Dear Readers,

Welcome to the May 2026 Issue of the WTCA Meridian™ e-newsletter. 

This month's issue focuses on global trade in honor of World Trade Month, with a recap of the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum, hosted by WTC Greater Philadelphia; a blog post on how the Portland Metro Chamber leverages WTCA to drive global trade and economic growth; and highlights of WTCA in the news. This month's issue also includes upcoming events and news from our Membership.

We also invite you to check out the newly launched 2026 WTCA Member Catalog! Centered on the theme The Power of Impact: Strengthening Commerce & Communities, the latest edition highlights the diverse organizations that bring the WTC brand to life in their markets. Discover the facilities, services, initiatives and events offered by each Member, as well as examples of how WTC businesses contribute to their local economies and communities — demonstrating how global connectivity translates into real-world impact.

P.S. For this issue's CALL TO ACTION, tell us how your WTC business is celebrating the 24th anniversary of WTCA DAY (June 12). Respond by Friday, June 5 and you could be featured in our next issue! Email newsletter@wtca.org.

UPCOMING WTCA EVENTS

Check out the full WTCA Events calendar for network-wide conferences, trade shows, networking and more.

2026 Geopolitical Update 

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), in collaboration with The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) and the World Trade Center Netherlands Alliance, will present the 2026 Geopolitical Update — a timely virtual briefing exploring the geopolitical, economic, and trade dynamics shaping global business in the year ahead. 

📆 Date/Time: June 8, 2026 (05:00 - 07:00 EDT)

📍 Location: Hybrid

🔗 Register Here (Livestream is open to WTCA Members and their business networks; free to attend)

WTCA Day — Destination India

Celebrate the 24th annual WTCA Day (June 12) with a special Asia Pacific (APAC) event hosted by WTCA, in collaboration with WTC Pune. Learn about investment opportunities in India and how the WTCA network is a strategic investment multiplier to enhance project branding/visibility.  

📆 Date/Time: June 9, 2026 (10:00-19:30 IST)

📍 Location: Pune, India (hosted by WTC Pune)

🔗 More Information

Deadline: 2028 WTCA Global Business Forum Bid Applications

Drive investment, partnerships, and global visibility to your city and WTC business. Submit your bid to host the 2028 GBF.

📆 Deadline: June 18, 2026

🔗 Email Sharon Armogan-Aguayo, WTCA Member Engagement Manager, for more details

Deadline: UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 

Be part of the UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 — an international open innovation initiative seeking scalable solutions across areas such as blue renewable energy, sustainable food systems, green maritime transport, coastal tourism, ecosystem restoration, and blue tech. WTCA Members and their networks are encouraged to participate.

📆 Deadline: June 19, 2026

🔗 More Information

Women@WTCA Community Meeting

📆 Date/Time: June 24, 2026 (09:00-10:00 EDT)

💡 Topic: International Day of Women in Diplomacy 

📍 Location: Zoom

🔗 Register Here (Open to WTCA Members only; allies welcome; free to attend)

Best Practice Sharing — Integrated Trade Platforms

📆 Date/Time: June 30, 2026

💡 Topic: How WTC Mumbai conceptualizes and delivers integrated trade platforms by combining global summits, international exhibitions, and policy dialogues 

📍 Location: Zoom

🔗 More information

RECAP OF THE 2026 WTCA GLOBAL BUSINESS FORUM HOSTED BY WTC GREATER PHILADELPHIA

(4-minute read)

This year' GBF marked the Forum’s return to the United States after nearly a decade, convening over 500 attendees representing 116 WTC businesses across 53 countries and territories, including over 200 business delegates, both in person and virtually.

Read more >

PORTLAND METRO CHAMBER LEVERAGES WTCA TO DRIVE GLOBAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

(3-minute read)

In an era where cities must think globally to compete locally, the Portland Metro Chamber has found a powerful ally in WTCA.

In a recent video, Andrew Hohn, President & CEO of the Portland Metro Chamber, outlines how this partnership is helping Portland businesses break into international markets, gain access to global trade resources and position the city as a thriving hub for global commerce.

Read more >

WTCA IN THE NEWS

WTCA is making headlines! Our network is shaping conversations on trade, real estate and business across top global publications.

🌎 ABC6 News Philadelphia features coverage of the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum, hosted by WTC Greater Philadelphia (April 19-22), with Emcee/ABC6 co-anchor of Action News Nydia Han and keynote speakers Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Xie Feng, Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. 

🏥 Express Healthcare features an interview with WTCA Vice President, Asia Pacific Scott Wang and WTC AMTZ Founder CEO/Managing Director Dr. Jitendra Sharma on India’s MedTech sector and how it is benefiting from recent FTAs with the UK, EU, and EFTA nations through lower tariffs, regulatory alignment, and easier market access (see page 27). 

🌐 Inside Supply Management features a Q&A with Karen Gerwitz (President and CEO, WTC Denver) on the ongoing volatility and unpredictability of the tariff environment one year after "Liberation Day," and the value of the WTCA network to navigate uncertainty.

NOTE: All WTCA media coverage secured by WTCA's global PR teams can be found on the WTCA Resource Center here. For any inquiries, reach out to media@wtca.org.

AROUND THE WTCA NETWORK

Discover how WTCA Members are driving innovation, trade and growth across the globe.

From World Trade Month celebrations around the word in cities including Denver, Kentucky, Miami, Montana, Mumbai, Oxnard, Paris and Savannah; to recent conversations with foreign dignitaries; to WTCA representation at the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF) in Bahrain... Read what's happening around the WTCA network.