Countries taking part
30
6,500+
Brands have worked with WCRC
1 DAY
Summit, studio, business exchange and awards ceremony
27 MAY 2027
Gotham Hall, New York
01 — THE INVITATION
Event at a glance
WCRC invites your brand and its leadership to be recognised among the World's Leading Brands & Leaders 2027 at WCRC WorldStage, Gotham Hall, New York, on 27 May 2027.
| Event | WCRC WorldStage New York 2027 |
| Recognition | World's Leading Brands & Leaders 2027 |
| Venue | Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway at West 36th Street, Midtown Manhattan |
| The hall | A 1920s landmark with a 70-foot ceiling and a stained-glass skylight |
| Date | Thursday 27 May 2027 |
| Format | One day: daytime summit, evening awards ceremony and gala dinner |
| Participation | Brands and leaders from 30 countries across five regions |
| Who attends | Chairpersons, founders, CEOs, CMOs, investors, diplomats and media |
| Organiser | WCRC (World Centre for Research and Consulting) |
01 — THE INVITATION
About WCRC
WCRC (World Centre for Research and Consulting) is a global business research and recognition organisation that has worked with more than 6,500 brands worldwide.
01
Research first
Every honouree passes WCRC's research and evaluation before any recognition is offered.
02
Great stages
The House of Lords in London, Dubai, Mumbai, and now Gotham Hall, New York.
03
The company you keep
Honourees have shared the stage with statesmen, industrialists and leading names in business.
04
Lasting value
Editorial, film, photography and rankings keep working for your brand after the event.
01 — THE INVITATION
Why New York, why 2027
Reputation is company value
Brand Finance put the intangible assets of the world's largest companies at a record USD 97.6 trillion in 2025.
Emerging brands go global
Companies from India, the Gulf, South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America need credentials the US and Europe recognise.
Buyers want outside proof
Customers, recruits and AI assistants rely on third-party validation, rankings and media coverage.
Leaders are the face
A filmed interview and an award received in New York become lasting personal-brand assets.
Trade is being rerouted
A room with decision-makers from 30 countries is a practical place to find partners and capital.
New York gives weight
Home to the largest stock exchanges, the United Nations and much of the global business press.
Source: Brand Finance, Global Intangible Finance Tracker 2025
02 — THE RECOGNITION
World's Leading Brands & Leaders
| Honour | Who it recognises | Title conferred |
|---|---|---|
| World's Leading Brand 2027 | A company, product or service brand that leads its category in its market | World's Leading Brand 2027, with category and country |
| World's Leading Leader 2027 | A chairperson, founder, CEO or CXO with a record of building the business | World's Leading Leader 2027, with category and country |
| Combined | The brand and its leader, recognised together | Both titles, presented together on stage |
Each title names the category and the country, so every honour is specific to the honouree. The citation wording is agreed with you before the ceremony.
Brand categories
- Banking and financial services
- Insurance
- Technology and AI
- Healthcare and pharma
- Education
- Real estate and infrastructure
- Manufacturing and engineering
- Energy and sustainability
- Consumer goods and FMCG
- Retail and e-commerce
- Food and beverage
- Hospitality, travel and aviation
- Logistics
- Automotive and mobility
- Media and entertainment
- Fashion, beauty and luxury
- Professional services
- Emerging and challenger brands
Leader categories
- Chairperson of the Year
- Founder and Entrepreneur
- CEO
- Woman Leader
- CXO: marketing, finance, people, technology
- Next-generation Leader
- Social Impact Leader
02 — THE RECOGNITION
Research and evaluation
Selection is decided by WCRC's research. The participation fee is charged only after selection.
01
Identify
WCRC screens brands and leaders in each country and category.
02
Invite
Shortlisted names receive this proposal and an application form.
03
Questionnaire
You complete a structured submission with documents.
04
Verify
WCRC checks it against filings, media and customer ratings.
05
Interview
A recorded video interview with the leader or brand head.
06
Score
Each applicant is scored and compared with category peers.
07
Approve
The Advisory and Research board approves the final list.
08
Select
You receive the selection letter, title and citation draft.
09
Deliver
Profile, film and book work begin, leading to the ceremony.
10
Report
After the event you receive your research summary.
