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School has started and summer is ending. But the tourist season isn’t over. For many travelers, now is the best time to travel. Instead of sun, surf, and sand, these travelers want what the great indoors offer. Tourism is a significant year-round contributor to the economy. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that in 2024, it contributed $10.9 trillion or 10% of global GDP, supporting 357 million jobs, or one in 10. (Source: World Travel & Tourism Council)
In Delaware, tourism contributed $4.7 billion to the state’s GDP or more than 5% in 2023, adding $724 million in tax revenue. Without that, each household would have had to pay an additional $1,826 in state and local taxes. Tourism supports 55,240 full- and part-time jobs and is the fourth-largest employer in the state. (Source: Delaware Tourism Office).
Much of this indoor tourism is tied to the arts.
When you see Michelangelo’s David, attend an opera performance at La Scala or The Nutcracker at your local high school, a Taylor Swift or Rolling Stones concert, or a movie featuring Delaware actress Aubrey Plaza, you don’t see the infrastructure supporting the arts. An entire logistics industry exists to move performers, artwork, sets, instruments, costumes, designers, tradespeople and equipment from one location to the next. The only U.S. Foreign Trade Zone warehouse exclusively for artwork is in Delaware.
Programs, photographs, posters, print and electronic advertising need to be written, drawn, generated and produced. Everything from lumber to lightbulbs, microphones to microfiber, paint to posterboard can be used as raw materials for a single project or performance. Traveling companies employ local electricians, plumbers, sound technicians, florists, musicians, carpenters, theater ushers and videographers. A financial subsector exists to serve the arts, whether funding a potential mega blockbuster or a small community theater. From 2022 to 2023, arts employment has grown 2.3% in Delaware, compared with an increase of 0.3% for the United States. (Source: National Endowment of the Arts and the Bureau of Economic Analysis) Art is a business and a very important contributor to the world economy.
It is with great pride that WTC Delaware is presenting a symposium, Art Means Business: It’s Not Just a Luxury, It’s a Necessity on October 7 to launch the Wilmington International Film Festival, from October 9 to 12. The goal of the forum is to “foster understanding, build relationships, and explore practical solutions for the successful intersection of art and business.” The festival features 56 films from 18 countries, live music, international food, the Film Brothers Festival of Shorts, business and industry networking events, and a screenwriting contest for adults and students with a prize of turning the script into a film.
This year’s International Delaware™ magazine will focus on the state’s arts and media sector, from the traditional to new forms such as computer gaming and AI-generated graphic design. Delaware is rated as the country’s best state for remote work (Source: Delaware Prosperity Partnership and WalletHub 2025), with a convenient location for artists, producers, designers and performers to create and collaborate. Delaware is known for its affordability, low property prices and taxes. Whether you are an artist or support the arts, International Delaware magazine is the place to be. To participate in what will be our most exciting edition, please contact Holli Muffler at holli.muffler@todaymediacustom.com or 302-729-2907.
Tariff and trade regulations continue to be a focus of our training this year. We are offering two webinars on September 18 and 24 and an in-person event on October 17 to show you how to respond to new developments. We look forward to seeing you at our many events. And, as always, contact us with all of your trade questions.
| | Tariffs and Trades Webinars | |
Webinar Hosted by WTC Delaware
Session 1
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You’re invited to two insightful webinars on tariffs and trade to help you comply with significant changes in rates and regulations.
Don’t miss this opportunity. Be sure to register for both sessions.
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Webinar Hosted by WTC Delaware
Session 2
| | WTC Delaware Premier Members | |
Learn more about Delaware Business Times
| | Enstructure Job Fair: September 24 | | Join WTC Delaware at Art Means Business! | | |
The Film Brothers, a Wilmington-based creative agency, is highlighting the impact of the arts on Delaware’s economy through their campaign, "Art Means Business." The campaign features stories from local artists and creative professionals whose work drives economic growth, builds community and supports the state’s cultural identity.
Using powerful video storytelling, Art Means Business amplifies the voices of musicians, visual artists, filmmakers and others, showing how Delaware’s creative economy contributes to industries across the state. Presented by World Trade Center Delaware, the event takes place on October 7.
