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What is a World Trade Center (WTC)?
A WTC connects its business community to the people, the companies, the data and the government agencies that make up the fabric of global commerce.


As branded facilities, WTCs are landmarks in the regions that they serve.  They are symbols of the international connectedness and competitiveness of a community.  As real estate projects, WTCs are high profile developments that convey a premier international business address and are highly desirable locations for business tenants to occupy.


As economic development platforms, WTCs raise the international profile of a city or region.  They represent a global network of active and planned locations in 330+ cities in 100 countries that work to create competitive advantage for businesses conducting international trade.  The WTC brand is known around the world and, after 42 years, the WTCA is committed to building the value and effectiveness of that brand for the hundreds of communities and thousands of internationally active businesses that have benefitted from the power of this unique and growing icon of international trade.


By what criteria is a building judged to be awarded World Trade Center status?
WTCs are licensed facilities, for which a license application must be submitted, and vetted and approved by the WTCA Board of Directors.  The aforementioned characteristics are important factors that the WTCA evaluates very carefully before authorizing a World Trade Center for any community.

 

How does a World Trade Center branded facility compare to other non-WTC branded buildings?
Independent studies commissioned three times over the past decade confirm that WTC-branded facilities typically generate higher than average per square meter lease rates than non-WTC branded buildings.  Furthermore, these unique international facilities often deliver higher than average occupancy rates than their non-branded counterparts with it not being uncommon for there to be a waiting list of companies wishing to be located in a WTC.


What difference will the presence of a World Trade Center make to a city and a region?
The existence of a WTC in a city sends a very clear message to the rest of the world that “This City is open for business and the world is welcome to come here, to meet with and forge partnerships for cooperation with local businesses.”  A WTC is a regional resource to local businesses they compete for overseas business.


What are the main activities of the WTCA?
WTCA Headquarters in New York City is comprised of team of international trade professionals that manage day-to-day operations of the WTCA as it serves 330+ member World Trade Centers in 100 countries.  Focus is on managing and building the WTCA brand, and working with WTCA’s intellectual property attorneys to protect our name and service marks around the world.


They also provide support for a variety of member matters, such as facilitating member-to-member cooperation and reciprocity, trade information research and dissemination, and coordination of training programs through Regional Meetings and annual events such as the General Assembly and Member Seminar training forum.




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WTCA Bylaw Amendment Approved

The WTCA’s Constitution & Bylaws were amended at the Sao Paulo General Assembly.  Our appreciation to all the Members who voted in person or by proxy. 

Click here to download the WTCA’s newly amended Bylaws.

 


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501(c)6 Status under US Internal Revenue Service Code


The World Trade Centers Association, Inc. is approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the USA as a tax exempt Business League under its code section 501(c)6. 

Read more: Tax status of the WTCA

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How can I promote my WTC's activities and events on the WTCA events blog and calendar? 

You can find more information about adding WTC events at this page.

 

 

How do I find out more about branding my WTC, WTCA branding guidelines and how to create a logo for my WTC?

You can find out more about the branding guidelines at this page. You may also email Maryann Kopfer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

You can create your own logo at the WTCA logobuilder  - wtc logo builder

 

How do I order membership cards for my WTC and our members?

You can order membership cards by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

 

How can I send a message to all WTC’s or to Regional WTC’s?

You can send an email to all WTC’s or to regional WTC’s through Maryann Kopfer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

 

How do I contact WTCA staff?

You can find contact information on this page: click here

 

 

What do I do if I see inappropriate use of the WTC logo or brand?

Please send an email to Scott Richie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

How can I submit an article or subscribe to/unsubscribe from the newsletter?
Please send an email to Maryann Kopfer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

 

Who can I contact about my WTC's current financial status including outstanding fees or dues owed?

Please send an email to YveRose Charles at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

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Vision

We continue to build a respected and valued brand that will be represented in all parts of the world by World Trade Centers. It shall be known for the quality of its trade services and prominent facilities. The World Trade Centers will be interconnected for the successful promotion of international trade and investment.

 

Mission

We foster a global World Trade Center network that enhances the brand and promotes prosperity through trade and investment.

 

History     

An Iconic Landmark is Born

The 1939 World's Fair in Queens, NY, named its grounds “world trade center” (Glanz & Lipton, 2003, p. 28)[1]. Under the Chairmanship of David Rockefeller, in 1959 the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association initiated a mission to construct a permanent building to serve as the gathering place for all agencies and players of what Mr. Rockefeller saw as a coming explosion in international trade. According to Glanz and Lipton (2003), this would be a place where:

 

The United States and foreign business and financial interests can meet to do business; where representatives of the United States and foreign governments are available for consultation and aid; and where facilities are available to expedite business transactions.


To finance and build such a project, the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association turned to the state agency, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to review the feasibility of such a project. On March 10, 1961 the Port Authority issued a report that endorsed the feasibility of the David Rockefeller vision and justified it as a viable public project because it would serve as a catalyst for business growth, and increase employment and net revenue to the city from augmented economic activity. This conclusion did not pass without fierce opposition from other stakeholders. These were mostly the merchants in the proposed area who were to be displaced. It took a US Supreme Court decision in November 1963 to reaffirm the public purpose nature of the project before the construction of the World Trade Center could eventually begin in downtown New York City. A young man celebrating his 40th birthday on February 12, 1962 was told by his boss, Mr. Austin Tobin: “You are going to build the trade center”. That young man was Mr. Guy Tozzoli (Glanz & Lipton, 2003, p. 98).

Read more: WTCA Vision, Mission and History

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