About Us
World Trade Week NYC is part of an annual nationwide celebration of international trade observed by business and trade-related organizations across the United States during May. The mission of World Trade Week NYC is to promote the importance of international trade to the New York City metropolitan area economy. New Yorkers depend heavily on international commerce for their jobs, standard of living, and the myriad goods and services available to its diverse population.
Trade organizations, businesses and other stakeholders come together both nationally and locally to promote and facilitate international trade in the U.S. economy. The New York tri-state region’s trade and transportation community celebrates World Trade Week throughout the month of May, offering a full agenda of educational seminars, global business networking events and the International Trade Awards Breakfast that recognizes the exemplary achievements by practitioners in the field.
We work together to:
Who are our Partners?
World Trade Week NYC, through sponsorships, partnerships and referrals, puts businesses and organizations in touch with invaluable opportunities and resources. We invite you to join us!
The World Trade Week NYC Steering Committee
The World Trade Week NYC steering committee is a committee of the New York District Export Council (NY DEC). District Export Councils are organizations of leaders from the local business community, appointed by successive Secretaries of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms.
World Trade Week 2025 Steering Committee Members:
Lene Skou, Weissman Center for International Business, Baruch College, Chair
Sponsorship Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
Partnerships Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
World Trade Week Kick-off Event Subcommittee:
Lene Skou, Weissman Center for International Business, Baruch College
Peter Bengston, New York Public Library/Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Kinda Younes, ITAC
Wanda Sample, NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association, Inc.
Marketing and Communications Subcommittee:
Peter Bengston, New York Public Library/Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Barney Lehrer, Webmaster
International Trade Awards Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
Student Scholarships Subcommittee:
Christine Pomeranz, Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY
Peter Bengston, New York Public Library/Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Government & Congressional Relations Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
New York District Export Council:
Andrea Ratay, TD Bank and NY District Export Council Chair
Joe Schoonmaker, NY District Export Council Treasurer
Press and Media Sponsorship Subcommittee
Nathaniel Sears, U.S. Department of Commerce
Accounting/Payments:
Joe Schoonmaker, NY District Export Council Treasurer
Trade organizations, businesses and other stakeholders come together both nationally and locally to promote and facilitate international trade in the U.S. economy. The New York tri-state region’s trade and transportation community celebrates World Trade Week throughout the month of May, offering a full agenda of educational seminars, global business networking events and the International Trade Awards Breakfast that recognizes the exemplary achievements by practitioners in the field.
We work together to:
- Recognize the contribution of international trade to economic growth and job creation in the New York metropolitan region
- Highlight the link between international trade and transportation and the region’s economic well‐being
- Celebrate companies and organizations succeeding in the global marketplace and highlight their contribution to the region’s economy
- Share knowledge, resources and ideas to facilitate small business success internationally
- Provide scholarships to undergraduate students of international business
Who are our Partners?
World Trade Week NYC, through sponsorships, partnerships and referrals, puts businesses and organizations in touch with invaluable opportunities and resources. We invite you to join us!
The World Trade Week NYC Steering Committee
The World Trade Week NYC steering committee is a committee of the New York District Export Council (NY DEC). District Export Councils are organizations of leaders from the local business community, appointed by successive Secretaries of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms.
World Trade Week 2025 Steering Committee Members:
Lene Skou, Weissman Center for International Business, Baruch College, Chair
Sponsorship Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
Partnerships Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
World Trade Week Kick-off Event Subcommittee:
Lene Skou, Weissman Center for International Business, Baruch College
Peter Bengston, New York Public Library/Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Kinda Younes, ITAC
Wanda Sample, NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association, Inc.
Marketing and Communications Subcommittee:
Peter Bengston, New York Public Library/Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Barney Lehrer, Webmaster
International Trade Awards Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
Student Scholarships Subcommittee:
Christine Pomeranz, Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY
Peter Bengston, New York Public Library/Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Government & Congressional Relations Subcommittee:
Nancy Ploeger, International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation
New York District Export Council:
Andrea Ratay, TD Bank and NY District Export Council Chair
Joe Schoonmaker, NY District Export Council Treasurer
Press and Media Sponsorship Subcommittee
Nathaniel Sears, U.S. Department of Commerce
Accounting/Payments:
Joe Schoonmaker, NY District Export Council Treasurer
