NEW YORK, NY – December 2, 2019 – Today, the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) unveiled its “WTCA Champions Awards,” or “Champies,” for short, a new awards program designed to recognize excellence throughout its global network. Nominations for these awards will open in early 2020, and the inaugural winners will be presented at the WTCA’s 51st annual General Assembly (GA) Gala in Taipei.

“The Champions Awards are an opportunity to recognize the members who make the World Trade Centers Association network such a tremendous resource for local businesses and communities, and for each other,” said WTCA CEO Scott Ferguson. “Not only will the program recognize our Association’s ‘champions,’ but it will also help provide visibility to the important and innovative work of our members that is driving the future of global trade and investment.”

WTCA members are invited to nominate fellow members — be it an individual staff Member, or the entire team at a Member WTC — for their contributions in any of the following five categories, including:

• Champion Award for Connectivity: Member who most exemplifies the concept of connecting local businesses to global trade opportunities
• Champion Award for Reciprocity: Member who most exemplifies the concept of reciprocity and/or cooperation on joint projects
• Champion Award for Network Support: Member who most exemplifies the concept of helping fellow members with their challenges
• Champion Award for Sustainability: Member who most exemplifies action in one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Champion Award for Member of the Year: Member who most exemplifies the values, vision, mission, and goals of the Association

WTCA members will nominate potential honorees through a submission form, whereby they will provide a brief description of why a given WTC or staff person deserves to be recognized. Finalists will be announced in February 2020 and winners will be selected by a Board panel by March 1, 2020.

All winners will be honored onstage during the 2020 GA Gala in Taipei, and awarded a physical statuette along with a free registration for them and an accompanying guest to the subsequent 2021 GA in Accra, Ghana. They will also be individually profiled in a special “Champies” section in the WTCA publication, WTCA Meridian, and across the WTCA’s social media channels and Member e-blasts. Additionally, winners and finalists alike will be provided with marketing support to help drive awareness of their achievement. 

To stay up to date on the Champions Awards program, please follow the WTCA on social media using the hashtags #WTCAChampion and #WTCA50:

• Facebook: World Trade Centers Association

• Twitter: @WTCA

• LinkedIn: World Trade Centers Association

• YouTube: World Trade Centers Association

World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
Alex Brown
+1 212 432 2605
abrown@wtca.org

About the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 325 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” 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.

NEW YORK, NY – November 13, 2019 – The World Trade Centers Association Foundation (WTCAF) is proud to announce its second “Peace Through Trade” competition, a program designed to identify and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders from the 325-plus cities where a WTC is located. Members from the World Trade Centers Association’s (WTCA) global network spanning more than 100 countries have the opportunity to submit projects from local students to compete in the program. 

The winning team will be awarded with an all-expenses paid trip to Taipei for at least two of the team members, to attend the WTCA’s 2020 General Assembly in March of that year — the association’s annual gathering of more than 500 representatives from member WTCS, foreign trade delegations, and local companies. They will have the opportunity to present their idea on-stage and be honored by attendees during the event.

“The Peace Through Trade competition is a unique opportunity to not only encourage the next generation of trade and investment change-makers, but to give them a global platform to communicate and further develop their ideas,” said Catherine Lee, Chair of the WTCAF Board of Directors. “The program provides these bright, entrepreneurial students with access to a global professional network of key leaders, and the opportunity to share their vision with the WTCA community.”

For the inaugural competition in 2019, WTC Dublin submitted the winning project, Moyo Nua, a student-led project aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural practices of developing countries. Founded by students Jack O’Connor, Catherine Hallinan, Seamus Hurley and Aoife Hand, Moyo Nua designed an ergonomic seed planter for smallholder farmers in Malawi made from local materials. The team presented their project onstage at the WTCA’s 2019 General Assembly in Querétaro, Mexico.

Representatives from WTC member cities are encouraged to nominate student teams from their region to present original projects, products, or other innovative ideas that exemplify and promote social innovation and sustainability through collaboration, fair trade, and ethical international business practices. Projects must also address at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as no poverty, zero hunger, and sustainable cities and communities.

