The World Trade Centers Association (also abbreviated as: WTCA) founded in 1970, is a not-for-profit, non-political association dedicated to the establishment and effective operation of World Trade Centers (WTCs) as instruments for trade expansion representing 316 members in 91 countries. The WTCA is an unofficial umbrella trade association that unites corporations and government agencies in international trade. The WTCA's founding principles are:
- To encourage the expansion of world trade;
- To promote international business relationships and understanding among nations;
- To foster increased participation in world trade by industrializing nations;
- To create and encourage mutual assistance and cooperation among members; and
- To promote and further the concept of the World Trade Center.
The WTCA is governed by a 24-member international Board of Directors, composed of executives from WTCA members around the world, and elected by the membership. Eight permanent committees have been established to carry on the work of the Association in the following fields:
- Committee on Facilities and Functions
- Committee on International Relations and Development
- Committee on Planning and Finance
- Committee on Public Relations and Information
- Committee on Tourism, Hospitality and Cultural Exchange
- Committee on Trade Education, Training and Research
- Committee on Trade Fairs, Trade Marts and High Tech Parks
- Committee on WTC Standards and Quality
- Committee on Peace & Stability through trade
In December, 2008 WTCA Committee on Peace and Stability through Trade awarded its first Global Corporate Leadership award to Robert Thompson, Founder of CenTradeX, inc. Nashville, TN
The WTCA has more than 287 licensed world trade affiliates in 88 countries and more than 750,000 companies and individuals
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