Connecting local expertise with global leaders, the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) serves as Maryland’s premier gateway for international exchange. Each year, hundreds of professionals from around the world come to Maryland to engage directly with their local counterparts and experience American culture firsthand. 

WTCI’s exchange programs foster cross-cultural understanding and strengthen political and business networks through curated professional meetings and immersive community experiences. By facilitating these powerful human connections, we empower participants to build lasting global networks and serve as citizen diplomats, showcasing regional excellence while gaining invaluable perspectives from across the globe. We create these programs for a diverse array of organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, the Congressional Office for International Leadership, Embassies, universities, and private sector companies.

 

Our 2025 impact

Our largest impacts are the connections we make between Marylanders and the citizens of more than 189 countries we have welcomed to the state through our programs.
0

Approximate amount of money WTCI’s global exchanges generate for Maryland annually

0

Number of WTCI international visitors

0

Number of hours our citizen diplomats, homestay heroes, and dinner hospitality hosts spent with WTCI’s international visitors.

0

Countries represented by our visitors

2025 Global Visitors by Country

1-3
4-5
6-9
10-19
20+
0
SVP, Data Science & Insights Blend360
"We were inspired to hear about the Kyrgyzstan's advance sand investments in broadening access to education. Both group shared an enthusiasm for the power of AI in education and the opportunities it will create here and in Kyrgyzstan."
Steve Tom
Senior VP, Blend
Stacy Stube, founder of SEW BROMO​
“It is an honor and joy to work with the World Trade Center Institute to share a love and passion for entrepreneurship with global leaders visiting Baltimore.”
Stacy Stube
Founder of SEW BROMO​
Adriana Proser, Chief Curator, The Walters Art Museum​
“It was such a pleasure to welcome the delegation. It was rewarding for us to hear about their work and especially meaningful to hear their thoughts and responses to our Across Asia and the Islamic World galleries.”
Adriana Proser
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quincy Scott Curator of Asian Art and Chief Curator, the Walters Art Museum.

Be a Citizen Diplomat

Our exchange programs are only possible with participation from community leaders, businesses, and residents who open their doors to the world. By becoming a host or partner, you aren’t just participating in a program; you are actively shaping international relations and representing the best of Maryland on a global stage. 

How it works

WTCI manages all the “heavy lifting” behind the scenes, handling everything from transportation and complex scheduling to the finer points of logistics. This allows you to focus entirely on the human connection without the stress of planning.  

Whether you are hosting a brief professional meeting, a casual dinner, or welcoming a visitor into your home for a longer stay, there is no pressure to act as a formal tour guide; the goal is simply a genuine, relaxed exchange of ideas and culture. We work closely with you to match visitors with your specific interests and availability, ensuring the experience fits naturally into your professional or personal life. Furthermore, every international professional is rigorously vetted by the U.S. Department of State before they arrive, so you can move forward with absolute confidence in the caliber and intent of your guests. 

Host a DinnerShare your culture through the universal language of food. Maybe you want to flex your Maryland bonafides with crab cakes, or showcase classic Americana with burgers and fries. Host up to 15 program participants to experience a traditional home-cooked American meal.
Host a VisitorOur visitors want to experience a typical American lifestyle in between their meetings. You will be together for some meals, as well as any other activities you have planned. Prior to your guest's arrival, you will receive information on the person and their culture. All you need is a spare bedroom and an open mind.
Host a MeetingMeet with our program participants to share your knowledge and experience while gaining an international perspective. Participants are often at the leaders in their fields in their home countries and are here to learn from their professional counterparts.

Take you first step in becoming a citizen diplomat by contacting Loren Kupferschmid for more information.

Loren Kupferschmid Senior Manager of Global Engagement

Loren Kupferschmid

Director of Global Engagement

Our Programs

We design and deliver programs for our partners in the Federal Government, universities, and the public and private sectors.
Lt Governor Mille meets with delegation

Open World Program

Funded by U.S. Congress and administered by the Congressional Office for International Leadership, Open World brings emerging leaders from Europe and Eurasia to the U.S. for 10 days of intensive exchange with their professional counterparts and host community members. Participants stay with homestay hosts to provide a deeper understanding of American culture.

Homestay Visitors in Baltimore

Custom Exchange Programs

If your organization is preparing to welcome a group of international visitors, WTCI can help you turn their stay into a high-impact professional and cultural journey. We specialize in supporting public, private, and academic partners by designing custom programming that adds depth and local context to any visit. Whether you need to organize exclusive site visits to see Maryland’s industries in action, facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions with local experts, or simply want to provide your guests with a genuine taste of our region’s culture, our team handles every detail. We translate your goals into meaningful experiences by Identifying the right local counterparts and industry experts for your guests to meet. 

Open World

International Visitor Leadership Program  

As the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) connects the world’s current and emerging leaders with their counterparts in the United States. Through short-term, high-impact visits, participants engage in professional meetings tailored to their expertise while experiencing the reality of American life and culture. 

Since 1940, the IVLP has built a prestigious global network of over 225,000 alumni, including more than 500 current or former heads of state. By facilitating these direct, person-to-person connections, the program fosters lasting international partnerships and advances global cooperation, one conversation at a time. 

Recent Programs