World Trade Centers Association and World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia successfully concluded the 56th annual WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF), held from April 19 to 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. The four-day event brought together over 500 attendees from more than 50 countries and territories, including business leaders, government representatives, academia and international organisations.
The Forum marked the return of the WTCA Global Business Forum to the United States after nearly a decade and featured participants from 116 WTC businesses across 53 countries and territories. More than 200 business delegates attended both in person and virtually to explore opportunities in global trade, investment and collaboration.
Held under the theme “Historic Foundations, Future Collaborations: Cultivating New Business Frontiers,” the event featured panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions and B2B meetings facilitated through the B2Match platform. Discussions focused on trade dynamics, investment trends, economic collaboration and international business growth.
Keynote speakers included Cherelle Parker, Ambassador Xie Feng, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen and NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving, who participated in discussions around global trade, leadership, culture and economic growth.
Speaking at the Forum, John E. Drew said, “In today’s climate, meeting in person is essential for fostering authentic connections, and the annual WTCA Global Business Forum opens the conversation to shed light on the reality of the current trade environment — where uncertainty, shifting policies and economic pressures are reshaping how business gets done across borders. Through this Forum, the global WTCA network provides a trusted platform for leaders to exchange perspectives, build relationships and move forward with the clarity and confidence they need as they continue advancing their regional economies. This year, we reinforced that global connection and engagement is critical in driving reliable trade, investment and long-term economic growth even in challenging times.”
Thomas Young also highlighted the significance of hosting the Forum in Philadelphia, saying, “It meant a lot to host the WTCA network here in Philadelphia, especially as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary. There’s a strong sense of history here, but also real momentum. Throughout the Forum, we saw people making connections that go beyond introductions — the kind that lead to business, partnerships and long-term growth. That was happening in B2B meetings, in sessions and in conversations across the city, and it’s exactly what this network is built to support — bringing people together in ways that translate into real economic opportunity.”
The event also featured the second edition of the WTCA Real Estate Summit and marked the launch of the UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026, an innovation initiative focused on sustainable and scalable solutions across sectors including renewable energy, sustainable food systems and maritime transport.
The 57th annual WTCA Global Business Forum is scheduled to take place from April 4 to 7, 2027, in Binh Duong New City, hosted by World Trade Center Binh Duong New City.
