WITA/Foundation Annual Dinner
Save the date! The 2026 Annual Dinner will be held on Wednesday, July 21
Built for Trade Professionals at Every Stage
Please find the 2026 Annual Dinner Sponsorship Packages information below.
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InformationThe Annual Dinner is WITA’s signature event, attracting hundreds of top decision makers, policy shapers, and trade experts from D.C. and around the world. Hosted by WITA’s sister organization, the 501(c)(3) Washington International Trade Foundation, the Annual Dinner is the biggest trade event of the year in Washington, DC. The event is a fundraiser to support WITA and the Foundation’s trade education activities throughout the year.
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AttendeesThis event is considered “widely attended” under both House & Senate Gift Rules.
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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.
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LocationThe WITA/Foundation Annual Dinner is hosted at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, located in downtown Washington D.C. at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
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“Trade Prom”The WITA 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”!
Find the Right Fit
WITA/Foundation Annual Dinner & Reception Sponsorship Levels
We are truly grateful to all our sponsors, whose unprecedented support has led to being sold-out of all tables at the earliest date in our history.
For those of you who are still interested in being part of the Trade Prom experience but have not already reserved a table, we are pleased to offer a limited number of sponsorships for our pre-dinner and post-dinner receptions. All reception sponsors receive the same night-of, and year-round benefits of Diamond and Platinum Dinner sponsors, including:
For those of you who are still interested in being part of the Trade Prom experience but have not already reserved a table, we are pleased to offer a limited number of sponsorships for our pre-dinner and post-dinner receptions. All reception sponsors receive the same night-of, and year-round benefits of Diamond and Platinum Dinner sponsors, including:
Diamond Level Reception Sponsor – $10,000
| Seating | 2 seats at the Annual Dinner (placed by WITA) |
| Extra Access | 10 Reception-only Tickets to Pre and Post Receptions |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 2 Washington International Trade Conference passes + 2 Congressional Trade Counsels passes + 2 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars passes |
| Recognition | Diamond Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, all in-person events, promotional materials + signage |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions + Logoed congratulatory statement in slideshow and printed program |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Platinum Level Reception Sponsor – $5,000
| Seating | 1 seat at the Annual Dinner (placed by WITA) |
| Extra Access | 5 Reception-only Tickets to Pre and Post Receptions |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 1 Washington International Trade Conference pass + 2 Congressional Trade Counsels passes + 1 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars pass |
| Recognition | Platinum Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, all in-person events, promotional materials + signage |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions + Logoed congratulatory statement in slideshow and printed program |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Diamond Level Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $20,000
| Seating | Elite table (up to 8 seats) |
| Extra Access | 4 additional Reception-only Tickets to Pre and Post Receptions |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 2 Washington International Trade Conference passes + 2 Congressional Trade Counsels passes + 2 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars passes |
| Recognition | Diamond Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, all in-person events, promotional materials + signage |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions + Logoed congratulatory statement in slideshow and printed program |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Platinum Level Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $15,000
| Seating | Premier table (up to 8 seats) |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 1 Washington International Trade Conference pass + 2 Congressional Trade Counsels passes + 1 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars pass |
| Recognition | Platinum Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, all in-person events, promotional materials + signage |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions + Logoed congratulatory statement in slideshow and printed program |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Gold Level Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $12,500
| Seating | Preferred table (up to 8 seats) |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 1 Congressional Trade Counsels pass + 1 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars pass |
| Recognition | Gold Level recognition at the Annual Dinner |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Silver Level Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $10,000
| Seating | Table (up to 8 seats) |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 1 Congressional Trade Counsels pass + 1 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars pass |
| Recognition | Silver Level recognition at the Annual Dinner |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Diamond Half Table Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $12,500
| Seating | Elite Half table (up to 5 seats) |
