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Recognized as a Global Center of Excellence by World Trade Centers Association
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- World Trade Center (WTC) Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce today that it was awarded with "Premier Accreditation" by World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) — a global network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations across nearly 100 countries and territories. This achievement demonstrates that WTC Washington, D.C. meets the Premier Accreditation standard with specializations in Business & Member Services, Commercial Real Estate & Services, Conferences & Exhibitions, and Trade Development.
"On behalf of the WTCA network, I wish to congratulate WTC Washington, D.C. on this great achievement," stated John E. Drew, WTCA Chair, Board of Directors. "We crafted this accreditation program to recognize our member WTC businesses who meet the WTCA standard for exceptional facilities and services that significantly enrich their local communities. The requirements for this program are quite rigorous and we could not be more proud of our members who demonstrate this level of excellence."
Established in 2021, the WTCA Accreditation Program is the official process that provides formal validation of a WTC business' commitment to excellence in facilities and services. The program has two accreditation levels — Accredited Members meet a baseline range of criteria, while Premier Accredited Members achieve the highest levels of facilities and services. A WTC business can receive further recognition for areas it specializes in, including any or all of the following categories:
- Business & Member Services
- Commercial Real Estate & Services
- Conferences & Exhibitions
- Trade Development
Within a network of more than 300 WTC businesses, WTC Washington, D.C. joins an exclusive group that has achieved Premier Accreditation in all four specializations, including WTC Bengaluru, WTC Binh Duong New City, WTC Chennai, WTC Kochi, WTC Lisbon, WTC Montevideo, WTC Mumbai, and WTC Taipei.
"This achievement marks a significant milestone in the 28-year history of our Center. Becoming a 'Premier Accredited Member' not only recognizes our ongoing efforts to foster global trade and investment corridors, but also reinforces our commitment to empowering U.S. businesses to succeed in the global marketplace," said Allyson Browne McKithen, Executive Director, WTC Washington, D.C. McKithen and her team oversee the international trade and cultural mission of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) and work in collaboration with trade agencies and associations, business councils, NGOs, fellow WTC businesses and Washington's diplomatic community to advance cross-cultural dialogue, public diplomacy, and trade and investment opportunities.
All accredited WTC businesses receive an accreditation plaque and digital logo to showcase that their facilities and services have met or exceeded industry standards on a global scale.
For more information about WTC Washington, D.C., visit https://rrbitc.com/world-trade-center/.
About World Trade Center Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is a dynamic hub for government, business, culture, and community, in the heart of the nation's capital. As the first and only federal building dedicated to both public and private use, RRB/ITC is the official World Trade Center Washington, D.C., and a premier conference and event venue with executive office space, attractions, dining, retail, parking, and community activities.
World Trade Center Washington, D.C. (WTCDC) utilizes World Trade Centers Association's vast ecosystem, of more than 1 million affiliated businesses in nearly 100 countries and territories to leverage its global connections and capabilities. With this extended network, WTCDC ensures the RRB/ITC offers a powerful forum for convening international dialogue, fostering diplomacy, and advancing a more prosperous U.S. economy. Through strategic partnerships and tailored programming, WTCDC presents the RRB/ITC as a premier destination for influential events including high-profile summits, conferences, and cultural programs. Visit www.rrbitc.com or follow us @ReaganITCDC.
Trade Center Management Associates (TCMA) is the exclusive manager of Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC). TCMA's team specializes in International Trade Services, Real-Estate Management and Hospitality. For more information, visit drewcompany.com/hospitality.
About World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries and territories. As the owner of the "World Trade Center" and "WTC" trademarks, WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its members, the goal of WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe, creating an ecosystem built around commerce, community and connection. To learn more, visit www.wtca.org.
Recognized as a Global Center of Excellence by World Trade Centers Association
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- World Trade Center (WTC) Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce today that it was awarded with "Premier Accreditation" by World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) — a global network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations across nearly 100 countries and territories. This achievement demonstrates that WTC Washington, D.C. meets the Premier Accreditation standard with specializations in Business & Member Services, Commercial Real Estate & Services, Conferences & Exhibitions, and Trade Development.
"On behalf of the WTCA network, I wish to congratulate WTC Washington, D.C. on this great achievement," stated John E. Drew, WTCA Chair, Board of Directors. "We crafted this accreditation program to recognize our member WTC businesses who meet the WTCA standard for exceptional facilities and services that significantly enrich their local communities. The requirements for this program are quite rigorous and we could not be more proud of our members who demonstrate this level of excellence."
Established in 2021, the WTCA Accreditation Program is the official process that provides formal validation of a WTC business' commitment to excellence in facilities and services. The program has two accreditation levels — Accredited Members meet a baseline range of criteria, while Premier Accredited Members achieve the highest levels of facilities and services. A WTC business can receive further recognition for areas it specializes in, including any or all of the following categories:
- Business & Member Services
- Commercial Real Estate & Services
- Conferences & Exhibitions
- Trade Development
Within a network of more than 300 WTC businesses, WTC Washington, D.C. joins an exclusive group that has achieved Premier Accreditation in all four specializations, including WTC Bengaluru, WTC Binh Duong New City, WTC Chennai, WTC Kochi, WTC Lisbon, WTC Montevideo, WTC Mumbai, and WTC Taipei.
