The Port of Los Angeles' Trade Connect program received the President's "E Star" Award, the highest honor from the Department of Commerce for promoting exports. Trade Connect offers workshops to educate small and mid-sized companies on exporting goods and services. Since 2007, it has helped over 15,000 people and participated in international trade shows. The award recognizes the Port's success in strengthening the local and national economy through international trade.

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2. U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award for Export Service through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. and
Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department’s International Trade Administration, which
has offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries, to help U.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.
Trade Connect is an outreach program that offers a series of workshops to small and midsize American companies to
educate them on the opportunities, costs and requirements of exporting their goods and services. Trainings range
from introductory courses on the basics of commercial transactions, foreign markets, financing, documentation and
logistics, to advanced seminars on international demand for specific products and emerging global consumer
markets. Speakers include government experts and trade representatives from key federal, state and local agencies
that promote and regulate trade. Professional associations such as the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight
Forwarders Association also provide expert speakers.
The Port of Los Angeles launched Trade Connect in 2007 in response to the imbalance between U.S. spending on
foreign goods and sales of U.S. products to international markets. This imbalance is reflected in ships leaving the
Port with load factors generally lower than 50%. Increasing exports increases revenue to the Port. The program
supports President Obama’s 2010 National Export Initiative aimed at closing America’s trade deficit by growing its
exports abroad and thereby also increasing employment.
Since its inception, Trade Connect has held more than 150 workshops and events attended by more than 15,000
people. The program also has participated in trade shows in Hong Kong and Japan and has drawn nearly 5,000
people to exhibits showcasing California companies and their products.
Workshops are offered throughout Southern California. California’s food and beverage industry; fashion and
accessories; medical, dental and veterinarian equipment and supplies; aerospace and aircraft parts; environmental
remediation equipment; and health and beauty products are in demand overseas and have tremendous potential for
export growth.
In response to a request from grain producers in the Midwest, Trade Connect staff conducted an introductory export
workshop in Iowa in 2012. Also last year, Trade Connect offered its first workshop in Spanish. In April, it held its first
workshop in Mandarin.
Port Deputy Executive Director of Development Mike Christensen and Director of Trade Development Jim MacLellan,
who started and manages the Trade Connect program, accepted the award on the Port’s behalf. The honor allows
the Port to fly the award’s signature blue and white banner, display its certificate of commendation, wear and issue
employees an “E” lapel pin, and refer to the award in advertising Trade Connect programs.
President Kennedy revived the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s
exporters. The “E” Award Program was established by Executive Order 10978 on December 5, 1961. A total of 57
U.S. companies were presented with the President’s “E” Award this year.
Today’s ceremony marks the second time the Port of Los Angeles has received the President’s “E Star” Award for
excellence in promoting export trade. President Ronald Reagan awarded the honor to the Port in 1983.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic
and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it
serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port
generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los
Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.

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4. “We need to, as a state and a nation, to fully be committed to promoting exports as a means for economic
development,” said Williamson.
“Globalization really affects every enterprise—either direct or indirectly. As we start moving toward the year 2020, for
example, there will be nearly a billion middle class consumers in Asia and Southeast Asia. What this means is that
$10 trillion consumption or purchasing power. So we’re going to have almost a whole U.S. economy in Asia.”
The Presidential “E” Award was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. To date, more than 2,500 firms have
been recognized.
“We are honored by this recognition by the White House. Our community college efforts in exporting align well with
the Governor’s emphasis on growing jobs.”
“The California Community Colleges CITD’s have been a valued partner for GoBiz in implementing its global trade
agenda, particularly in supporting small businesses to expand globally,” said GoBiz Director Kish Rajan. “We
congratulate them on this national award and look forward to many years of continued mutual support.”
California's exporting has lost some of its power over the last decade and anything to help the businesses working to
sell overseas should benefit creating jobs right here in the Golden State.
CHAMBER RECEIVES PRESIDENT'S "E STAR" AWARD AT WHITE HOUSE
In May at an awards ceremony at the White House, the Chamber received the President's "E
Star" Award for Export Service in recognition of the Chamber's continued achievement in
making significant contributions to the increase of U.S. exports. "This Administration is
committed to leveling the playing field for American businesses and workers to help U.S.
companies build things here and sell them around the world," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce
John Bryson, above at the ceremony today. "It is organizations like the L.A. Area Chamber that
are helping to grow our economy and put more Americans back to work." Contact Carlos J.
Valderrama, 213.580.7570.
Pictured from left, Secretary Bryson, Chamber Senior Vice
President of Global Initiatives Carlos J. Valderrama and Rep.
Janice Hahn. Photo by: RDavid Original Photography.

5. Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Receives President's 'E Star' Award for
International Trade Efforts
May 17, 2012 9:00 am
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded the
President’s “E Star” Award today for export service in recognition of the Chamber’s continued
achievement in making significant contributions to the increase of U.S. exports.
L.A. Area Chamber Senior Vice President Carlos Valderrama received the award on behalf of
the Chamber during a special ceremony at the White House. The award was presented by U.S.
Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson.
“This is the highest recognition any group can receive for work in international trade, which is
why we are proud to be here to today to receive the honor,” Valderrama said. “Exporting has
been and will continue to be one of the Chamber’s top priorities because we understand the
positive gains that result from increased trade.”
The L.A. Area Chamber recognizes that the future of our economy is tied to international trade.
The Chamber's Global Initiatives Committee fosters the development and access to foreign
markets for local companies and provides global matchmaking services to foreign entities
seeking U.S. joint venture partners, distributors and retailers.
“I am pleased to recognize the L.A. Area Chamber for receiving the President’s “E Star” Award,
which honors organizations that make significant contributions toward increasing U.S. exports,”
Secretary Bryson said. “This Administration is committed to leveling the playing field for
American businesses and workers to help U.S. companies build things here and sell them
around the world. It is organizations like the L.A. Area Chamber that are helping to grow our
economy and put more Americans back to work.”
U.S. organizations are nominated for the “E Star” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service
office network in 108 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries. The primary criterion for the “E
Star” Award is four years of successive export growth or of supporting the export growth of
others. “E Star” Awards are awarded to applicants that can demonstrate a significant
contribution to U.S. export expansion that is measurable, innovative, sustainable and has broad
impact.