Source of Asia will take part in the SIDO Washington Leadership Forum 2026, taking place from February 23 to 26, 2026, in Washington, D.C., United States.
This marks the third consecutive year that Source of Asia participates in the SIDO Washington Leadership Forum. Our CEO, Thierry Mermet, will represent the company, attending alongside partners from the Globallians network.
The forum brings together senior leaders involved in international trade, investment, and economic development, offering a high-level space where policy discussions meet real-world execution. For us, attending this event is a way to stay close to real discussions about trade policy, market access, and cross-border cooperation.
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Event information: 2026 Washington Leadership Forum
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SOA’s CEO Thierry Mermet will represent the company at the SIDO Washington Leadership Forum 2026 with our Globallians partners
About the SIDO Washington Leadership Forum 2026
The SIDO Washington Leadership Forum is organized by State International Development Organizations (SIDO). The Washington Leadership Forum is held annually to examine how U.S. states engage with international partners to support trade and investment.
Each year, discussions focus on:
- Trade and investment policy at the state level.
- Market access and compliance in practice.
- Public–private collaboration to support cross-border business.
Thus, this leadership forum is especially relevant for companies active in sourcing, manufacturing, supply chains, and market entry.
Key Themes Expected in 2026
While the full agenda will be confirmed closer to the event, several key topics are expected to shape discussions in 2026:
- International trade and investment frameworks, with a focus on compliance, implementation, and market access, informed by briefings from U.S. federal agencies and state trade offices.
- Trade policy and market development, reflecting shifts in geopolitics and supply chains, alongside discussions on export support, investment promotion, and trade financing tools.
- Cross-border cooperation, highlighting public–private collaboration to strengthen supply chains and economic growth.
- State-led trade strategy and coordination, including performance measurement and working sessions among U.S. state trade directors.
- Relationship-building and peer exchange, supported by structured networking, bilateral meetings, and subnational engagement.
This forum provides updates on how U.S. states respond to these changes and support international partners.
Overview Agenda of SIDO Forum 2026
Across four days, the forum combines policy briefings, working sessions, and structured networking:
- February 23: Board meetings and dinner, setting the direction for the forum
- February 24: Federal trade agenda briefing, meetings with Congressional and federal officials, state trade director working sessions, and a welcome reception
- February 25: Briefings with the White House, USTR, Department of Commerce, State Department, USDA, EXIM, and SBA, followed by networking sessions and discussions on cooperation between states and global partners.
- February 26: Embassy remarks, case study exercise with the Council on Foreign Relations, planning discussions, and closing embassy events
Throughout the forum, networking tables and structured meetings create space for direct, practical exchange between public and private sector leaders.
Who Attends this SIDO Forum 2026
The forum attracts a mix of public and private sector participants who are directly involved in international trade.
- U.S. state trade officials and government representatives attend from across the country. They work with exporters, investors, and foreign partners, and play a key role in how U.S. states support international business activities.
- International business and trade professionals also take part in the event. Many represent companies active in global sourcing, production, logistics, or investment.
This diversity creates practical discussions focused on real actions, where policy perspectives align with business realities.
Source of Asia Attends SIDO 2026 – A Third Consecutive Year
Source of Asia has taken part in every SIDO event in recent years, such as the SIDO Washington Leadership Forum (April 2025) and the SIDO Training & Best Practices Forum (September 2025), etc.
SOA’s CEO Thierry Mermet participated in the SIDO 2025 Training & Best Practices Forum in Maine, with Globallians partners
In three years in a row, we attend this SIDO leadership forum with clear and practical goals, including:
- Sharing its experience in Asian sourcing and supply chain management to policy-focused discussions.
- Share real project experience from working with international clients, manufacturers, and sourcing partners.
- Strengthen relationships with U.S. state trade offices, economic development agencies, and global partners.
- Explore Asia–U.S. trade & investment opportunities, identifying areas where Asian market expertise can support U.S. initiatives, and vice versa.
By attending the SIDO Washington Leadership Forum, Source of Asia stays close to how trade and investment policies are designed, interpreted, and applied in practice, allowing us to better support clients building reliable and compliant cross-border operations.
Connect with Source of Asia at SIDO 2026
In conclusion, SIDO events play a key role in fostering long-term relationships. By participating consistently, Source of Asia strengthens our network and maintains close, open communication with trade officials and industry peers.
Following the event, we will share selected updates and insights from the forum with our partners and clients, continuing the conversation beyond Washington, D.C.
👉 For more event information, please access the official page.
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