02 — THE RECOGNITION
What is evaluated
| Brands | Leaders |
|---|---|
| Market position and growth | Business results under their leadership |
| Customer trust and satisfaction | Vision and strategy |
| Innovation and product quality | Innovation and transformation delivered |
| Reputation and media record | People and culture |
| People and culture | Governance and integrity |
| Governance, sustainability and social impact | Industry and social contribution |
| International reach and ambition | International outlook |
03 — THE SUMMIT
One day, four parts
01
Global Business & Leadership Summit
Keynotes, panels and company presentations through the day.
02
WCRC Executive Studio
A filmed interview set inside the venue where honourees record leadership conversations.
03
International Business Exchange
Pre-scheduled meetings with partners, distributors and investors from other countries.
04
Awards ceremony and gala dinner
The World's Leading Brands & Leaders 2027 honours, presented in the evening under the dome.
The day at Gotham Hall
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | Registration and welcome coffee |
| 09:30 | Opening address by the WCRC Chairman |
| 09:45 | Opening keynote |
| 10:15 | Panel 1: Building global brands from emerging markets |
| 11:00 | Company presentations, part 1 |
| 11:45 | Networking and business meetings |
| 12:15 | Panel 2: Leadership in the age of AI |
| 13:00 | Leaders' lunch |
| 14:00 | Afternoon keynote |
| 14:20 | Panel 3: Capital, partnerships and entering new markets |
| 15:05 | Company presentations, part 2 |
| 15:45 | International Business Exchange |
| 17:00 | Executive Studio interviews |
| 18:00 | Red carpet and reception |
| 19:00 | World's Leading Brands & Leaders 2027 awards ceremony |
| 21:00 | Gala dinner |
| 22:30 | Close |
Timings are indicative and confirmed with the final agenda.
04 — AWARD DELIVERABLES
What every honouree receives
| Deliverable | Brand | Leader | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engraved WorldStage trophy | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Framed certificate signed by the WCRC Chairman | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Citation read on stage at the ceremony | Yes | Yes | Together |
| Formal selection letter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 12-month licence to use the title and seal | Brand title | Leader title | Both titles |
| Delegate passes: summit, ceremony, gala dinner | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Reserved seating at the ceremony | Yes | Yes | Front section |
| Red carpet and media wall photographs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| International Business Exchange meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Executive Studio interview, edited to 3 minutes | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Video clip of the award moment | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Professional award photographs | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Profile in the commemorative book | 2 pages | 2 pages | 4 pages |
| Permanent profile page on wcrcleaders.com | Brand | Leader | Both |
| Listing on the 2027 honour roll | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Named in WCRC's official press release | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Personalised press release | 1 | 1 | 1 joint |
| Social media announcement and winner kit | 1 post | 1 post | 2 posts |
| Research summary against category peers | Brand | Leader | Both |
| US visa invitation letter and coordinator | Yes | Yes | Yes |
04 — AWARD DELIVERABLES
What the award does for you
Credibility abroad
A research-based title received in New York is a credential that partners, buyers and investors abroad understand.
A year of content
The seal, film, photographs and profile supply your advertising, website, investor decks and social media.
Employer brand
Recognition gives your staff and recruits a visible reason for pride.
Leader visibility
The studio interview, profile and award build the leader's public standing.
Business connections
The room holds decision-makers from 30 countries, with meetings arranged in advance.
05 — VISIBILITY AND PARTNERSHIPS
Television feature
| Television feature | What you receive |
|---|---|
| Feature | One 6-minute or 12-minute feature on the brand, the leader, or both |
| Content | Leader interview, company story, products, customers and the award moment |
| Production | Script, filming, editing, graphics and voice-over, with two review rounds |
| Broadcast | One telecast on WCRC's television partner channel, plus one repeat |
| Digital | Released on the partner's digital platforms and WCRC's YouTube channel |
| Short edits | One 60-second and two 30-second versions for social media |
| Ownership | The master file is yours for your website, events and sales presentations |
| Credit | The right to state that you were featured on the channel |
Broadcast is scheduled within 90 days after the event. Filming is at the WCRC Executive Studio in New York and from footage you supply; crew travel elsewhere is charged at actual cost.
05 — VISIBILITY AND PARTNERSHIPS
Stage engagements
8 SLOTS
Company presentation
Ten minutes on the main stage to present your company, products or investment case, with your slides and film.
15 SEATS
Panel discussion
A seat on one of three 45-minute summit panels with four other leaders and a professional moderator.
2 SLOTS
Keynote speech
A 15-minute solo keynote on the main stage, introduced by the host.
