The annual WTCA GBF convenes WTCA members and their global networks, bringing together leaders from business, government, academia, and international organizations. This year, nearly 300 registrants representing 93 WTC businesses across 46 countries and territories have confirmed their participation. With the theme “Historic Foundations, Future Collaborations: Cultivating New Business Frontiers,” the Forum will feature diverse programming, including a keynote address by Josh Shapiro, positioning Philadelphia as a gateway for international business.
A featured discussion will include NBA Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Julius Erving, Pennsylvania State Representative Jordan Harris, and WTC Greater Philadelphia President & CEO Thomas Young, focusing on how cities build lasting economic power. Additional sessions include “Global Outlook: Navigating Trade and Investment Trends in 2026,” featuring Ken Levinson, CEO of the Washington International Trade Association (WITA), and “From Research to Global Markets: How ‘Eds & Meds’ Ecosystems Drive International Growth,” examining how universities, healthcare systems, and life-science institutions are powering global economic expansion.
The Forum will also launch the UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026, aimed at identifying and promoting scalable private-sector solutions contributing to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development within the Blue Economy. The WTCA Real Estate Summit will return for a second year, featuring sessions such as “Global Macro Trends: The State of Global Capital & Space,” with Juan Gallardo of Colliers International, and “Attracting Global Capital,” led by David J. Adelman of Darco Capital. The program will further include “Scaling the World Trade Center Model through Free Trade Zones,” with Martín Gustavo Ibarra of Araújo Ibarra & Asociados S.A and founding member of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO). The Summit is designed to provide practical insights into global capital flows and real estate investment opportunities.
WTCA Board Chair John E. Drew emphasized the significance of the Forum’s return, noting its timing as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary and highlighting the WTCA network as a trusted platform for fostering partnerships and navigating global economic uncertainty. Participants will gain access to B2B matchmaking through the WTCA B2Match platform, enabling direct engagement with potential business partners, investors, and distributors worldwide, while facilitating scheduled meetings, sessions, and local business tours.
Philadelphia, described as the Birthplace of America and the sixth-largest U.S. city, offers a dynamic business environment supported by strengths in healthcare, higher education, life sciences, manufacturing, technology, and finance. Its strategic location between New York City and Washington, D.C. reinforces its role as a hub for international trade and collaboration. Thomas Young underscored the city’s global appeal, highlighting its world-class universities, leading companies, and vibrant business community as key assets for Forum attendees.
The 2025 WTCA GBF in Marseille, France, drew over 400 attendees from more than 50 countries and territories, including nearly 120 WTC businesses, and featured more than 20 workshops, keynotes, panels, company tours, and over 500 B2B meetings. Building on this momentum, the 2026 Forum is positioned to catalyze long-term partnerships and unlock new global opportunities.
Top sponsors of the 2026 WTCA GBF include Fulton Bank, MFR Consultants, Inc., and White and Williams LLP. The four-day event stands as a pivotal platform for international collaboration, reinforcing Philadelphia’s status as a global business gateway while advancing the WTCA’s mission of fostering economic connectivity worldwide.
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