WITA/WITF Annual Dinner
The Annual Membership Dinner, typically held each summer, hosted by the Washington International Trade Foundation, 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.
Organized by WITA’s sister organization, the 501(c)(3) Washington International Trade Foundation (WITF), the Annual Dinner is the biggest trade event of the year in Washington, DC. The event is a fundraiser to support WITA and WITF’s trade education activities throughout the year.
Attendees
This event is considered “widely attended” under both House & Senate Gift Rules.
All guests invited will be required to be fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 within 24 hours of the event. WITA reserves the right to update these requirements to address health and safety issues at the time of the Annual Dinner.
Awards
- The highlight of the event is the presentation of awards to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in the field of international trade. Past honorees (listed below) 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 our 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. Prior recipients can be found at the bottom of this page.
Location
The WITA/WITF Annual Dinner (#TradeProm) is hosted at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, located in downtown Washington D.C. at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
WITA and the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center will use the utmost caution and care for our event planners, attendees, and staff following all CDC and Washington D.C. guidelines.
“Trade Prom”
The Annual Dinner is packed with a ‘Who’s Who’ of trade policy professionals–over 500 attendees each year. It’s no wonder it’s come to be known as “Trade Prom”!
At this time, individual reception-only tickets are available for both members and non-members. To purchase individual tickets to the reception, please click here.
For more information, please contact Diego Anez, danez@wita.org
2023-WITA-Annual-Dinner-Sponsor-Details-WITA/WITF Sponsorship Levels
Diamond Level Sponsor Investment: $15,000
- Elite table at the WITA/WITF Annual Dinner*
- Executive Group Membership for all employees
- Unlimited free access to regular WITA policy webinars for all employees
- One free pass to the Virtual Intensive Trade Seminar
- One free pass to every in-person WITA policy event
- Member pricing for all in-person events
- Discounted rates for the Conference, Congressional Trade Agenda, and Intensive Trade Seminar
- Diamond Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, and at all in-person events, promotional materials and signage
- Opportunity for logoed contributions to WITA/WITF Annual Dinner Gift Bag
- ½ page logoed congratulatory statement to honorees featured during Annual Dinner slideshow and in printed program
- Logo-Link on WITA’s website
Platinum Level Sponsor Investment: $12,500
- Premier table at the WITA/WITF Annual Dinner*
- Executive Group Membership for all employees
- Unlimited free access to regular WITA policy webinars for all employees
- 20 free passes to in-person WITA policy events**
- Member pricing for all in-person events
- Discounted rates for the Conference, Congressional Trade Agenda, and Intensive Trade Seminar
- Platinum Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, and at all in-person events, promotional materials and signage
- Opportunity for logoed contributions to WITA/WITF Annual Dinner Gift Bag
- ¼ page logoed congratulatory statement to honorees featured during Annual Dinner slideshow and in printed program
- Logo-Link on WITA’s website
Gold Level Sponsor Investment: $10,000
- Preferred table at the WITA/WITF Annual Dinner*
- Executive Group Membership for all employees
- Unlimited free access to regular WITA policy webinars for all employees
- 10 free passes to in-person WITA policy events**
- Member pricing for all in-person events
- Discounted rates for the Conference, Congressional Trade Agenda, and Intensive Trade Seminar
- Gold Level recognition at the Annual Dinner
- Opportunity for logoed contributions to WITA/WITF Annual Dinner Gift Bag
- Logo-Link on WITA’s website
Silver Level Sponsor Investment: $8,000
- Table at the WITA/WITF Annual Dinner*
- Executive Group Membership for all employees
- Unlimited free access to regular WITA policy webinars for all employees
- 5 free passes to in-person WITA policy events**
- Member pricing for all in-person events
- Discounted rates for the Conference, Congressional Trade Agenda, and Intensive Trade Seminar
- Silver Level recognition at the Annual Dinner
- Opportunity for logoed contributions to WITA/WITF Annual Dinner Gift Bag
- Logo-Link on WITA’s website
Major Contributor Investment: $5,000
- Half table at the WITA/WITF Annual Dinner*
- Executive Group Membership for all employees
- Unlimited free access to regular WITA policy webinars for all employees
- 5 free passes to in-person WITA policy events**
- Member pricing for all in-person events
- Discounted rates for the Conference, Congressional Trade Agenda, and Intensive Trade Seminar
- Major Contributor Level recognition at the Annual Dinner
- Opportunity for logoed contributions to WITA/WITF Annual Dinner Gift Bag
- Logo-Link on WITA’s website
*Given adherence to COVID-19 restrictions, table sizes will vary depending on CDC and Washington D.C. guidelines.
**Free passes not available for use at all WITA events. After free passes are used, event member rate applies.
For a personalized invoice, please let us know!
Past Honorees & Speakers at the WITA / WITF Annual Dinner
2022
Rep. Ron Kind, Distinguished Service Award
Senator Pat Toomey, Distinguished Leadership Award
Ambassador Carla A. Hills, Lifetime Achievement Award
Jennifer A. Hillman, WITA Lighthouse Award
Master of Ceremonies: Ambassador Rufus Yerxa
2021
Rep. Richard Neal, Congressional Leadership Award
Rep. Kevin Brady, Lifetime Achievement Award
Ambassador Rufus Yerxa, Lifetime Achievement Award
Florizelle Liser, WITA Lighthouse Award
Master of Ceremonies: Ambassador Susan Schwab
2020
Due to COVID-19, WITA hosted a Virtual Annual Dinner featuring Award Winning Chef Danny Lledó of Xiquet. Due to the online format of the event, WITA did not have an honoree in 2020.
