World Trade Center Antwerp Blog

Trade Mission to Antwerp 6-8 May 2026

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:28:34 GMT

Learn from those who lead the market is the fastest way to grow

The Trade Mission to Antwerp is from 6-8 May 2026.

Who this mission is for:

It is for companies that:
– already operate with maturity
– seek strategic partners
– want a structured presence in Europe
– understand that scale reduces risk

This mission is not for those who want to “test” the market.

You will visit the Antwerp ecosystem: hightech, medtech, chemistry, port and diamonds.

Belgium is a natural hub for European expansion, at the political, economic, and logistical center of the continent.

If your ambition is international, the next step can start here.
If Europe is part of your growth strategy, this is the next step.

Learn more about the program at the link: https://businessclub.wtclisboa.com/missao-belgica

Global Business Forum 2026

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 21:48:56 GMT

Make the 2026 WTCA GBF Part of Your New Year's Resolution

As the new year begins, many leaders take a moment to reflect on how their organization approaches growth. One simple question often comes up: are we being reactive — or proactive?

A more proactive approach starts with being in the right rooms, having the right conversations, and learning from peers who are facing similar challenges and opportunities.

That’s where the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) comes in.

Taking place April 19-22, 2026 in Philadelphia, the WTCA GBF brings together business leaders who are actively focused on growth, partnership-building, and global engagement. In fact, two out of three attendees come to the GBF with the goal of forming strategic partnerships and expanding their international networks . These are decision-makers who aren’t just attending; they’re looking to connect, collaborate, and explore new opportunities.

As you plan where to invest your time and energy in 2026, consider making the WTCA GBF part of your New Year’s resolution. Do not miss the opportunity to make 2026 a more proactive and productive year. Register now! Early-bird registration is open through January 31, 2026.

More information: https://www.wtcphila.org/gbf2026 .

SAVE Y SEAT

Exciting New Partnership between WTCA and International Trade Administration (ITA)

491504_wtcantwerp.be (Peter Nuiten) — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:25:15 GMT

Exciting New Partnership between WTCA and International Trade Administration (ITA)

We are pleased to share that the WTCA signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) yesterday with the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) to formalize its cooperation in facilitating and promoting global trade by combining the strengths of both organizations' global networks.

The signing took place at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (WTC Washington, D.C.) between Arun Venkataraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, and Robin van Puyenbroeck, WTCA Executive Director-Business Development, with 15 representatives and guests in attendance.

The MOA aims to further drive corporate investment and trade opportunities for U.S. companies seeking to increase exports and imports, while offering the ITA a platform to communicate about investment and trade opportunities in the U.S. to the WTCA's global network of companies.

Benefits of the Partnership:

· Running a webinar series that offers a framework on international trade best practices

· Organizing inbound and outbound trade missions

· Mutually offering service support for inbound and outbound trade missions to the members of each of the parties

· Exchanging networking opportunities that will benefit WTCA members located in the U.S.

Upcoming Webinar Series -- "Make Trade Work":

One of the first engagements following the establishment of the MOA will be the rollout of a webinar series entitled "Make Trade Work."

The series is a joint initiative to help educate and increase global trade and investment opportunities. The first of the five webinars, hosted over the course of a year, will take place on Thursday, September 29: “Protecting Your Business Interests: Corporate Espionage, Global Security and Compliance.” Please note this webinar is only available to U.S.-based companies.

Future topics are available to a global audience and include:

· Planning and Maximizing Trade Missions -- October 3, 2022

· Managing Global Supply Chain -- February 9, 2023

· Attaining Global Talent and Diversity Inclusion -- May 18, 2023

· Grants and Trade Finance -- September 7, 2023

Moment of sadness - In memoriam 9/11.

491504_wtcantwerp.be (Peter Nuiten) — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 19:09:51 GMT

Moment of sadness - In memoriam 9/11

"Today, we want to take a moment to not only reflect on and remember those who were affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but to give thanks to our Members who form our special family.

