WTCA Appoints Annette Gregg as First Woman CEO

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) has appointed Annette Gregg as its Chief Executive Officer, making her the first woman to lead the international trade organization in its 57-year history.

Annette took charge on October 5 and will lead the WTCA from its newly established global headquarters at One World Trade Center in New York City. She brings more than three decades of leadership experience across global associations, private businesses, international events, and hospitality.

Her appointment comes as WTCA begins a new chapter after returning its headquarters to the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan following 25 years. The organization connects more than 300 World Trade Center locations across nearly 100 countries and territories.

Key Highlights:

• Annette Gregg becomes the first woman to lead WTCA as CEO in its 57-year history
• Annette brings over 30 years of leadership experience across associations, business events, and hospitality
• She will focus on strengthening member engagement and expanding WTCA’s global business network

As CEO, Annette will oversee WTCA’s global staff and work with its board of directors and members on the association’s strategic and business priorities. Her responsibilities will include strengthening member engagement, expanding the international network and developing opportunities for businesses and communities to connect through trade and investment.

“Annette brings the combination of strategic vision, financial acumen and global stakeholder engagement that WTCA needs as we look toward the future,” said John E. Drew, chair of the WTCA board of directors.

Drew said Annette’s experience strengthening international organizations and developing connections across markets will support WTCA as it seeks to expand the value of its global network.

Annette most recently served as CEO of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, or SITE, where she led an international association with approximately 3,700 members and 27 chapters.

During her tenure, SITE increased topline revenue by 160% over three years through diversified revenue streams while growing membership by more than 70%, according to WTCA.

Annette was also named the 2026 Marin Bright Legacy Award recipient for her work with SITE and her leadership in the meetings and events industry.

Previously, she served as chief revenue officer for Meeting Professionals International, where she was responsible for approximately 70% of the organization’s revenue. Her role included helping expand the association’s product distribution across Europe, Asia and Latin America.

That background in membership organizations and international business networks aligns with WTCA’s model, which uses its global network of World Trade Center locations to connect businesses, economic development organizations and communities across markets.

“WTCA has an extraordinary foundation — a trusted global brand and a network of Members with deep connections to businesses and communities across nearly 100 countries and territories,” Annette said.

She will pay special attention to listening to members, connecting opportunities across markets and exploring further potential for business value creation in the network, she said.

As businesses deal with evolving international markets and more and more complex trans-border business environments, Gregg is placed at the top spot. WTCA's events, programming and network are designed to bring together business leaders and economic development organizations, support market intelligence and international trade and investment relationships.

She's also coming on the heels of WTCA's move back to Lower Manhattan. The body recently moved its head office back to the location where the World Trade Center brand was established after 25 years, to One World Trade Center. New York will support the regional and headquarters staff of WTCA with its members around the globe.

The leadership change marks the first time in the organization's existence in 57 years that the leadership of the organization has been composed of women, and marks the first time that an individual with a wealth of experience in association growth and international stakeholder engagement leads the organization as it looks to grow its network and membership internationally.