Philadelphia— A World-Renowned Region and the International Gateway of the Mid-Atlantic Region

Greater Philadelphia is poised to draw the world's attention for numerous international events in 2026, from the World Cup to the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. It is crucial that we showcase Philadelphia’s rich history and vibrant culture, invigorate our economy, and bolster local businesses by showing the world that we are open for business.?

In March, I had the privilege of leading a delegation to Bengaluru, India, for the World Trade Centers Association 's (WTCA) 54th Annual Global Business Forum, hosted by our partners at World Trade Center - Bengaluru | Chennai | Kochi . Hoping to impress, we assembled a delegation, including Steven Scott Bradley of OneDigital, Brian K. Oglesby of EMSDC, and Katherine Skopp from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development , as well as members of our own internal trade team.?

Our goal was to engage the other World Trade Centers and strengthen our international relationships, ensuring a future of prosperous connections and collaborative ventures. Our peers from World Trade Centers across the globe knew of Philadelphia—Rocky, Ben Franklin’s kite, and Cheesesteaks—but few knew about our world-class Eds & Meds, our emerging Life Sciences sector, or any of the other growing industries that make Philadelphia—in my opinion—one of the most attractive destinations for trade and investment.?

I hope we all agree that investing in Philadelphia’s businesses and cultivating international relationships will not only drive economic growth and create sustainable jobs, but in turn, those effects will build a more equitable city for future Philadelphians. By positioning Greater Philadelphia at the heart of global economic dialogues, we can guarantee that the benefits of our city’s success reverberate throughout every neighborhood in Philadelphia.??

As we returned from India, energized by the opportunity to share our city with peers from around the world, I felt it was imperative that we look towards 2026 — a year that will bring numerous opportunities to expose new markets to our wonderful city. At the WTCGP, our focus extends beyond attracting visitors two years from now; we must also aim to engage potential new partners for trade and investment. With help from all our partners, it is imperative that we highlight Philadelphia as the “International Gateway of the Mid-Atlantic Region,” increasing our efforts to make the city and region a keystone of opportunity and inclusivity globally.??

We went to India to promote Philadelphia amongst our peer World Trade Centers - what we returned with is a clarity of the opportunity in front of us. My team and I are committed to leveraging these international events' momentum to propel Philadelphia forward into the global scene, positioning it as the hub of international business development. We hope that our neighbors will join us.?