I remember that day clearly. During a virtual call with Mission Law Firm in Korea, the conversation turned to a truth I had always sensed but had never fully articulated: when people arrive in a new country, what they really seek is trusted, verified connections—connections you cannot simply find online. And more importantly, someone to manage and nurture those connections.
Later that afternoon, I attended the Non-Profit Summit in New York, and the scene hit me again from a different angle. Here were some of the most globally respected local organizations—museums, arts councils, municipal programs—all struggling with the same issue: trying to solve complex challenges in isolation. Fundraising hurdles, missed partnerships, untapped potential. It was clear: if these organizations had been effectively connected to global initiatives, everyone would win. Yet, despite being surrounded by opportunity, they couldn’t see it.
Not-For-Profit Summit 2025
Reflecting on my 11 years of experience building bcdW Magazine and orchestrating over 5,000 meaningful connections, I realized how perfectly this work aligns with the quality of connection people truly need. Each interaction, every bridge built between global initiatives and local communities, reinforces the idea that connections are only valuable when they are curated and trusted.
That was the moment I understood why we needed to evolve. Not just a new name—but a new way to think about connection.
From A-to-A Project to A-TO-A Connect
Originally, this initiative was called A-to-A Project, a name that served as a placeholder for our vision. While functional, it didn’t fully convey the active purpose and energy of what we were building.
So we renamed it A-TO-A Connect. The change is subtle but meaningful. Along with this, “Meet the Table” became the A-TO-A Connect Stage, a platform where every participant is asked:
What they bring
Who they are looking for
How they can contribute to the community
“The Stage transforms passive participation into active engagement, turning intentions into real connections.”
Three Roles, One Community
We realized that the power of A-TO-A Connect lies in clarity of roles. Everyone in the community falls into one of three categories:
The Seekers – people looking for connections, partners, or opportunities.
The Connectors – individuals or organizations who actively create bridges between people, ideas, and opportunities.
The Connected – those open to collaboration, contributing to the community while benefiting from it.
Three type of people should be on the same table.
This simple framework ensures that every interaction has purpose, making each connection tangible and actionable.
Global-Local Synergy
The beauty of A-TO-A Connect is how it leverages expats and immigrant leaders. Their unique position—rooted in their homelands but living locally—creates opportunities that would otherwise remain invisible. Through them, our Stage and community can:
Solve local problems by connecting global knowledge to local realities
Generate jobs and economic activity that are tangible and measurable
Build sustainable networks that continue long after the event ends
Why This Matters
A-TO-A Connect is not a relaunch. It is a refinement of a vision, a recognition that names, structure, and trusted connections matter when creating a framework for real-world impact.
On October 15, 2025, the Stage will be more than a platform. It will be a living ecosystem of collaboration—global brands, startups, local leaders, creatives, and innovators converging to turn intention into impact.
“Connect is not just a word. It is a promise: to make invisible opportunities visible, and to transform potential into tangible results. My 11 years of experience have shown me that curated, quality connections are the engine that drives real change.”
Event Details
📅 Date: October 15, 2025
📍 Location: To be announced, New York City
🌐 Website: www.a-to-a.com
🌐 Lu.Ma: https://luma.com/45emlejx
🌐 Supremomos: https://www.supermomos.com/events/a-a-project-launch?ref=paulkang
Editor’s Note
A-TO-A Connect Stage is a continuation of mcdW Magazine’s 11-year mission to connect local organizations and companies with global partners. Over 5,000 successful connections—including New York City institutions, Hyundai Motors, SK, Mount Sinai Hospitals, KAIST, NYU, and numerous startups—have demonstrated the power of direct global-local collaboration.
This event is designed to bring together innovators, institutions, investors, and creatives to explore meaningful partnerships, create local jobs, and develop solutions for New York’s challenges. We invite you to be part of this unique stage where global meets local.