What is the World Trade Center Association?
The World Trade Centers Association stimulates trade and investment opportunities for commercial property developers, economic development agencies, and international businesses looking to connect globally and prosper locally.
The exclusive ‘World Trade Center’ and ‘WTC’ branded properties and trade service organizations are located in more than 90 countries and supported by 15,000 WTC professionals that deliver integrated, reciprocal resources to solve your business needs. World Trade Center Orlando is a member of the WTCA.
What is the World Trade Center Orlando?
The World Trade Center Orlando is a non-profit organization under section 501c6 of the Internal Revenue Code dedicated to assisting companies develop business and business partners around the world. The motto “we know people who know people around the world” aptly describes the vast resources WTCO brings to companies who want to maximize their profits by entering the international markets and developing systems to ease the import or export of products or services.
What is the World Trade Center Institute of Florida?
The World Trade Center Institute of Florida is part of the WTC Orlando and is an educational, non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Institute is dedicated to providing practical, real world business training to ensure that you and your employees remain current on all of the nuances of international trade. Our comprehensive seminars focus on realistic approaches and concrete explanations to a wide variety of international business subjects. In each session, local and nationally known experts delve into the most pressing and timely subjects in international trade.
How does the World Trade Center (WTC) differ from the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
These are two separate non-related organizations. The WTO is an international organization and is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established in the wake of the Second World War. With nation-states as its members, the WTO’s overriding objective is to help trade flow smoothly, freely, fairly and predictably through its involvement in:
- Administering trade agreements
- Acting as a forum for trade negotiations
- Settling trade disputes
- Reviewing national trade policies
- Assisting developing countries in trade policy issues, through technical assistance and training programs.
- Cooperating with other international organizations
For more information regarding the WTO, visit their website
How does the WTCO work with Enterprise Florida and the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development (OTTED)?
The WTCO and Enterprise Florida and the OTTED have worked together since 1992. The WTC’s programs and educational courses support the mission of the State’s international trade office and in turn, Enterprise Florida supports our programs and works closely with the WTC Orlando to bring focus to Orlando’s international business community. Established by the Florida General Assembly, the State’s ITO was given two goals:
- To promote the export of Florida goods and services
- Attract foreign investment that will create jobs for Floridians
By promoting Florida exports and attracting foreign investment, Enterprise helps to build Florida’s identity as an international business center, encouraging foreign buyers to look to Florida for products and services. Enterprise is available to the public and most services are rendered at no cost.Enterprise Florida is home to trade and investment specialists that offer a wide range of services to assist new and existing business of every size. Trade specialists counsel clients on Florida investment opportunities, analyzing markets, determining export potential, identifying market entry strategies, providing market research, locating potential distributors or agents and working with companies on international trade shows. For more information, click the links to take you to the Enterprise Florida and the OTTED websites.
How does the WTCO work with the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC)?
The WTCO and the Orlando office of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) have worked together to help Florida exporters for over two decades. The Orlando USEAC is part of an international network of global professionals with 165 offices in 82 countries throughout the world. The trade specialists at the USEAC focus on trade industries rather than global regions. They assist companies by offering:
- Gold Key, which arranges one-on-one appointments with pre-screened business contacts in a targeted export market, independent of a trade mission
- Market research answers inquiries about specific markets and the interest in your product or service
- Trade missions that arrange face-to-face meetings with pre-screened business partners and include country briefings, logistical support, follow-up counseling and Industry sector analyses
What are the benefits of WTCO Membership and how do I become a member?
As a non-profit membership association, the WTC Orlando offers members priority access to international business training, global expertise, and networking connections both locally and through World Trade Centers around the world. Members also gain free access to International Business Resources, Publications, and International Networking Events. Most of the events and lectures given by the World Trade Center Orlando are offered to members at a discounted rate. For more information on how to become a member, including membership packages and pricing, please visit our Membership page.
How do I become a member of the WTC Orlando?
Membership is available and accessed under Membership: Join. Select your membership level and enroll using PayPal or credit card. Benefits include reciprocal membership in WTC organizations world wide.
What services does the WTCO provide and how much do they cost?
The WTC Orlando provides a myriad of different services to Members and non-members. Some services we are pleased to provide free of charge to our Members. Other services carry a fee for Members and non-members. Free Member services include Certificates of Origin and Certificates of Free Sale, Research Inquiries, networking events, and WTC Orlando Membership Directories. Discounted services include WISER Trade Statistic Reports, Roundtables, training programs and meeting rooms. For a full listing of services and pricing quotes, please contact the WTC Orlando at (407) 894-5740. Also, see our Membership page.
What are the costs of the seminars and courses offered and what are the accepted methods of payment?
The cost for each course varies but generally ranges from as low as $60 for some of our basic classes to $300 for some of the more advanced or multi-day seminars. To see the pricing for each class, please visit the Events page to see specific events. Pre-payment or payment at the event is required for all events and lectures. On the event page you can follow the ‘PayPal link’ under the event to pay for the event. If registering online or feel more comfortable giving your information over the phone to the WTC Orlando, please call the WTC Orlando at 407-894-5740 with your credit card information.
I’m a Member, how do I access the “Members Only Resources”?
Give us a call or send us an email confirming membership and requesting our website password. We will give you access to our online trade resources, monthly newsletters, and current members list.
Where can I find information on the WTC Orlando Internship Program?
The World Trade Center Orlando hires unpaid interns for the fall and spring semesters. The applicant should be in undergraduate or graduate school, and studying International Trade, Economics, or Business. More information on the internship, the dates, and the application requirements can be found on our Internship page.
Where can I find information on Hotels, Restaurants, and Things To Do in Orlando?
The Orlando/Orange County Convention Visitors Bureau website provides detailed information on events in Orlando, our World Wide attractions and theme parks, hotel information, lists of things to do, dining suggestions and more. They have also included available discounts and coupons on hotels and restaurants.
The Downtown Orlando website provides visitors with a listing of events and attractions, areas for shopping and dining, and information on parking and hotels in Downtown Orlando. From here, you can navigate to find information on different parts of downtown.