Tickets are going fast; buy yours now: filmbrothers.com/artmeansbusiness
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Advertise in International Delaware
| | Navigating New Duty Regulations | | |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued new guidelines for calculating duties on international mail shipments that were duty-free under De Minimis treatment. This change, effective August 29, 2025, means that carriers and qualified parties must collect and remit duties to CBP using one of two new methods.
To learn how to comply with these new tariff regulations, register for our webinar series.
| | Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) Webinar | | |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Trade is hosting a webinar on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. ET titled Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA). The webinar will provide an overview of the EAPA process and how to file an EAPA allegation with CBP.
To register for this free webinar, click here. All registrants will receive the access link for the webinar the day before the event, but entry into the webinar is on a first-come, first-served basis as seats are limited. Previously recorded webinars will be available for replay at Trade Outreach Webinars | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov).
This webinar is a part of CBP’s Continuing Education Program. The number of credits and credit code will be provided at the end webinar.
If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact OTRwebinars@cbp.dhs.gov.
| | TRADE OPPORTUNITIES & TENDERS | | |
WTC Delaware provides a full range of international trade-related services with an in-depth focus on the export/import of services and manufactured goods. These pages contain brief information on opportunities that could offer exciting possibilities for U.S. companies in various industry sectors.
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BULGARIA: Consultancy service for Radioactive Waste Management
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INDONESIA: Bidding for onshore and offshore oil & gas blocks
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NIGERIA: Seeking U.S. suppliers of solar panels, inverters, and batteries
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SOUTH AFRICA: Seeking U.S. partners for gas pipeline development
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TOGO: Tender for a $10.6M rural electrification project
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AZERBAIJAN: U.S. firms invited to the Azerbaijan Medical Expo 2025
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EL SALVADOR: Tender for ambulance procurement by National Police and Military
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PALAU: Feasibility study for the relocation of Belau National Hospital
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POLAND: Seeks U.S. partner for a robotic surgery training program
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SAUDI ARABIA: Opportunity for U.S. manufacturers of surgical and medical products
View the most recent trade leads here.
Delaware companies: Please fill out our trade leads form so we can market your products or services!
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September 18, 2025
Webinar: Getting It Right at Customs: Navigating HS Codes and
Rules of Origin, Session 1
September 24, 2025
Webinar: Smarter Tariff Strategies, Session 2
October 7, 2025
Art Means Business, Wilmington, DE
October 17, 2025
Turning Global Challanges into Business Growth, Wilmington, DE
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A jewel in downtown Wilmington, Hotel Du Pont combines historic grandeur with contemporary comfort. The 1913 Italian Renaissance-style landmark has earned top honors from U.S. News & World Report and Condé Nast Traveler, solidifying its reputation as Delaware’s premier hotel. Its 217 rooms and suites, with the celebrated brasserie Le Cavalier, offer a luxurious experience.
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September 16-17, 2025
13th ADB Business Opportunities Fair 2025, Manila, Philippines
September 21-25, 2025
Advanced Manufacturing Business Development Mission to Türkiye and Poland; U.S. Commerical Service and International Trade Administration
September 23, 2025
Policy Makers Series, Wilmington, DE; New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
September 24, 2025
Enstructure Job Fair & Career Expo, Wilmington, DE
September 30, 2025
Tariffs & Trade: The New Rules of Engagement, Philadelphia, PA; BABCPHL
October 7-10, 2025
MSV 2025, Czech Republic
October 27 - November 18, 2025
Days of Eurasian-American Innovation Entrepreneurship Cooperation (RAVC), Philadelphia, PA; MAEBC/MARBC
November 3-18, 2025
25th Annual Eurasian-American Innovation Technology Week (RANIT), Philadelphia, PA; MAEBC/MARBC
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| | World Trade Center® Delaware is the state’s premier international business resource. We help companies, especially small, medium-sized and emerging enterprises, to grow their international business. We provide trade leads, training programs, job leads, networking, matchmaking, trade mission and reverse trade mission opportunities for Delaware companies. We serve all types of companies in various sectors including agriculture, environmental remediation, IT, medical equipment manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, financial, legal and real estate services. For more information visit us at www.wtcde.org. | | Copyright © 2025. All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
