World Trade Center Arkansas

04/21/2025

This past Friday, our CEO, Denise Thomas, had the honor of presenting in Little Rock for the Leadership Foundations for Women program — a powerful initiative designed to equip women with tactical leadership skills for professional growth.

With over 25 years of experience in international trade, Denise shared her insights as a global business leader and also as a certified Happiness Strategist, guiding attendees through the principles of balance, well-being, and resilience using lessons from Happy for No Reason by Marci Shimoff.

We’re proud to see her continue to inspire and lead across industries and communities.

04/17/2025

Exciting News! Our CEO, Denise Thomas, was recently featured in BizWomen, a national news column spotlighting women in business across the country.

BizWomen, part of American City Business Journals, delivers in-depth interviews and breaking news that help women shape their careers, grow their businesses, and elevate their lives.

In the article, she shares how her mother was the inspiration behind her journey, which began in the fashion industry as an entrepreneur. Today, with over 25 years of experience in international trade, her favorite part of the job is empowering Arkansas entrepreneurs to succeed in business.

Read the full article to learn more about her incredible story, her passion for entrepreneurship, and the path that led her here!

https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/profiles-strategies/2025/04/trailblazer-in-trade-denise-thomas-milestone.html?csrc=6398

04/10/2025

Wrapping up an impactful week at the 55th Global Business Forum in Marseille, France 🇫🇷—hosted by WTC Marseille and the World Trade Centers Association. With over 100 business delegations and more than 300 World Trade Centers in attendance, we explored global themes including free trade zones, real estate investment, and success stories from across the WTC network.

A big thank you to Namida Lab for joining us and proudly representing the state of Arkansas on this international stage. The forum was a powerful reminder of the support we have from a greater network that extends across the globe—uniting us in our mission to drive economic growth and collaboration.

We are returning home with new knowledge, valuable perspectives, and a renewed commitment to building global connections from the Natural State.

04/09/2025

Great to see global connections in action at the 55th Global Business Forum!

Niraj Khinvasara, representing World Trade Center Pune and the WTC Association, and Omid Moghadam, attending as a B2B delegate with Namida Lab Inc.—a proud client of World Trade Center Arkansas—were both in attendance, exchanging ideas, building partnerships, helping shape the future of international business.

Here’s to collaboration that crosses borders!

04/08/2025

The World Trade Center Arkansas was honored to attend and learn from an insightful panel discussion on Navigating Trade and Investment Trends in 2025.

Featuring voices from across the global trade landscape, the conversation brought together Ed Allison-Wright (World Trade Centers Association), Iana Dreyer (Borderlex), Lionel Johnson (Pacific Pension & Investment Institute), and Penny Naas (German Marshall Fund of the United States), and was moderated by Ken Levinson (Washington International Trade Association).

A true highlight of the event was Angela Ellard of the World Trade Organization, who delivered powerful insights on how global trade policy can shape meaningful progress in the fight against poverty.

Grateful for the thoughtful discussion from all involved.

04/08/2025

04/07/2025

What an exciting and impactful start to the 55th World Trade Center Association Global Business Forum!

This Spring, the World Trade Center Marseille-Provence is hosting the WTC Associations Global Business Forum. This year, there are 56 countries represented at the forum! In between informative sessions, such as Innovation in Action: Free Trade Zones as Engines of Growth, we have heard amazing stories of the history of Marseille, presented by the voice of Marseille.

The World Trade Center Arkansas is happy to have Omid Moghadam with Namida Lab, Inc. as a part of our delegation.

We’re looking forward to the connections, ideas, and inspiration that lie ahead!

04/04/2025

The International Paris Air Show is a one-of-a-kind platform to discover the latest innovations shaping the aerospace industry!

From cutting-edge electrical, electronic, mechanical, and metallurgical advancements to breakthroughs in composite materials and surface treatments, this event showcases the future of aviation. You’ll also find innovative solutions in maintenance, after-sales service, spare parts, and airport equipment & services.

An unmissable opportunity to connect with global industry leaders and explore the next generation of aerospace technology!

03/31/2025

Discover the future of food at the Specialty Food Association Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC! From June 29 – July 1, 2025, at the Javits Center, explore 40+ categories of high-quality products, from gluten-free & vegan delights to the latest drinks and protein-packed snacks. Don’t miss this premier industry event—connect, taste, and innovate with the best in specialty food. Register now!