Every engagement includes
- Your name, title, company and photograph in the printed and online agenda
- A full video recording of your session and photographs of you on stage
- A speaker announcement on WCRC social media channels
- One additional delegate pass for the speaker
05 — VISIBILITY AND PARTNERSHIPS
Sponsorship opportunities
| Partnership | Available | What the partner receives |
|---|---|---|
| Presenting Partner | 1 | Event named "presented by [Partner]". Logo beside the event title on stage, screens, media wall and book cover. One keynote, one panel seat, one company presentation. Gala table of 10. Sector exclusivity. |
| Powered-by Partner | 1 | "Powered by [Partner]" on stage, screens, media wall and communication. One keynote or company presentation and one panel seat. Gala table of 10. |
| Associate Partner | 4 | Logo on stage screens, media wall, website and book. One company presentation or panel seat. 6 delegate passes. |
| Gala Dinner Partner | 1 | Gala dinner hosted in your name. Branding on tables and menus, a welcome toast, a table of 10. |
| Executive Studio Partner | 1 | Your branding on the studio set and on every honouree interview film. 4 delegate passes. |
| Country Partner | 1 per country | Named partner for one country's delegation, a hosted table of 10, a welcome mention on stage. |
| International Business Exchange Partner | 1 | Branding of the meeting lounge and a hosted meeting table through the day. 4 delegate passes. |
| Knowledge Partner | 1 | Co-branded research paper released at the summit, a panel seat, logo in the book. |
| Red Carpet and Media Wall Partner | 1 | Logo on the media wall, which appears in every arrival and award photograph. |
| Badge and Lanyard Partner | 1 | Logo on every delegate badge and lanyard. |
05 — VISIBILITY AND PARTNERSHIPS
Why sponsor WorldStage
A rare audience
Chairpersons, founders and CEOs from 30 countries, in one room.
A buying audience
Companies expanding abroad need banks, advisers and technology.
Lasting visibility
Your brand stays in the films, photographs, book and TV features.
New York association
Your name sits beside the honours and a landmark venue.
Direct meetings
Introductions through the International Business Exchange.
Exclusivity
Single-slot partnerships are not shared with a competitor.
05 — VISIBILITY AND PARTNERSHIPS
Additional opportunities
| Option | What it is |
|---|---|
| Additional delegate pass | Summit, lunch, reception, ceremony and gala dinner for one more guest |
| Gala table of 10 | A reserved table for your team or clients, with your company name on it |
| Book advertisement, full page | Your artwork, printed and in the digital edition |
| Book advertisement, double spread | Your artwork across two pages |
| Showcase display | A branded display in the reception area for products or material |
| Extended research report | A benchmark against five named peers, with recommendations |
| Additional corporate film | A second 5-minute film by WCRC Studios for your own use |
| Private hosted dinner or roundtable | An invitation-only evening for up to 20 guests, hosted in your name |
| Additional trophy | A duplicate engraved trophy for another office or co-founder |
| Title and seal licence renewal | Use of the 2027 title and seal for a further 12 months |
06 — PRICING AND NEXT STEPS
Pricing
For pricing, please contact us. We will send you the fees for your chosen participation, the television feature, stage engagements and partnerships, with the full proposal.
06 — PRICING AND NEXT STEPS
Urgent deadlines
Titles are awarded by category and country and are reserved in order of payment. Act on each step as soon as you receive this proposal.
Questionnaire and leadership interview
Within 10 days of confirming
Profile text, photographs and logo
Within 15 days of confirming
Stage slots and sponsorships
Allotted in order of confirmation
06 — PRICING AND NEXT STEPS
How to confirm
- Reply to the WCRC team with your company, leader, country and chosen participation.
- Add any stage engagement, sponsorship or additional option.
- Complete the primary questionnaire and the leadership interview.
- Receive your selection letter and invoice, and pay to reserve your title.
Terms
- Recognition is subject to WCRC research and board approval.
- Fees are non-refundable once selection is confirmed and work has begun.
- If WCRC changes the event date, your participation carries over in full.
- The title and seal may be used for 12 months and must carry the year 2027.
- WCRC may use honouree names, logos, photographs and films in its publicity.
- Travel, accommodation and visa costs are the delegate's responsibility.
WCRC WORLDSTAGE — NEW YORK — 27 MAY 2027
The world.
One stage.
A. Ghosh, Chairman of the Board, WCRC Leaders