WTC Metro Manila 🔗 Register Here
UPCOMING WTCA PARTNER EVENTS FROM API EVENTS AND CCPIT As part of a partnership with Africa Property Investments (API) Events, WTCA Members have access to a 20% discount offer on registration. APEC CEO Summit 2026 As the premier annual business event in the APAC region hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), this year's APEC CEO Summit will be themed "To Prosper and Win the Future Together." Leaders of APEC economies, business representatives, members of the APEC Business Advisory Council, heads of business associations and trade promotion agencies, as well as media and think-tank delegates will gather for in-depth exchanges on major issues concerning APAC regional economic cooperation and global economic development.
Morocco Showcase Summit Focused on hospitality, tourism and real estate investment opportunities in Morocco for developers, hoteliers, banks and industry leaders.
📆 Date: November 26, 2026 Location: Casablanca Marriott Hotel, 📍Morocco 🔗 Register Here
📆 Date: November 17-18, 2026 📍 Location: Shenzhen, China Register Here (Application deadline 🔗to attend is October 15)
See All Upcoming WTCA Network Events
WTCA GLOBAL CAMPAIGN: "FIVE REGIONS. ONE GLOBAL NETWORK" (2-minute read) In honor of this month’s 2026 WTCA Member Forum — we are launching a new WTCA global campaign “Five Regions. One Global Network.” to highlight the strength, reach and impact of our global network with key findings from our recent regional WTCA Conferences. Read more >
EVENT RECAPS: 2026 WTCA @ CIFIT AND 2026 WTCA @ CIFTIS PROGRAM & CHINESE-SPEAKING REGIONAL MEETING (3-minute read each) The 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) was held in Xiamen from September 7-11. During CIFIT, WTCA co-hosted two programs — the "Gulangyu Forum 2026: World Business Leaders Roundtable for Global Investment" and the "2026 WTO Investment Facilitation Exchange." Read more about 2026 WTCA CIFIT Program >
The 2026 WTCA @ China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) Program and Chinese-speaking Regional Meeting were successfully concluded in Beijing on September 12, bringing together nearly 40 representatives from more
than 10 WTC businesses and companies across the Chinese-speaking region. Read more about 2026 WTCA @ CIFTIS Program >
Q&A WITH WTCA'S NEWEST MEMBERS (5-minute read)
Check out this Q&A featuring our newest Members to learn more about their plans for their WTC businesses. Read on for our conversation with WTC Chengalpattu and WTC Punta Cana. Read more >
AROUND THE WTCA NETWORK Discover how WTCA Members are driving innovation, trade and growth across the globe. Read what's happening around the WTCA network.
WTC Vancouver Alumnus Wins
WTC Ribeirão Preto: Business Leaders in
WTC Metro Manila Unveils Expansion for
Exporter of the Year
Portugal
Nightmarket Games, a Vancouver-based mobile game studio and proud alumnus of the WTC-Vancouver Trade Accelerator Program, has been named Exporter of the Year at the 2026 Leaders in Export Excellence Awards, hosted by the World Trade Centre Toronto.
Business leaders connected to WTC Ribeirão Preto Business Club took part in an immersion into Portugal’s corporate environment from September 13 to 16. The delegation also included two business leaders from Mexico, further strengthening the international dimension of the initiative.
🔗 Read more
🔗 Read more
Global Growth WTC Metro Manila (WTCMM) today announced its expansion plans, a strategic move backed by a P3 billion investment designed to increase capacity, meet rising demand from exhibition and event organizers, and reinforce the Philippines’ standing as a destination for worldclass business events and trade shows. Read more
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Read WTCA Member News
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY ACCREDITED MEMBERS
Premier Accredited with specializations in Trade Development and Business & Member Services
Accredited with specializations in Trade Development and Business & Member Services
CELEBRATING OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES Join us in recognizing these milestone anniversaries across the network. World Trade Center São Paulo — 40 years World Trade Center Tacoma — 40 years World Trade Center McAllen – 35 years World Trade Center St. Louis – 35 years
World Trade Center Abu Dhabi – 20 years World Trade Center Arkansas – 20 years World Trade Center Savannah – 15 years World Trade Center Coimbatore – 1 year World Trade Center Okanagan – 1 year World Trade Center São José do Rio Preto – 1 year
NEXT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, November 20 WTCA Members, submit your news, conferences, networking events, trade shows, trade missions and more to be included in the WTCA Global News & Events Calendar via the WTCA Digital Platform. This is a free resource for all WTCA Members to expand your digital footprint across the globe. NOTE: Submitters are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate rights for any/all media used within the submitted article(s) and will be liable for any fees associated with such use. Questions? Email newsletter@wtca.org.
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2026 WTCA Meridian Deadlines November/December Issue - Friday, November 20 2027 WTCA Meridian Deadlines Stay tuned!
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