03/21/2025

Check out the Women’s Business Daily article featuring Denise Thomas, CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas! She shares her inspiring journey as a woman leader in business, offering invaluable career and life advice. 💼 “Challenges are not something to be ashamed of; they are badges of honor and courage.”

Read more here: https://www.womensbusinessdaily.com/featured-women/denise-thomas/

03/18/2025

CoinDesk’s Consensus 2025—the most influential event in crypto, blockchain, and Web3—is coming to Toronto on May 14-16!

With powerhouse speakers like Kevin O’Leary, Dan Morehead, and more, this is where innovation meets opportunity. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the future of digital assets, AI, and decentralized finance.

🎟 Tickets are on sale for just two more days—until March 21 at 4 PM ET / 3 PM CT!

Secure your spot now!

03/18/2025

Join us in Pine Bluff for the Rural Pathways to the Global Marketplace series! 🌍

📍 The ARTSpace on Main | 623 S Main Street, Pine Bluff, AR
⏰ 8:15 AM - 10:15 AM

Discover how to increase your business’s global sales and build your international reputation. This session is designed to foster connections, spark collaborations, and highlight local resources to help you expand in the global marketplace.

✉️ RSVP now: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

03/13/2025

The Paris Air Show—the world’s largest aerospace event—brings together industry leaders, innovators, and aviation enthusiasts from around the globe! 🌍✈️ With 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries, 300,000 visitors, and 150 aircraft featuring 210 thrilling flying displays, it’s the ultimate showcase of cutting-edge technology and the future of aviation.

03/13/2025

Entrepreneurship fuels global progress, and Slush 2025 is where the future takes shape. Join the World Trade Center Arkansas in Helsinki, Finland, on November 19-20, as innovators, investors, and visionaries come together to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

By supporting diverse entrepreneurs, embracing bold risks, and fostering global collaboration, we can drive real change.

03/08/2025

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we proudly recognize Teresa Farah, the OWIT Arkansas Award recipient, whose career has been an inspiration for women in business and global trade. With over 30 years as an award-winning transactional attorney, Teresa’s has dedicated her career to mentoring and uplifting women entrepreneurs.

Teresa has represented Fortune 500 companies such as Walmart and Tyson Foods, as well as governments and startups, shaping key international agreements. As the Head of Legal to The Executive Office of the Ruler of Dubai, she played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that empowered small businesses, including the landmark Dubai Healthcare City collaboration with Harvard Medical International.

A co-founding board member of OWIT Arkansas, Teresa has been instrumental in building networks that support women in international trade. Her passion for education is evident in her work as an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law and Vytautas Magnus University, where she shares her expertise with the next generation of global leaders.

Recognized by the American Bar Association as a "Legal Rebel," Teresa continues to redefine the landscape of law and business, ensuring that women-led startups and minority-owned enterprises thrive in the global market.

Congratulations, Teresa, on this well-deserved honor! Stay tuned for a more in-depth feature on Tuesday, where we’ll dive deeper into her incredible journey.

03/07/2025

As we wrap up an incredible week at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, we’re excited to welcome Della Rice as one of our newest STEP Grant clients! This expo has been an amazing opportunity to connect with innovative companies, including Fire & Smoke Society, whom we had the pleasure of meeting here. We’re looking forward to seeing how these businesses grow and thrive in the natural products industry. Until next time, Expo West!

03/06/2025

The latest episode of the Get Ready to Be Ready series is now streaming on YouTube!

In "Why Sourcing Smarter Matters in India," Denise Thomas, CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas, sits down with Kaylynn Jordan, CEO of Ethical Sourcing, to break down smarter sourcing strategies and give you a competitive edge in the marketplace. 🌍📦

Don't miss out—watch now! 🔗 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLkkGmqcVs]

03/06/2025

The Paris Air Show, first held in 1909, is the world's largest aerospace exhibition, hosted biennially at Paris–Le Bourget Airport. Organized by GIFAS, it showcases cutting-edge aviation technology, attracting thousands of exhibitors from around the globe. After a pandemic-related cancellation in 2021, the show returned in 2023, continuing its legacy as a premier event in the aerospace industry. 🚀✈️