Sporting a new façade and renovated mezzanine, a rejuvenated World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) opened its doors yesterday to 250 delegates of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)’s 46th general assembly — the first time in two decades that a Southeast Asian country has hosted the prestigious association meeting.

WTCMM, which opened in 1996, was already in the middle of renovation last year when it won the bid to host the general assembly. “We had to speed it up to be ready in time,” said Guillermo D. Luchangco, chairman of Manila Exposition Complex, Inc. that owns WTCMM.

The New York-based group WTCA aims to stimulate trade and investment opportunities for property developers, economic development agencies, and international businesses. WTCMM is among the 300 World Trade Centers in about 100 countries worldwide.

Delegates had been looking forward to Manila’s hosting the event, Luchangco said. With the Philippines’ economic growth, “there will be ample opportunity for WTCA members to match their interests with those of locally-based businesses” during the conference, he said.

The three-day assembly is supported by the Tourism Promotions Board and is one of the many business events that will happen as the country celebrates Visit the Philippines Year. Upcoming international events scheduled at WTCMM include the 2015 APEC Summit in November, SIAL South East Asia Food Market and Exhibition in June, and the Asia Pop Comic Con in September.