"This achievement marks a significant milestone in the 28-year history of our Center. Becoming a 'Premier Accredited Member' not only recognizes our ongoing efforts to foster global trade and investment corridors, but also reinforces our commitment to empowering U.S. businesses to succeed in the global marketplace," said Allyson Browne McKithen, Executive Director, WTC Washington, D.C. McKithen and her team oversee the international trade and cultural mission of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) and work in collaboration with trade agencies and associations, business councils, NGOs, fellow WTC businesses and Washington's diplomatic community to advance cross-cultural dialogue, public diplomacy, and trade and investment opportunities.
All accredited WTC businesses receive an accreditation plaque and digital logo to showcase that their facilities and services have met or exceeded industry standards on a global scale.
For more information about WTC Washington, D.C., visit https://rrbitc.com/world-trade-center/.
About World Trade Center Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is a dynamic hub for government, business, culture, and community, in the heart of the nation's capital. As the first and only federal building dedicated to both public and private use, RRB/ITC is the official World Trade Center Washington, D.C., and a premier conference and event venue with executive office space, attractions, dining, retail, parking, and community activities.
World Trade Center Washington, D.C. (WTCDC) utilizes World Trade Centers Association's vast ecosystem, of more than 1 million affiliated businesses in nearly 100 countries and territories to leverage its global connections and capabilities. With this extended network, WTCDC ensures the RRB/ITC offers a powerful forum for convening international dialogue, fostering diplomacy, and advancing a more prosperous U.S. economy. Through strategic partnerships and tailored programming, WTCDC presents the RRB/ITC as a premier destination for influential events including high-profile summits, conferences, and cultural programs. Visit www.rrbitc.com or follow us @ReaganITCDC.
Trade Center Management Associates (TCMA) is the exclusive manager of Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC). TCMA's team specializes in International Trade Services, Real-Estate Management and Hospitality. For more information, visit drewcompany.com/hospitality.
About World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries and territories. As the owner of the "World Trade Center" and "WTC" trademarks, WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its members, the goal of WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe, creating an ecosystem built around commerce, community and connection. To learn more, visit www.wtca.org.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
World Trade Center Washington, D.C. Achieves Premier Accreditation
ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.
As a premier destination rich in ancient history and breathtaking nature, AlUla, located in Northwest Saudi Arabia, solidifies its position on the global stage as a dynamic, emerging land art destination with Desert X AlUla, the region's first public art biennale, and a key highlight of the AlUla Arts Festival.
The 2026 edition of Desert X AlUla brings together 11 acclaimed artists whose diverse works reflect a wide spectrum of ideas, materials, and traditions. From monumental kinetic sculpture to sound-based explorations above and below ground, each commission is deeply rooted in relationships to AlUla's distinctive environment, further cementing Desert X AlUla's reputation as a globally significant platform for site-responsive land art.
Desert X AlUla runs until February 28, 2026, as a cornerstone of the annual AlUla Arts Festival. Curated by Wejdan Reda, Zoé Whitley, with artistic direction by Neville Wakefield, and Raneem Farsi, its fourth edition explores 'Space Without Measure.' Inspired by Kahlil Gibran, the theme fosters contemplation of imagination within AlUla's natural settings. The exhibition, set in the desert canyons of AlUla, serves as a pre-opening programme for Wadi AlFann, offering a pivotal glimpse into AlUla's plans to create a permanent land art 'Valley of the Arts.'
Hamad Alhomiedan, Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: "At Desert X AlUla 2026, audiences will engage with art that deeply converses with AlUla's unique landscapes and rich heritage. These compelling commissions highlight AlUla's dynamic transformation into a major global destination, where ancient and contemporary expressions converge. This exhibition is part of our broader revitalisation of AlUla as a culturally rich destination to live, work and visit and integral to positioning AlUla in the global dialogue of contemporary art and as a precursor to monumental projects like Wadi AlFann."
Participating artist/artworks are:
- Sara Abdu, A Kingdom Where No One Dies: Contours of Resonance
- Mohammad Alfaraj, What was the Question Again?
- Mohammed AlSaleem, The Thorn, AlShuruf Unit, The Triangles, Flower Bud, and Al Ahilla (courtesy of Royal Commission for Riyadh City)
- Tarek Atoui, The Water Song
- Bahraini-Danish, Bloom
- Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Imole Red
- Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid
- Ibrahim El-Salahi, Haraza Tree
- Basmah Felemban, Murmur of Pebbles
- Vibha Galhotra, Future Fables
- Héctor Zamora, Tar HyPar
For further information, please contact:
Sabrine.Shaw@bursonglobal.com
AlUlaArtsFestival@bursonglobal.com
Multimedia gallery:
High-resolution photos of all 11 artists and their artworks can be found here.
About AlUla and Arts AlUla
Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.
The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages. AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes was developed from at least the 12th century and has been revitalised as the vibrant hub for visitors and residents.
The creation of Arts AlUla within The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is a commitment to crafting the next chapters in a millennia of artistic creation – celebrating cultural inheritance and shaping a future inspired by artists built be artists. The work of Arts AlUla seeks to preserve this legacy: fuse the old with the new; the local with the international, keeping the arts central to the spirit of AlUla as a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage.
Wadi AlFann, meaning 'Valley of the Arts,' will be a global cultural destination for land art, unveiling from 2028 onwards, where era-defining works by artists from around the world will be permanently sited in the monumental landscape of AlUla, the extraordinary desert region of north-west Saudi Arabia.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Desert X AlUla 2026: monumental land art exhibition opens in the ancient oasis of AlUla
