On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) celebrated 100 years with its Centennial World Trade Dinner and Award Ceremony at the elegant and historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Senior U.S. government officials, diplomats and executives of global companies attended the black tie event. Notable guests included the Ambassadors of Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, Philippines, Oman and Yemen, as well as New Zealand Ambassador to the United States Mike Moore – a former Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Former U.S. Trade Representatives Susan Schwab and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), U.S. International Trade Commission Chairwoman Meredith Broadbent, and last year's World Trade Award honoree Fred Bergsten were also in attendance.

The celebration began with a cocktail reception, followed by a three-course dinner and program, during which guests heard from former and current policymakers on the importance of trade. Guests also enjoyed a live musical performance featuring the music of every era from the 1910s through today.

NFTC Chairman Alan Wolff, Senior Counsel, International Trade Practice, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, opened the program with introductory remarks.

"This is a very special occasion. It's a time for celebration of America's central role in continually improving the world trading system and the celebration of the NFTC's part in supporting that record of achievement. In 100 years, the NFTC has always been there when it is needed. It has never waivered."

Former U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Hills & Company, served as master of ceremonies and welcomed guests following Ambassador Wolff's remarks.

"We have a great deal to celebrate. We should be so proud of the Council's role after World War II supporting America's leadership in rebuilding war-torn markets and in constructing a global trade regime that dramatically advanced not only our own nation's well-being, but that of the world."

Ambassador Hills then presented Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) the 2014 NFTC World Trade Award for his lifetime commitment to advancing policies which open markets around the world for U.S. goods, services and investment. In his remarks, Senator Hatch emphasized the need for Congress and the Administration to promote a robust trade agenda.

"I am quite optimistic that 2015 can be a real turning point in U.S. trade policy. 2015 can be the year that Congress and the Administration join together to actively promote a U.S. trade agenda that will open up new opportunities for the American worker. One of our first steps will be advancing legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority."

President Barack Obama delivered a special video message, introduced by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, commending the NFTC's "100 years of promoting American commerce" and highlighting the benefits of trade.

In the video message, President Obama said:

"Today, more than ever, bolstering international trade is critical to growing America's economy and advancing American leadership. … That's why we're working so hard to negotiate and finalize new trade agreements that will link the United States more closely with countries across both the Pacific and the Atlantic and will deliver benefits for all our people."

In her remarks, Jarrett also highlighted the importance of trade.

"The benefits of trade have been especially clear during the recent years. Since 2009, trade has contributed one-third of our economic growth, and during the past five years, the increase in American exports has supported an additional 1.6 million jobs. That's the message that we have to get out, strongly and clearly, across our country."

Senator Rob Portman, a former U.S. Trade Representative, also stopped by and delivered a few remarks on the occasion following the President's video presentation. Like Senator Hatch, Senator Portman called for the renewal of Trade Promotion Authority.

"Let's start the next century with a Trade Promotion Authority agreement. Therefore, the ability to complete what I think could be an ambitious and very economically advantageous agreement, not just for us but for the entire Pacific Rim countries and Latin American countries involved, a TPP that works; a TTIP that takes the largest trading relationship in the world and makes it more efficient and effective; and let's move on from there."

Following Senator Portman, Ambassador Hills introduced Stefan Selig, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, who highlighted the NFTC's partnership with the International Trade Administration (ITA) over the years.

"The NFTC and the International Trade Administration have had a great partnership over the years focusing on helping U.S. companies succeed in exporting. I look forward to ushering in your next 100 years by working closely with you during my tenure as head of ITA."

General Electric (GE) Chairman & CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt was then honored with the inaugural NFTC Trade Leadership for the Digital Age award, which was accepted on Mr. Immelt's behalf by GE Vice President and Senior Counsel Karan Bhatia, a former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. The award was presented by NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Issues and Global Innovation Forum Executive Director Jake Colvin.

On the award, Ambassador Bhatia stated:

"On behalf of my Chairman Jeff Immelt, I am … delighted to be accepting this award for him and for General Electric tonight. Jeff is deeply honored to be selected as the recipient of the NFTC's first digital trade award, particularly at such a momentous event as tonight's 100th anniversary celebration."

The evening wrapped up with door prizes from the event's generous sponsors, and attendees were also given special gifts as they left.

Thank you to all who attended the event, and a special thanks to our sponsors. If you weren't able to attend this year's dinner, we hope you can make it next year! Please stay tuned for details.

Click here to view photos from the event.

Click here to read a press release on the event.

For more information, contact James Wilkinson, NFTC Vice President for Strategy and Growth at 202-464-2021 or jwilkinson@nftc.org.