On Wednesday, July 17, the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) and the Washington International Trade Foundation (WITF) hosted their annual Awards Dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC). This year’s dinner honored Senator Chuck Grassley, Representative Suzan Delbene and Representative Jackie Walorksi.

The Annual Awards Dinner, held each summer, hosted by the WITF, is WITA’s signature event. The dinner attracts hundreds of top decision makers, policy shapers, and trade experts from D.C. and around the world. The dinner provides an excellent opportunity for members to connect with other trade professionals, business leaders, and dignitaries in a celebratory setting. The Awards Dinner is the biggest trade event of the year in Washington, DC. The highlight of the evening is the presentation of our various awards, such as the American Leadership Award and the Congressional Leadership Award, given to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in the field of international trade. Past honorees have included Members of Congress, Senators, United States Trade Representatives and other Cabinet and Sub-cabinet level officials. Another tradition at the dinner is the honoring of an impactful individual in the trade policy community with the Lighthouse Award. Kept secret until the night of the dinner, the Lighthouse is awarded in recognition of the contributions the individual has made over the course of his/her career to trade policy, the understanding of global trade, or expanding the benefits of global trade.