| Extra Access | 5 Reception-only Tickets to Pre and Post Receptions |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 2 Washington International Trade Conference passes + 2 Congressional Trade Counsels passes + 2 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars passes |
| Recognition | Diamond Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, all in-person events, promotional materials + signage |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions + Logoed congratulatory statement in slideshow and printed program |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Platinum Half Table Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $10,000
| Seating | Premier Half table (up to 4 seats) |
| Extra Access | 4 Reception-only Tickets to Pre and Post Receptions |
| Membership | Executive Group Membership (all employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 1 Washington International Trade Conference pass + 2 Congressional Trade Counsels passes + 1 WITA Academy Virtual Intensive Trade Seminars pass |
| Recognition | Platinum Level recognition at the Annual Dinner, all in-person events, promotional materials + signage |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions + Logoed congratulatory statement in slideshow and printed program |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Gold Half Table Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $7,500
| Seating | Preferred Half table (up to 4 seats) |
| Membership | Large Group Membership (up to 10 employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 1 Congressional Trade Counsels pass |
| Recognition | Gold Level recognition at the Annual Dinner |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
Silver Half Table Sponsor – Sold Out! Investment: $6,500
| Seating | Half table (up to 4 seats) |
| Membership | Large Group Membership (up to 10 employees) |
| Learning | Unlimited free access to policy webinars + Discounted Member pricing for all events |
| Free Passes | 1 Congressional Trade Counsels pass |
| Recognition | Silver Level recognition at the Annual Dinner |
| Engagement | Gift Bag contributions |
| Brand Presence | Logo-Link on WITA’s website |
2026
| Senator Todd Young, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Nasim Fussell) |
| Special America 250 Performance by Alumni of Signature Theatre’s Education Programs |
| Senator Maria Cantwell, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Nasim Fussell) |
| John Murphy, former Senior Vice President and Head of International, US Chamber of Commerce, WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn, Walmart, and Stephanie Lester, Gap Inc.) |
2025
| Senator Mike Crapo, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by former Senator Pat Toomey) |
| Special remarks by Ambassador Carla Hills, remembering Frederick W. Smith, founder of FedEx |
| Senator Michael Bennet, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Senator Chris Coons) |
| Mike Dankler, WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn) |
| Master of Ceremonies: Kelly Ann Shaw |
2024
| Welcoming remarks by the French Embassy’s Minister Counsellor for Economic Affairs, Antonin Aviat |
| Featured valedictory remarks by Congressman Earl Blumenauer |
| Congressman Darin LaHood, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by former Congressman Kevin Brady) |
| Senator Chris Coons, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by former Senator Rob Portman) |
| Ana Swanson, WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Bill Lane) |
| Doug Palmer, WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Stephanie Lester & Sarah Thorn) |
| Masters of Ceremonies: Kaitlin Sighinolfi & Nasim Fussell |
2023
| SenatorCongressman Adrian Smith, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by former Congressman Kevin Brady) |
| Senator Tom Carper, American Leadership Award (introduced by Senator John Cornyn) |
| Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard, Lifetime Achievement Award (introduced by former Speaker Paul Ryan and presented by Meredith Broadbent and Viji Rangaswami surrounded by former colleagues) |
| Monica H. Whaley, WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Bill Lane) |
| Masters of Ceremonies: Stacy J. Ettinger & Vanessa Sciarra |
2022
| Congressman Ron Kind, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Congressman Earl Blumenauer) |
| Senator Pat Toomey, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Ambassador Rufus Yerxa, Ambassador Jayme White, & Sabine Weyand) |
| Ambassador Carla Hills, Lifetime Achievement Award (introduced by Ambassador Susan Schwab) |
| Jennifer A. Hillman, WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Stephanie Lester & Sarah Thorn) |
| Master of Ceremonies: Ambassador Rufus Yerxa |
2021
| Congressman Richard Neal, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene) |
| Congressman Kevin Brady, Lifetime Achievement Award (introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Walorski) |
| Ambassador Rufus Yerxa, Lifetime Achievement Award (introduced by Ambassador Susan Schwab) |
| Florizelle Liser, WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Katrin Kuhlman) |
| 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, American Leadership Award (introduced by Ambassador Jim Bacchus) |
| Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Rick Larsen) |
| Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Kevin Brady) |
| Women In International Trade (WIIT), WITA Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Selina Jackson) |
| Masters of Ceremonies: John Veroneau |
2018
| Senator Ben Cardin, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Senator Heidi Heitkamp) |
| Senator Pat Roberts, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Dan Glickman) |
| Secretary Sonny Perdue, American Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Kevin Brady) |
