The World Trade Centers Association Reveals Inaugural Champions Awards Winners

NEW YORK, NY – November 19, 2020 – Today, the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) announced the winners of the 2020 WTCA Champions Awards, its inaugural awards program designed to recognize outstanding contributions from member World Trade Centers (WTCs) within the WTCA network, and in their local and global communities. The association’s global network is comprised of more than 320 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries.

Part of the association’s 50th Anniversary celebration, honorees were nominated by their fellow WTCA members, while winners were selected by a select panel for their contributions to the network across four categories — Connectivity, Reciprocity, Network Support and Sustainability — and the coveted Member of the Year award exemplifying the values, vision, mission and goals of the association.

• Champion Award for Member of the Year: Pamela Pascual of WTC Metro Manila for representing the WTCA brand effectively, providing brand exposure to thousands of businesses entering its expo space and availing themselves of the multiple services that the WTC Metro Manila team provides.
• Champion Award for Connectivity: Cheryl Smith of WTC Las Vegas for offering incredible VIP benefits to all WTCs and their delegates at the world's largest consumer electronics show, CES® in Las Vegas.
• Champion Award for Reciprocity: WTC Dublin for offering B2B matchmaking services and preparing their member SMEs to go global, ensuring benefits of the business transaction are properly reciprocated.
• Champion Award for Network Support: Karen Gerwitz of WTC Denver for sharing her knowledge and experience with her fellow WTC members, and making important contributions to the network through her work in the WTCA Member Advisory Council - Conferences & Exhibitions and Trade Services.
• Champion Award for Sustainability: Evert Jan Schouwstra of WTC Leeuwarden for inspiring WTCs and companies from across the world to learn more about The Netherlands' strength in the following Sustainable Goals: clean water and sanitation, good health and well-being, industry innovation and infrastructure, and gender equality, among others.

“The inaugural Champions Awards winners embody all that our association has represented over the past 50+ years. They are a true resource for not only their peers, but also the local business ecosystems and communities in which they operate,” stated John E. Drew, Chair, Board of Directors of the World Trade Centers Association. “On behalf of the organization, I am pleased to extend my congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees. The power of our network stems from the dynamic engagement of our diverse member base, and together, we are able to make a positive impact on trade and investment on a global scale.”