2007 WTCA General Assembly - October 21-24, 2007

Close to 300 delegates from 40 countries gathered in New Orleans for the 2007 World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) General Assembly on October 21-24. This year, the Greater Philadelphia region boasted diverse representation as members of the WTCGP Services Consortium and Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau joined the WTCGP staff at this annual three-and-a-half day conference. Following a panel discussion of Louisiana’s recovery from the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005; the assembly agenda then unfolded with a series of sessions with a diverse range of topics. Over the course of three days, delegates took advantage of opportunities to meet one-on-one with their counterparts to explore new areas of cooperation and discover lucrative international business opportunities for their members. In addition to the business program, conference participants enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to get a glimpse of New Orleans culture. The reception “A Taste of the World Trade Center and All That Jazz” hosted by the WTC New Orleans in the glamorous Plimsoll Club on the 30th floor of its almost fully restored building; dinner at Mardi Gras World; and a tour of the historic and cultural landmarks of New Orleans, were just a few of the highlights of this program.

Guests of the 2007 WTCA General Assembly	“New Orleans will always have a special place in the heart of our global family,” said Guy Tozzoli, president of the WTCA at the opening ceremony.
Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco provided updates on the progress of the state’s economic recovery and ongoing incentives aimed to lure more investment into the region.	Mayor C. Ray Nagin, City of New Orleans, reported on the recovery efforts currently underway in the city and the progress achieved over the last two years.
Louise Belanger and Guy Jobin of the WTC Montreal with Joanna Savvides of the WTCGP	David Delizza of Pennoni Associates Inc. (Philadelphia, PA) with his wife Nancy; and Dale Foote of the WTCGP
Olga Timofeeva and Alexander V. Pavlov of the World Trade Center Ufa with Diana Melnichenko of the WTCGP Photo is courtesy of the WTC Ufa	Joanna Savvides of the WTCGP; Styliana Pontiki-Drege of the WTC Cyprus
Joanna Savvides, president of the WTCGP with Fritz Smith, Vice President of Tourism. Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau at Mardi Gras World