Interested WTC members are encouraged to participate in the Peace Through Trade competition the submission period for which runs from October 7, 2019 through January 31, 2020. Interested WTCA Members and student teams can contact the foundation at foundation@wtca.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

World Trade Centers Association
Alex Brown
Phone: +1 212 432 2605
Email: abrown@wtca.org

Allison + Partners
Eliot Marcus
Phone: +1 617 401 2277
Email: WTCA@allisonpr.com

About World Trade Centers Association Foundation
The World Trade Centers Association Foundation (WTCAF) is a private, U.S. tax-exempt, charitable organization (501c) founded in 2008, the mission of which is to conduct programs that promote social welfare in the pursuit and support of activities that foster peace and social stability. The WTCAF makes a difference by encouraging a better understanding of international trade; promoting and developing sustainable farming, energy, and transportation and trading activities; elevating the standard of living in less developed countries; and promoting ethical international business practices. To learn more visit www.wtcafoundation.org.

About World Trade Centers Association
The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 325 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” 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.

Suzhou, China (November 12, 2019) — The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) — a global network of more than 325 highly-connected, mutually supportive businesses and organizations — has announced that its China Summit/Chinese-Speaking Regional Meeting took place in Suzhou, China on November 6-8, 2019. Held annually, the Regional Meeting is a three-day event that takes place each year in a different World Trade Center (WTC) within the Chinese-speaking region. More than 60 delegates from 23 WTCs, as well as government officials, experts, speakers, global companies, and local businesses attended this year’s meeting.

Hosted by WTC Suzhou, the first full day of the meeting on November 7 featured a special program with the theme of “Towards the Future of New Building Economy.” Speakers from WTC Suzhou, J.P. Morgan, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), China World Trade Center Hotel and Property Management, Beijing Yachu Technology, SpacesForce, World Trade Center Taipei, and WTCA gathered and shared their expertise and insights on property trends, technologies, investment, innovative operation, and digital management. Mr. Scott Ferguson, CEO of WTCA, delivered a speech on “WTC Facility Development in the Digital Era.” Ms. Catherine Lee, WTCA Board Member, introduced the WTCA Foundation which she chairs and WTC Taipei gave an update on the 2020 WTCA General Assembly. Suzhou local government authorities were also present to introduce the Suzhou economy and policies for trade.

On November 8, Mr. Ferguson, provided updates on the association’s current work, followed by an Asia Pacific Region Update from Mr. Scott Wang, WTCA Vice President of Asia Pacific and a WTC Flash Panel session featuring updates from WTC Macau, WTC Harbin, WTC Shenyang, WTC Chongqing, WTC Tianjin and WTC Suzhou. In the afternoon, the participants toured the Suzhou Hi-speed Railway New City and the 2nd annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. Chaired by WTC Harbin, the WTCA Agriculture Member Advisory Council (AgMAC) hosted an exhibit on behalf of the association during the CIIE. The WTCA also supported a major forum of CIIE titled “Lujiazui: China Strength, Global Access,” in which Mr. Ferguson delivered a keynote speech.

Participating WTCs at this year’s Regional Meeting included WTC Atlanta, WTC Beijing, WTC China (Beijing), WTC Chongqing, WTC Hangzhou, WTC Harbin, WTC Jinzhong, WTC Kunming, WTC Macau, WTC Nanchang, WTC Nanjing, WTC Nanning, WTC Ningbo, WTC Quanzhou, WTC Shanghai, WTC Shenyang, WTC Singapore, WTC Suzhou, WTC Taipei, WTC Tianjin, WTC Xiamen, WTC Xi’an, and WTC Zhengzhou.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

WTCA Beijing Representative Office
Scott Wang
+86 10 8500 3230
swang@wtca.org

World Trade Centers Association
Alex Brown
+1 212 432 2605
abrown@wtca.org

About World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 325 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” 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.

