The 'World Trade Center Institute' (WTCI) operates as a private, non-profit, and non-political membership organization located in the Baltimore World Trade Center building on the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. Financed in cooperation with area businesses and the State of Maryland, WTCI’s mission is to drive the growth of Maryland’s global business community. WTCI is one of the 320 members of the World Trade Center Association (WTCA), which operates WTCs in 96 countries around the world.
Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer founded WTCI in 1989 along with Chairman of RTKL Associates, Harold Adams and a Board of Directors. After partnering with the Maryland Port Administration in 1991, WTCI was granted the World Trade Center Association license, making it the official proprietor of Baltimore World Trade Center and a subsidiary of the World Trade Center Association.
WTCI was recognized in 2010–2012 by the Baltimore Business Journal as the Largest Association in the Baltimore area and in 2009 as the Largest Business Networking Organization.
In March 2011, WTCI was selected by the World Bank to act as the Mid-Atlantic region’s Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO). The PSLO enables the region’s business community to use the World Bank program as a way to engage the private sector in international development programs. WTCI joined three other organizations in the United States with the World Bank accreditation, including the Chicago Global Mid-West Alliance, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.
Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer founded WTCI in 1989 alongside Chairman of RTKL Associates, Harold Adams, and a prominent Board of Directors. With the inauguration of WTCI, Schaefer and Adams sought to expand Maryland’s global business community, foster international liaisons, and expose local businesses to opportunities abroad. After partnering with the State of Maryland Port Administration in 1991, WTCI was awarded the World Trade Center Association license, making it the official proprietor of the World Trade Center Baltimore and a subsidiary of the expansive World Trade Center Association.