International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans (IFFCBANO) Receives Presidential Award for Export Service

International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans (IFFCBANO) Receives Presidential Award for Export Service

On May 28, 2014, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented the International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Kristiann App, President of IFFCBANO; and John Hyatt, Past President of IFFCBANO, were present to receive the award from Secretary Pritzker.

“The President’s “E” Award winners are fantastic American businesses and organizations that have played a crucial role in strengthening and growing our economy through increased U.S. exports,” said Secretary Pritzker. “By selling Made-in-America goods and services internationally, U.S. business can grow faster, hire more employees, pay higher wages, and help spread American ideas, innovation and values. Congratulations to the International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans for its export achievement, which helps local communities in Louisiana and the nation remain competitive in the global marketplace.”

U.S. exports of goods and services hit an all-time record of $2.3 trillion in 2013. Nationally, jobs supported by exports reached more than 11 million last year, up 1.6 million since 2009. Launched earlier this month, NEI/Next, a new phase of President Obama’s National Export Initiative, works to boost economic growth and support additional American jobs by assisting more U.S. companies of all sizes in exporting to more markets across the globe.

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. 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.

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.

A total of 65 U.S. companies were presented with the President’s “E” Award this year.