Our global network has come together again and again to support one another during uncertain times and to reaffirm our mission of peace and prosperity through trade and investment. It is because of what you do on a daily basis that the World Trade Center brand showcases its true power, resilience and unity to bring opportunity and success to local communities around the globe. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and Headquarters in New York, thank you for your engagement, active participation and commitment to our association."

John E. Drew,

Chair WTCA Board of Directors

CARICOMS eerste World Trade Center opent in februari in Guyana

491504_wtcantwerp.be (Peter Nuiten) — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 06:21:40 GMT

CARICOMS eerste World Trade Center in Guyana

Het eerste World Trade Center dat in de Caribische Gemeenschap (CARICOM) wordt opgericht, komt in Guyana te staan. Als alles volgens planning verloopt zal het centrum in februari 2023 worden geopend, meldt Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), het lokale bedrijf dat het centrum naar het buurland van Suriname brengt.

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Ankara: A onestopshop business hub

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:28:15 GMT

Green light for a futureproof flight

WTC Ankara is located in the capital of Turkey. Through wide relationships with both private and government institutions, it serves all the 320 WTCs around the world and their members as a onestopshop business hub. WTC Ankara provides internationally standardized consultancy services to foreign SMEs and large enterprises in easing their entrance to the Turkish market and vice versa.

We are proud to be the leader in promoting eco-friendly, clean and green business practices in our region. We are committed to improve the environmental quality of our society by partnering with green businesses and ecological communities to create an eco-friendly and clean environment to live and work for future generations.Under the scope of our green business approach, we are providing professional consultancy services to the largest wind turbine manufacturer in Turkey to export their turbines into the US, Europe and Africa markets.

Trieste: Business hub for international connections

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:18:53 GMT

An interactive international intersection

Trieste is a lively city, with other popular destinations such as Venice and Ljubljana ánd numerous trade opportunities within short and easy reach. The local WTC, situated in Trieste’s premier hotel, the Savoia Excelsior Palace, is a well-recognized business hub that facilitates two-way trade for local and foreign Members and clients and attracts foreign investments.

The (customs free) Port of Trieste is the beating heart of vibrant and varied maritime activities. Trieste, located on an international section that connects Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, is strategically positioned as the gateway to Central and Eastern Europe for international trade and commerce. The proximity to key European markets, on-dock rail service, and multi-faceted cargo handling expertise places Trieste among the major trade hubs on the continent.

MyNet, the App for the WTCs network

Coming from a need of WTC Trieste and developed during the lockdown in the first semester of 2020, the App MyNet has been developed. MyNet allows an efficient management of communication and sharing of opportunities within a referenced and monitored business community. This ‘Trieste Tool’ will be extended to the entire WTC Network, serving and connecting Members at global level.

www.wtctrieste.com

WTC Academy

491504_wtcantwerp.be (Peter Nuiten) — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 10:25:14 GMT

WTC Academy is alive & kicking!

Na maandenlang hoopvol wachten organiseert WTC Antwerp in het najaar de keynotes met sprekers Jan Vermeiren, Chantal Smedts, Bart De Clerck en Sofie Geeroms. Van social media tot teamspirit en time management, het komt allemaal aan bod. Schrijf je snel in! www.wtcantwep.be/agenda

Hoe de vibe van je team verhogen?

In onzekere tijden, daalt de vibe. Jan Vermeiren, oprichter van The Compassionate Leader en auteur van het gelijknamige boek, helpt je die tendens om te keren.

Ontdek waarom samenwerkingen niet optimaal verlopen, doorbreek weerstand bij verandering, leer over de vier verschillende vibes en begeleid je teams op de juiste manier naar de juiste vibe.

Neem alvast een kijkje: www.thecompassionateleader.org .

Wanneer? Donderdag 16 september, vanaf 18.30u.
Waar? WTC Lindner Hotel & City Lounge Antwerp, Lange Kievitstraat 125, Antwerpen.

Schrijf je hier in:

Priority & Time Management

Altijd te druk? Een eindeloze takenlijst? Last van uitstelgedrag?
Word baas over je agenda én je eigen leven!

Chantal Smedts, zaakvoerder van Qlick, Master Certified Coach en gastdocent bij EHSAL, maakt je wegwijs in de methodes van effectief time management en helpt je meer ruimte te creëren.

