For the fourth year in a row, Source of Asia returned to the State International Development Organizations (SIDO) Washington Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. from 23 to 26 February. This annual gathering brings together U.S. state trade leaders, institutional partners, and international advisors to exchange perspectives on trade priorities and global market developments.
In 2026, conversations were grounded, forward-looking, and centered on strengthening practical cooperation between the United States and ASEAN. For Source of Asia, this fourth participation reflects a continued commitment to building long-term bridges between regional ecosystems and supporting structured international expansion.
Take a closer look at this year’s SIDO agenda and key discussion themes.
Strengthening U.S.–ASEAN Dialogue
Representing Source of Asia, our CEO Thierry Mermet attended the forum alongside Cedric Fromont, CEO of Valians International, within the broader Globallians network.
Thierry Mermet (Source of Asia) (right) and Cedric Fromont (Valians International) (left) representing the Globallians network at the Washington SIDO Leadership Forum 2026.
Throughout the event, discussions focused on:
- Trade and investment cooperation between U.S. states and ASEAN markets.
- Practical market-entry support for exporters and investors.
- Long-term partnership models rather than short-term transactions.
What stood out this year was the quality of exchanges. Meetings were direct. Expectations were clear. Also, there was a shared willingness to turn introductions into structured collaboration.
Why Washington SIDO 2026 Matters for International Expansion
International expansion has been a key topic in recent years. In 2026, companies are reassessing where they invest, how they diversify supply chains, and which regional partners they can rely on.
Discussions and exchanges during the SIDO Washington Leadership Forum 2026, bringing together trade professionals and global partners to explore international cooperation opportunities.
From Source of Asia’s perspective, we investigate several themes:
- First, U.S. states are more active in identifying reliable ASEAN partners.
- Second, companies expect clearer action plans when entering Southeast Asia.
- Last but not least, long-term consulting relationships are becoming key assets, not optional support.
As a result, business forums like SIDO play a key role in bringing together expectations between U.S. organizations and ASEAN market experts.
Returning for the fourth time also strengthens our role as a long-term bridge between the United States and Southeast Asia. We left Washington with renewed conversations, next steps already starting, and a clear sense that steady relationship building continues to pay off.
Source of Asia CEO Thierry Mermet exchanging perspectives with international partners during networking sessions at Washington SIDO 2026. Source: SIDO
Looking Ahead: The Next 2026 Best Practices & Training Conference
The dialogue does not stop in Washington. The next major milestone will be the 2026 Best Practices & Training Conference, organized by State International Development Organizations (SIDO) in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
📍 October 5–8, 2026
This event will once again gather the SIDO community to exchange practical insights and build stronger international trade partnerships. The next Conference in October 2026 will bring together state trade directors and international trade experts to share strategies, tools, and practical experiences for supporting U.S. exports and bringing in foreign investment.
As the largest annual meeting of state-level trade officials, it provides valuable space to exchange ideas and deepen collaboration. We look forward to keeping these conversations around U.S.–ASEAN trade and investment development there.
Let’s Keep the Dialogue Open With SOA
If we crossed paths in Washington SIDO, it was a pleasure to reconnect. If not, we would be glad to continue the conversation.
As U.S.–ASEAN cooperation evolves, consistent dialogue and local execution remain essential. Our Source of Asia experts are ready to support companies expanding into Southeast Asia with market intelligence, entry strategy, sourcing, and operational setup.
If you are reviewing your 2026 international roadmap, our team is ready to exchange. Contact us now to book a free consultation!