2019
Senator Chuck Grassley, The American Leadership Award
Rep. Suzan DelBene, The Congressional Leadership Award
Rep. Jackie Walorski, The Congressional Leadership Award
MC: John Veroneau
See our 2019 Annual Awards Dinner Highlights here.
2018
Senator Ben Cardin, Congressional Leadership Award
Senator Pat Roberts, Congressional Leadership Award
Secretary Sonny Perdue, American Leadership Award
Laura Baughman, Lighthouse Award
See our 2018 Annual Awards Dinner Highlights here.
2017
Rep. Rick Larsen, Congressional Leadership Award
Senator Jeff Flake, Congressional Leadership Award
Meredith Broadbent, Lighthouse Award
See our 2017 Annual Awards Dinner Highlights here
2016
Secretary Penny Pritzker, Global Leadership Award
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Congressional Leadership Award
Rep. David Reichert, Congressional Leadership Award
Bill Lane, Lighthouse Award
William Reinsch, Lighthouse Award
MC: Nicole Venable
See our 2016 Annual Awards Dinner Highlights here
2015
Rep. Paul Ryan, Congressional Leadership Award
Senator Orrin Hatch, Congressional Leadership Award
Senator Ron Wyden, Congressional Leadership Award
Ambassador Mike Moore, Lifetime Achievement Award
Everett Eissenstat, Lighthouse Award
MC: Nicole Venable
See our 2015 Annual Awards Dinner Highlights here
2014
Rep. Charles Boustany, Jr., MD, Congressional Leadership Award
Rep. Ron Kind, Congressional Leadership Award
Ambassador Michael Punke, Distinguished Service Award
Ambassador Clayton Yeutter, Lifetime Achievement Award
Wendy Cutler, Lighthouse Award
MC: Ambassador Peter Allgeier
2013
Chairman Dave Camp, Distinguished Leadership in International Trade
USTR Michael Froman, Distinguished Leadership in International Trade
Rep. Gregory Meeks, Distinguished Leadership in International Trade
Ed Gresser, Lighthouse Award
MC: Ambassador Peter Allgeier
2012
USTR Ron Kirk, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. David Dreier, Lifetime Achievement Award
Jutta Hennig, Lighthouse Award
MC: Grant Aldonas 2011
2011
Senator Rob Portman, Distinguished Service Award
Senator John Kerry, Distinguished Service Award
Angela Ellard and Viji Rangaswami, Lighthouse Award
Keynote address by USTR Ron Kirk
2010
Senator Max Baucus, Lifetime Achievement Award
Ambassador Jon Huntsman, Distinguished Service Award
R. Scott Miller, Lighthouse Award
Keynote address by former USTR Susan Schwab
MC: Dan Glickman
2009
Rep. Kevin Brady, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. Joe Crowley, Distinguished Service Award
Frank and Regina Vargo, Lighthouse Award
Keynote address by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
MC: Jim Kolbe
2008
United States Trade Representative Susan Schwab, Distinguished Service Award
R.K. “Judge” Morris, Lighthouse Award
Keynote address by former USTR Rob Portman
MC: Cal Dooley
2007
WITA’s 25th Anniversary: Celebrating of a Quarter Century of Trade Leadership
Keynote address by Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez
MC: John Castellani Business Roundtable
2006
Rep. Charles Rangel, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. Jim Kolbe, Lifetime Achievement Award
Keynote address by Senator Hillary Clinton
MC: Bill Lane
2005
Rep. William Thomas, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. Robert Matsui, Lifetime Achievement Award
Keynote address by Rep. Jim Kolbe
2004
Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Grant Aldonas, Distinguished Service Award
Deputy United States Trade Representative Peter Allgeier, Distinguished Service Award
Keynote address by Rep. Cal Dooley
MC: Bill Lane
2003
United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, Distinguished Service Award
Keynote address by Jack Valenti, CEO, Motion Picture Association of America
2002
Rep. Amo Houghton, Lifetime Achievement Award
Rep. William Jefferson, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. John Tanner, Distinguished Service Award
2001
Rep. Phil Crane, Lifetime Achievement Award
Senator Charles Grassley, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. Sander Levin, Distinguished Service Award
2000
Secretary of Commerce William Daley, Lifetime Achievement Award
Rep. Calvin Dooley, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. David Dreier, Distinguished Service Award
1999
Senator Max Baucus, Distinguished Service Award
Senator Chuck Hagel, Distinguished Service Award
1998
Secretary of Treasury Robert E. Rubin, Distinguished Service Award
Senator William V. Roth, Distinguished Service Award
1997
United States Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. William Archer, Distinguished Service Award
1996
Rep. Sam Gibbons, Lifetime Achievement Award
Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Stuart Eizenstat, Distinguished Service Award
1995
Rep. James Kolbe, Distinguished Service Award
Rep. Robert Matsui, Distinguished Service Award
Questions? Contact WITA at (202) 312-1600 or events@wita.org
WITF is the 501(c)(3) organization that supports the educational mission and activities of WITA. WITF’s Federal Tax ID Number is 52-1907420.
Please note that the fair market value of each seat at the Dinner is $150, plus the amount of the WITA Group Membership that each table package includes. Membership pricing is as follows: Executive: $1,000; Large: $500; Small: $350
To calculate your charitable contribution amount, deduct the amount of the table and the group membership from your Investment amount above.
Thank you for supporting WITA and WITF by sponsoring a table at the “Trade Prom”!
All checks should be made payable to the Washington International Trade Foundation.
To download a Word.doc copy of the Sponsorship Information, please click here: 2022 WITA Annual Dinner Sponsor Details