Vanuit haar rol als coach en communicatiespecialist, begeleidt Chantal mensen naar een gelukkiger en productiever zakelijk en privéleven. Met een bloeiende zaak, vijf boeken, een actief sociaal leven en een passie voor goede doelen, is goed time management een tweede natuur geworden.

Wanneer? Donderdag 21 oktober 2021, vanaf 18.30u.
Waar? WTC Lindner Hotel & City Lounge Antwerp, Lange Kievitstraat 125, Antwerpen.

Hoe succesvol twitteren als ondernemer?

Wat hebben Geert Noels, Marc Coucke, Eden Hazard en Paus Franciscus I gemeen? Zij zijn allemaal actief op Twitter. Bart De Clerck, die een boek schreef over het sociale netwerk, leidt je met tal van verhalen en praktische tips rond in dit krachtige kanaal, dat zakelijk zeer zinvol blijkt.

Bart runt in Antwerpen het communicatiebureau Com-Fort en specialiseert zich in mediarelaties, crisiscommunicatie, mediatraining en social media. Hij is auteur van de boeken “Alles in Twitterland” en “De rest is parking - Waarom de Antwerpenaren zo Antwerps zijn”.

Wanneer? Donderdag 18 november, vanaf 18.30u.
Waar? WTC Lindner Hotel & City Lounge Antwerp, Lange Kievitstraat 125, Antwerpen.

E-commerce in tijden van corona: van disruptie naar acceleratie

Het bedrijfsleven kreeg rake klappen toen corona uithaalde. Onder impuls van de noden in het nieuwe normaal schreven bedrijven een toekomstbestendig succesverhaal, met fysieke faciliteiten en onmisbare onlinediensten als complementaire klantgerichte hoofdrolspelers.

Dynamische duizendpoot Sofie Geeroms staat sinds 2018 aan het roer van BeCommerce, een solide schip dat zich door corona tot wendbare speedboat ontpopte. Als ondernemer en investeerder mag én kan je die boot niet missen: met enthousiasme en de gave van het woord verwelkomt Sofie je graag ‘aan boord’.

Wanneer? Donderdag 16 december 2021, vanaf 18.30u.
Waar? WTC Lindner Hotel & City Lounge Antwerp, Lange Kievitstraat 125, Antwerpen.

Expanding the Reach of the WTCA’s Network across Europe

491504_wtcantwerp.be (Peter Nuiten) — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:25:22 GMT

Expanding the Reach of the WTCA’s Network across Europe

Anaïs Jan has recently joined the WTCA team as the new Sales Coordinator for Europe, operating from Madrid, Spain. WTC today virtually sat down with Anaïs.

“WTC is so much more than a building.”

Anaïs Jan has recently joined the WTCA team as the new Sales Coordinator for Europe, operating from Madrid, Spain. WTCtoday virtually sat down with Anaïs.

“When I arrived in Colombia in 2015, I got introduced to the WTCA and Carlos Ronderos, the WTCA Regional Director of Latin America. After relocating back to Europe in Madrid, I worked as an independent Business Development Consultant, working closely with Fairhomes (WTC Gibraltar) and various Colombian companies on business development and strategic alliances across both Europe and Africa.

I really wanted to go back to working with the WTCA. The Association is one of a kind and has a huge potential for growth, which I am now partly responsible for”, stated Anaïs.

Broadening WTCA’s footprint

Looking forward, the WTCA’s main objective is to strengthen and expand the network in Western Europe in countries that have been underrepresented so far, such as the UK, Germany, Belgium and Spain. In her new role, Anaïs Jan will be working closely with all stakeholders. Her focus will be on broadening the WTCA’s footprint and on business development with partners such as airports, Chambers of Commerce, commercial real estate developers, consulting companies, free zones, governments, investment attraction agencies, science parks, trade development agencies and universities.

“We want to emphasize and leverage the incredible diversity in our network. Our WTCs are true beehives of economic activity, hence I will be on the lookout for cities in transformation that are focused on trade and interested in attracting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), talent and investment: the connectivity with WTCA’s global network will provide them with great added value”, stated Anaïs. “WTC is so much more than a building: the amazing network of people behind it makes it so special and resilient.”

