SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (November 5, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) the 2021 President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports and is given by the President of the United States.

“World Trade Center Utah has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The ‘E’ Awards Committee was very impressed with your organization’s trade missions, including virtual trade missions. The organization’s contribution to export success achieved by its clients was also particularly notable. The World Trade Center Utah’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in her congratulatory letter to WTC Utah.

“We are honored to accept this prestigious award from the president and Commerce Department. The recognition and credit goes out to each member of our incredible team as well as the hundreds of Utah companies that are engaging in trade and business across the world,” said Miles Hansen, World Trade Center Utah president and CEO. “Our state has phenomenal businesses who innovate and develop products that change lives worldwide. The resources that World Trade Center Utah provides is simply to enable their pathway to success in the global marketplace.”

World Trade Center Utah leads the state’s international business development and elevates Utah’s global status to promote prosperity and build economic resilience. Utah has the highest export growth rate in the nation for the past two years with Utah businesses exporting over $17.3 billion in goods last year. The impact from WTC Utah’s services and programs has led to approximately $250 million in new trade opportunities for Utah companies—creating hundreds of jobs and bolstering economic growth over the past five years. 

“The U.S. Commercial Service of Utah congratulates the World Trade Center Utah on receiving the President’s “E” Award today in recognition of its significant contributions to the expansion of U.S. exports through the international work that it does in the state,” said Shelby Daiek, director of the U.S. Commercial Service Utah. “The U.S. Commercial Service promotes trade and investment, and our long-standing work with the World Trade Center Utah has enabled us to provide export outreach, education, and assistance to more Utah businesses to help those businesses achieve international success. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the World Trade Center Utah in taking Utah businesses global!”

In total, the Commerce Department honored seven U.S. companies and organizations with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service from across the country for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders.

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service, part of the Department’s International Trade Administration. With offices across the United States and in embassies and consulates around the world, The International Trade Administration lends its expertise at every stage of the exporting process by promoting and facilitating exports and investment into the United States; administering Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties orders; and removing, reducing, or preventing foreign trade barriers.

Download the award ceremony photos here.

About World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah)

World Trade Center Utah accelerates growth for Utah companies through our global networks, programs, and services making Utah the Crossroads of the World, One Business at a Time. World Trade Center Utah’s ability to fulfill our mission and achieve our vision depends on building our three core competencies—our networks, our programs, and our services—and leveraging them on behalf of Utah businesses. Go to www.wtcutah.com to learn more.

About the “E” Awards

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies which demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for the company’s clients.  

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov .