The World Trade Centers Association, the international body that connects more than 300 World Trade Center locations in nearly 100 countries and territories, has appointed Annette Gregg as its chief executive officer. She is the first woman to lead the association in its 57-year history.
Gregg assumed her responsibilities on 5 October 2026 and will lead the organisation from its global headquarters at One World Trade Center in New York. Her appointment comes at a symbolic moment for the association, which recently returned its headquarters to the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan after an absence of 25 years.
The association, which owns the World Trade Center and WTC trademarks and licenses them to members around the world, describes its mission as connecting businesses globally. Its members range from landmark office complexes and exhibition centres to trade service organisations that help companies find partners, enter new markets and attract investment.
A career built on global associations
Gregg brings more than three decades of leadership experience across global associations, private enterprise and international business events. Most recently, she served as chief executive of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, known as SITE, a global association of about 3,700 members organised into 27 chapters. During her tenure there, according to the WTCA, she increased revenue by 160% over three years by diversifying income streams and grew membership by more than 70%.
Before SITE, she was chief revenue officer at Meeting Professionals International, one of the largest associations in the global meetings and events industry. In that role she was responsible for roughly 70% of the organisation's revenue and expanded the distribution of its products across Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Her work has been recognised within the industry. She was named the 2026 recipient of the Marin Bright Legacy Award for her contributions to SITE and to leadership in meetings and events, and was honoured at the 2026 Smart Women in Meetings Awards Gala.
What the board wants
John E. Drew, chair of the WTCA board, said Gregg brings the combination of strategic vision, financial acumen and global stakeholder engagement that the association needs. He pointed to her track record of strengthening international organisations and building connections across cultures, qualities particularly relevant to a network whose members operate in very different economic and political environments.
Gregg's stated priorities are to strengthen member engagement, expand the global network and create new opportunities for members to connect around international trade and investment. As chief executive, she will work with the board, members and regional teams to advance the association's strategic and business goals.
Why the role matters
The World Trade Centers Association occupies an unusual position in the global economy. It is neither a government body nor a traditional trade association, but a federation of independently owned centres that share a brand and a mission. Many World Trade Centers act as hubs for local business communities, hosting trade missions, investment forums and exhibitions that connect small and mid-sized companies with international opportunities.
In an era of shifting trade patterns, that role has taken on new significance. Supply chains are being reconfigured as companies seek to diversify production away from single countries, governments are pursuing industrial policies to attract investment and new trade agreements are being negotiated across regions. For businesses navigating that landscape, especially smaller firms without large international departments, access to trusted networks and market intelligence is increasingly valuable.
Gregg's background in revenue diversification and membership growth is likely to be central to her mandate. Membership organisations in many sectors have faced pressure to demonstrate value in a digital age, when information and connections are more easily found online. Her record at SITE suggests an ability to develop new services and income streams while expanding a global membership base.
A milestone for women in global business leadership
Gregg's appointment adds to a series of firsts for women at the head of long-established institutions. In recent months, a number of organisations with histories stretching back decades or even centuries have appointed their first women chief executives, from consumer goods companies to financial institutions. Each appointment is a reminder of both the progress made and the distance still to travel.
Women remain significantly under-represented in the top roles of global business. Among the largest listed companies in the United States, Europe and Asia, women still account for a small minority of chief executives, though the number has been rising. The gap is often even wider in sectors associated with trade, logistics and finance, where leadership pipelines have historically been dominated by men.
Associations and member organisations can play an important role in changing that picture. By appointing women to their most senior roles, they influence the expectations of the industries they represent and create visible role models for younger professionals. Gregg's career, built largely in the events and associations sector where women have long been well represented in the workforce but less so at the very top, illustrates how leadership pathways are beginning to open.
Relevance for India and the diaspora
India is an important part of the World Trade Center network, with centres in several cities, including Mumbai and Bengaluru, that host trade delegations and business events. As India seeks to deepen its role in global supply chains and attract foreign investment, these centres serve as meeting points for Indian businesses and international partners.
For the Indian diaspora, many of whom work in international trade, finance and business services, the association's network offers a bridge between markets. Under new leadership, the WTCA's emphasis on member engagement and investment connections could create fresh opportunities for Indian centres and the companies they serve.
Leading from a symbolic address
There is a particular resonance in Gregg taking charge as the association re-establishes itself at the World Trade Center site, a quarter of a century after the attacks of September 2001. The return of the headquarters to Lower Manhattan represents continuity and renewal for an organisation whose name is closely tied to that location.
Gregg's task now is to translate that symbolism into tangible value for members across nearly 100 countries. Her success will be measured by whether the association can grow its network, strengthen the services it offers and position its centres as indispensable hubs for international business at a time of profound change in global trade. As the first woman to lead the organisation, she will also be watched as a symbol of how global institutions are evolving, and of the leadership talent they can draw upon when they look more widely.
