Annette Gregg has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), becoming the first woman to lead the organisation in its 57 year history.
Gregg assumed the role on 5 October 2026 and will lead WTCA from its recently established global headquarters at One World Trade Center in New York City. The appointment comes shortly after the association returned its global headquarters to the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan following 25 years away.
WTCA is an international trade organisation connecting more than 300 World Trade Center locations across nearly 100 countries and territories. Its network brings together businesses, economic development organisations and communities to facilitate international trade and investment.
For Gregg, the appointment represents a move from leading a global professional association in the business events sector to heading an international organisation with a direct focus on trade, investment and economic development.
More Than 30 Years of International Leadership
Gregg brings more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning global associations, private enterprise, international business events and hospitality.
Before joining WTCA, she served as Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), an international association representing professionals in the incentive travel industry.
During her time at SITE, Gregg led an organisation with approximately 3,700 members across 27 chapters. WTCA said SITE increased its top line revenue by 160% over three years through diversified revenue streams, while membership grew by more than 70%.
Her previous experience includes serving as Chief Revenue Officer at Meeting Professionals International (MPI), where she was responsible for approximately 70% of the organisation’s revenue and helped expand product distribution across Europe, Asia and Latin America.
The experience gives Gregg a background in building international membership organisations, developing revenue streams and connecting professionals across markets.
Leading a Global Trade Network
Gregg’s new role places her at the centre of an international network focused on cross-border business.
WTCA operates through its network of World Trade Center locations, which support businesses and organisations seeking to develop international relationships, access market intelligence and identify trade and investment opportunities.
As CEO, Gregg will work with WTCA’s board, members, headquarters team and regional teams on the association’s strategic and business priorities.
Her responsibilities will include strengthening member engagement, expanding the global network and developing new opportunities for members to connect businesses, markets and communities.
Gregg has identified listening to members and connecting opportunities across markets as important priorities for her leadership.
A Significant Moment for Women in Global Trade
Gregg’s appointment is particularly notable because WTCA was established 57 years ago and has never previously had a woman as its chief executive.
The milestone comes as women continue to take on a greater number of senior positions across international business, trade associations and economic development organisations.
Her appointment also places a woman at the head of a network that operates across nearly 100 countries and territories and connects more than 300 World Trade Center locations.
For WTCA, the leadership change is taking place alongside a broader organisational transition.
The association recently established its global headquarters at One World Trade Center, bringing its central operations back to the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan after 25 years.
Returning to One World Trade Center
The return to Lower Manhattan provides an important backdrop to Gregg’s appointment.
WTCA announced on 2 October that it had established its global headquarters at One World Trade Center, reconnecting the association’s headquarters with the World Trade Center site.
The organisation was previously headquartered in the original World Trade Center’s North Tower before relocating following the events of 2001. Its return comes 25 years after WTCA last maintained its headquarters there.
Gregg therefore takes charge at a point when the association is simultaneously strengthening its physical presence in New York and looking to build greater value across its international network.
Experience in Growing Global Organisations
Gregg’s record at SITE is likely to be particularly relevant to her new position.
Her tenure combined membership growth with revenue diversification, while her earlier work at MPI involved international distribution and commercial development across several major regions.
That experience is closely aligned with WTCA’s objective of strengthening relationships between members and creating practical business opportunities through its network.
WTCA Chairman John E. Drew said Gregg brings strategic vision, financial expertise and global stakeholder experience to the organisation.
The association said her career has consistently focused on building international communities and turning global networks into value for members.
Connecting Businesses Across Markets
WTCA operates in a business environment where companies are increasingly required to navigate complex international markets, changing trade relationships and new investment opportunities.
Through its network, the association provides platforms for business leaders, economic development organisations and World Trade Center businesses to exchange market intelligence, build cross-border relationships and explore trade and investment opportunities.
Gregg’s background in membership organisations and international business events gives her experience in bringing different stakeholders together, an important part of WTCA’s operating model.
Her focus will now shift towards applying that experience to a much broader international trade network.
A New Leadership Chapter
Gregg takes over as WTCA enters a new period for the organisation.
Its headquarters has returned to One World Trade Center, while its network continues to connect businesses and organisations across nearly 100 countries and territories.
For Gregg, the appointment marks both a personal career milestone and a significant moment for WTCA.
After 57 years without a woman at the top of the organisation, she becomes its first female CEO, bringing more than three decades of international association, business events and commercial leadership experience to the role.
Her immediate task will be to strengthen WTCA’s relationship with its members, expand connections across its global network and identify new opportunities for businesses to engage in international trade and investment.
