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September 2026 CONFERENCE & EXHIBITIONS ISSUE
Dear Readers, Welcome to the September 2026 "Conference & Exhibitions" Issue of the WTCA Meridian™ e-newsletter. This issue begins with a special message from WTCA Chair, Board of Directors John E. Drew on the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11. The issue also includes a blog post on how WTC Miami leverages the global WTCA network to power trade events, and a Q&A with several WTCA Members that specialize in the conferences and exhibitions sector on the changes they are seeing post-COVID-19, including a surprising consensus on where AI fits in and where it doesn't. Plus, discover upcoming events and news from across the WTCA network. P.S. The next WTCA Meridian will be the October 2026 "Connecting Ideas. Shaping What's Next." Issue. Be sure to submit your news and events by Friday, October 2 and you could be featured in our next issue!
UPCOMING WTCA EVENTS Check out the full WTCA Events calendar for network-wide conferences, trade shows, networking and more.
Sector Salon: Supply Chain & Logistics This free and highly interactive networking session will connect professionals from across the global WTCA network and their extended business communities through brief insights from guests from Ernst & Young, ResC4EUm, and Norzh Conseils, before moving to focused breakout rooms — creating opportunities to exchange ideas, build meaningful connections and uncover new business opportunities.
📆 Date: September 23, 2026 (09:00 - 10:00 EDT) 📍 Location: Zoom 🔗 Register Here (Free to attend; Open to WTCA Members and their local networks) 2026 APAC WTC Best Practice Sharing Series Learn about WTC Binh Duong New City's ten operating practices. The host of the upcoming 2027 WTCA GBF, WTC Binh Duong New City works as Asia Pacific’s industrial trade hub because it sits in Greater Ho Chi Minh City’s factory belt, not in a
downtown hall. Buyers source at WTC EXPO in the morning and walk a plant in the afternoon. That is where the factory floor meets the world.
📆 Date: September 29, 2026 📍 Location: Virtual 🔗 Register Here
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
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 🎟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 - WEBSITE NOW LIVE The countdown to Vietnam begins! In partnership with WTC Binh Duong New City, the 2027 GBF will bring together the global WTC 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 New City, Vietnam 🔗 Learn More Here
UPCOMING WTCA MEMBER EVENTS Check out the full WTCA Events calendar for network-wide conferences, trade shows, networking and more.
WTC Denver’s Annual Gathering | Celebrate Karen Gerwitz's legacy Join the WTC Denver community for an evening of connection, celebration, and an exciting look at what’s ahead for WTC Denver. They'll celebrate Karen Gerwitz’s remarkable 16 years of leadership and introduce their new CEO.
📆 Date: October 6, 2026 Location: Denver Museum of 📍Nature & Science 🔗 Register Here
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 As part of a partnership with Africa Property Investments (API) Events, WTCA Members have access to a 20% discount offer on registration. Showcase Indian Ocean Formerly the API Mauritius & Indian Ocean Property Forum. The region's leading event for hospitality, luxury real estate and institutional finance.
📆 Date: October 8, 2026 📍 Location: InterContinental Resort Mauritius, Mauritius
🔗 Register Here
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
See All Upcoming WTCA Network Events
WTCA REMEMBERS 9/11 (2-minute read) A special message from WTCA Chair, Board of Directors John E. Drew in honor of the 25th anniversary. We pause to remember the lives lost, honor the courage and sacrifice of those who responded, and stand with the families and communities whose lives were forever changed. May we continue to remember, reflect, and never forget... Read more >
Q&A: THREE MARKETS ON THE FUTURE OF EVENTS (5-minute read)
Six years after the pandemic emptied convention halls, three experts agree on something surprising: AI isn't replacing the room. It's making the room matter more. Leaders from WTC Metro Manila, WTC Durban, and Dubai WTC break down what's actually shifting, from how ROI gets measured to what younger attendees now expect. Their answers point to the same conclusion from three very different markets. Read more >
HOW WTC MIAMI LEVERAGES THE GLOBAL WTCA NETWORK TO POWER TRADE EVENTS (3-minute read)
At the heart of global commerce, trade shows and international exhibitions serve as powerful engines for economic development. For WTC Miami, this mission is supercharged by its affiliation with the WTCA. In a recent testimonial video, Ivan Barrios, President and CEO of WTC Miami, offered a compelling case study on how holding a WTC license profoundly strengthened the city’s ability to drive international trade, support local businesses and elevate its most important global events.
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.
International Diploma in Agribusiness 5.0 WTC Durango, in collaboration with the Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED) and the WTCA, will host the "International Diploma in Agribusiness 5.0: Innovation, Global Trade, and Sustainable Development in the Americas." Conducted entirely in Spanish, the program runs until October 22, 2026.
🔗 Read more
WTC Singapore Launches Renewed Operations
Becamex and SaigonTourist Expand Partnership
WTC Singapore officially marked its renewed launch on July 5, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to connecting international capital, innovation, and global markets.
Becamex Group and Saigontourist Group signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement for the 2026–2030 period, strengthening collaboration across tourism, hospitality, services, trade promotion and related business activities.
WTC Singapore will leverage Singapore’s unique position as a globally recognized international financial, trading, and innovation hub.
🔗 Read more
🔗 Read more
Read WTCA Member News
WELCOME NEW WTCA MEMBER Stay tuned for an interview with our newest Member in a future edition of Meridian. World Trade Center Chengalpattu
CELEBRATING SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Join us in recognizing these milestone anniversaries across the network. World Trade Center Visakhapatnam — 5 years World Trade Center Yerevan — 5 years
NEXT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, October 2 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
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