B2B matchmaking

“As a scoop, one feature we are introducing at our General Assembly in April is an Artificial Intelligence-driven B2B matchmaking platform, where all our Members and their customers, tenants and business partners will be able to search for business matches on a global scale, with the matchmaking driven by an algorithm. Stay tuned”, said Anaïs Jan in closing. (more information about the WTCA and its network throughout Europe: https://www.wtca.org/locations/map/europe ).

Setting the Stage for WTCA Members to Thrive

491504_wtcantwerp.be (Peter Nuiten) — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 13:33:11 GMT

Setting the Stage for WTCA Members to Thrive

Crystal Edn, Member Engagement Manager at the WTCA, explains how a patchwork of NYC experiences allows her to successfully develop programs and resources for the WTCA’s 320+ members.

A big bite of the Big Apple

Chrystal Edn: “My career path has been unconventional. For over 15 years, my days were spent in sales and the non-profit sector, while my nights and weekends were devoted to working in NYC theatre. Before coming to the WTCA, I spent nearly a decade managing a portfolio of blood drives, creating marketing pieces and delivering speeches to convince New Yorkers to donate blood.” Edn’s ability to successfully motivate her largely corporate clientele to give back to their community was evidenced in her presentation, titled "A Sweet and Salty Balance: Blending Blood Center Needs with Corporate Clients", about optimizing the relationship between corporate clients and non-profits.

MAC on track

Today, Edn relies on her skills as a director in NYC theatre in her work with the WTCA Member Advisory Councils (MACs). The MACs were developed in 2018 as a vehicle for members to share best practices and to stimulate business partnerships between WTCs and their business networks.

“I was instantly drawn to the passion of our members, and I knew I could ‘set the stage’ for their success. Directing a play is about defining your vision for a script and guiding each team member (designers, actors, etc.) to use their individual expertise to collectively tell the same story. Just recently, the trade services MAC launched a workshop series to teach other members how to develop their own virtual trade mission programs. The MACs continue to be a driving force for the association."

General Assembly (GA) Week

Edn excitedly turned the conversation to an upcoming global event. Earlier today, the WTCA opened registration for its 2021 General Assembly (GA) Week. “The April 26-30 event is a tremendous opportunity for businesses,” said Edn. The GA will feature livestream programming, as well as a new approach to B2B networking using AI-powered matchmaking. “We are a diverse global network. Finding business prospects at a virtual event— or even at an in-person event— can be incredibly difficult. We are fully committed to embracing and to leveraging new technologies. At this year’s GA, an algorithm will allow attendees to efficiently and effectively connect with business prospects around the world.” Because the association is invested in providing new levels of connection, tickets for the GA are complimentary for WTCs and their business networks.

To learn more about the 2021 WTCA General Assembly, visit https://events.bizzabo.com/WTCAGA2021 .

WTC Gibraltar

491504_wtcantwerp.be (Peter Nuiten) — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 12:06:31 GMT

WTC Gibraltar

Gibraltar’s gorgeous WTC was completed in February 2017.

Solid as a ‘Rock’

Gibraltar’s gorgeous WTC was completed in February 2017. The brand new building is located in the North District of Gibraltar, next to the Ocean Village marina and accommodates grade A office space, networking spaces, restaurants and cafés. The relatively recent WTC is closely connected to WTC London and as such significantly expanding the range of services. That ‘London link’ is of a more general nature: though situated at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula as Europe’s attractive appendix, Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory.

Best of both worlds

Gibraltar is a unique entity, that harmonizes a British brain with a Southern soul. WTC Gibraltar is putting strong effort to turn upcoming Brexit into a ‘Nexit’: as a resilient organization with a futureproof philosophy, they will do everything they can to be a gateway from the EU to the UK and vice versa. With Gibraltar’s most famous attraction within walking distance, the local WTC is solid as a ‘Rock’.
Due to this particular position, Gibraltar certainly will be a place to consider for business opportunities. The local market is focused towards online gaming, financial services and insurance. The wonderful weather is a big bonus.