NEW YORK, NY – October 8, 2019 – Today, the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) announced its inaugural “Understanding Through Trade” Global Mural Competition. The competition asks World Trade Centers (WTCs) around the world to work with local artists to visually define the cultural understanding and connection that results from global trade. The deadline for entries is February 7, 2020, and four winners will be chosen and awarded a cash prize at the association’s 51st General Assembly (GA) in Taipei in March 2020

As part of the association’s year-long anniversary campaign celebrating “A Half Century of Global Trade Connectivity,” the WTCA has invited its members to each submit one entry of original artwork from a local artist or student that visually defines the cultural understanding and connection that results from trade between diverse peoples and nations. The WTCA will then physically produce the digitally created art and put it on display at the association’s upcoming GA Gala in March 2020.

“The ‘Understanding Through Trade’ Global Mural Competition is a creative way to celebrate this milestone and strengthen the deep ties between members in our global network and the communities they serve,” said WTCA CEO Scott Ferguson. “Throughout history, art has been a medium of expression that transcends borders and creates understanding between people from varying backgrounds. We believe trade has a similar impact, forging connections between countries and bringing the world closer together. We hope this competition sheds a light on what this global connection means to all of us.”

WTCs around the world are now looking for local artists to submit for the competition and to visually help represent the community’s unique culture and contributions to the global trade ecosystem. During the GA, WTCA members, delegates, and invited guests will have the opportunity to vote for their four favorite entries. Following the competition, the artists of the four submissions that garner the most votes will each win a cash prize of US $1,500 and the murals will be featured in WTCA marketing campaigns throughout 2020-2021, with artist attribution.

Interested artists should contact their local WTC for more information. To find your local WTC, visit https://www.wtca.org/locations. Once submitted, winning artists will be notified soon after the General Assembly Gala on March 3, 2020.

Artists may also follow the WTCA on social media using the hashtag #WTCA50 and #WTCAGlobalMuralCompetition:
• Facebook: World Trade Centers Association
• Twitter: @WTCA
• LinkedIn: World Trade Centers Association
• YouTube: World Trade Centers Association

MEDIA CONTACT:

World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
Alex Brown
+1 212 432 2605
abrown@wtca.org

About the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 325 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” 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.

NEW YORK, NY – September 30, 2019 – The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) — a network of more than 325 highly-connected, mutually supportive businesses and organizations intimately involved in grassroots trade and investment in nearly 100 countries — will host its 2019 Member Seminar in New York City from October 6-8. The event will gather approximately 150 leaders from World Trade Centers (WTCs) across the globe, as well as renowned experts for a variety of networking opportunities, workshops, strategy sessions and keynote panels.

“The need for connection in global trade is always top-of-mind for our association,” said WTCA CEO Scott Ferguson. “The Member Seminar brings together decision makers and thought leaders with diverse perspectives to discuss strategies for uncovering mutual opportunities, and navigating what is an increasingly turbulent and uncertain environment for trade and investment.”

Standout programming during the two-day event includes a keynote panel titled “The New Normal: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?” featuring:

• Craig Allen, President of the U.S.-China Business Council, former United States Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and China, US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
• Rolf Alter, former Chief of Staff to the Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), member of the Advisory Board of the Global Risk Report of the World Economic Forum, and Senior Fellow at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin
• Karen Tramontano, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Star Strategies, and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff to President William Jefferson Clinton

The remainder of the agenda for this “un-conference” features highly collaborative working sessions on joint projects to strengthen trade relations among members and the local companies they represent. Each intricately woven into the business communities, and trade and investment ecosystems of their respective cities, WTCA members are experts in their own right on the grassroots implications of macro trade policy, bringing together the unique perspectives of nearly 150 attendees from around the globe.

To learn more read the 2019 WTCA Trade and Investment Report , or read the collection of select WTCA member case stories.

Featured sponsors of the 2019 WTCA Member Seminar include Tourism Vancouver and Vancouver Hotel Destination Association (VHDA). The event is open to WTCA members, with select sessions open to interested media. 

For more information on the event, please visit https://events.bizzabo.com/WTCAMS2019/home.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

World Trade Centers Association
Alex Brown
Phone: +1 212 432 2605
Email: abrown@wtca.org

Allison + Partners
Eliot Marcus
Phone: +1 617 401 2277
Email: WTCA@allisonpr.com

About World Trade Centers Association
The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 325 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” 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.