| Laura Baughman, Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Bill Lane) |
| Master of Ceremonies: Nicole Bivens Collinson |
2017
| Congressman Rick Larsen, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Suzan DelBene) |
| Senator Jeff Flake, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Jim Kolbe) |
| Meredith Broadbent, Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn) |
| Master of Ceremonies: Kellie Meiman Hock |
2016
| Secretary Penny Pritzker, Global Leadership Award |
| Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Congressman Kevin Brady) |
| Congressman David Reichert, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Congressman Kevin Brady) |
| Bill Lane, Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn) |
| William Reinsch, Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Bill Lane) |
| Master of Ceremonies: Nicole Venable |
2015
| Congressman Paul Ryan, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Earl Blumenauer) |
| Senator Orrin Hatch, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Senator Tom Carper) |
| Senator Ron Wyden, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Earl Blumenauer) |
| Ambassador Mike Moore, Lifetime Achievement Award (introduced by Ambassador Susan Schwab) |
| Everett Eissenstat, Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Bill Lane) |
| Master of Ceremonies: Nicole Venable |
2014
| Congressman Charles Boustany, Jr., MD, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks,) |
| Congressman Ron Kind, Congressional Leadership Award (introduced by Representative Erik Paulsen) |
| Ambassador Michael Punke, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Ambassador Peter Allgeier) |
| Ambassador Clayton Yeutter, Lifetime Achievement Award (introduced by Ambassador Peter Allgeier) |
| Wendy Cutler, Lighthouse Award (introduced by Sarah Thorn & Bill Lane) |
| Master of Ceremonies: Ambassador Peter Allgeier |
2013
| Chairman Dave Camp, Distinguished Leadership in International Trade |
| USTR Michael Froman, Distinguished Leadership in International Trade |
| Congressman Gregory Meeks, Distinguished Leadership in International Trade |
| Ed Gresser, Lighthouse Award |
| Master of Ceremonies: Ambassador Peter Allgeier |
2012
| USTR Ron Kirk, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman David Dreier, Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Jutta Hennig, Lighthouse Award |
| Master of Ceremonies: Grant Aldonas |
2011
| Senator Rob Portman, Distinguished Service Award |
| Senator John Kerry, Distinguished Service Award |
| Angela Ellard & Viji Rangaswami, Lighthouse Award |
| Keynote address by USTR Ron Kirk |
| Master of Ceremonies: Fruzsina Harsanyi |
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 |
| Master of Ceremonies: Dan Glickman |
2009
| Congressman Kevin Brady, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman Joe Crowley, Distinguished Service Award |
| Frank and Regina Vargo, Lighthouse Award (introduced by Selina Jackson and Bill Lane) |
| Keynote address by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke |
| Master of Ceremonies: Jim Kolbe |
2008
| United States Trade Representative Susan Schwab, Distinguished Service Award |
| R.K. “Judge” Morris, Lighthouse Award (presented by Ken Levinson and Selina Jackson) |
| Keynote address by former USTR Rob Portman |
| Master of Ceremonies: Cal Dooley |
2007
| WITA’s 25th Anniversary: Celebrating of a Quarter Century of Trade Leadership |
| Keynote address by Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez |
| Master of Ceremonies: John Castellani Business Roundtable |
2006
| Congressman Charles Rangel, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman Jim Kolbe, Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Keynote address by Senator Hillary Clinton |
| Master of Ceremonies: Bill Lane |
2005
| Congressman William Thomas, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman Robert Matsui, Lifetime Achievement Award (accepted by Doris Matsui) |
| Keynote address by Congressman 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 Congressman Cal Dooley |
| Master of Ceremonies: Bill Lane |
2003
| United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, Distinguished Service Award |
| Keynote address by Jack Valenti, CEO, Motion Picture Association of America |
2002
| Congressman Amo Houghton, Lifetime Achievement Award (introduced by Tim Regan) |
| Congressman William Jefferson, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman John Tanner, Distinguished Service Award |
2001
| Congressman Phil Crane, Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Senator Charles Grassley, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman Sander Levin, Distinguished Service Award |
2000
| Secretary of Commerce William Daley, Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Congressman Cal Dooley, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman David Dreier, Distinguished Service Award (introduced Norman Mineta) |
1999
| Senator Max Baucus, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Ambassador Peter Scher) |
| Senator Chuck Hagel, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Isabel Jasinowski) |
1998
| Secretary of Treasury Robert E. Rubin, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Clayton Yeutter) |
| Senator William V. Roth, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Jeffrey Shafer) |
1997
| United States Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman William Archer, Distinguished Service Award (introduced by Richard Cunningham and Carla Hills) |
1996
| Congressman Sam Gibbons, Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Stuart Eizenstat, Distinguished Service Award |
1995
| Congressman Jim Kolbe, Distinguished Service Award |
| Congressman Robert Matsui, Distinguished Service Award |
Questions?
Contact WITA at (202) 312-1600 or [email protected].
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