The President’s “E” Award Awarded to SIUE’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center
In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters. On June 6, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received the “E” award for export service at the 62nd anniversary of the award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The award is the highest recognition a person or U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. A total of 24 U.S. companies and organizations from 14 states were presented with the President’s “E” and “E Star” Awards. The Illinois SBDC ITC was one of four organizations that won the “E” award for export service and the only one at a university.
"Receiving this recognition not only motivates us to work even harder, but also reminds us that we are making a significant impact on so many small businesses and communities in Illinois and our U.S. economy,” said Silvia Torres Bowman, director of the Illinois SBDC ITC at SIUE. “Building long term partnerships with our clients has always been an integral part of the mission and our long-term commitment to small businesses in southern Illinois.”
“This recognition demonstrates SIUE’s ability to make outsized contributions to the economic development of our region,” said SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD. “In addition to producing talented graduates who will define the workforce of the region, SIUE supports the development of the business community in ways that merit national recognition. The award is a powerful and definitive statement about impact.”
The Illinois SBDC ITC at SIUE has been serving the export needs of small and medium-sized businesses from 35 counties in southern Illinois for almost four decades. The ITC focuses on educating, equipping and empowering small businesses for long-term international success. The ITC fosters global trade through collaboration with SIUE’s academic programs. Students develop skills in international business, foreign languages and market research with regional companies seeking to expand internationally through exports.
"On Behalf of President Biden, I congratulate the Illinois SBDC ITC at SIUE on its distinguished achievements in exports, which is delivering tangible benefits for local economies, workers and their families,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The world turns to the United States for innovative products and solutions thanks in part to U.S. businesses of all shapes and sizes that export. The Illinois SBDC ITC at SIUE serves as a model that will inspire enterprises and entrepreneurs everywhere.”'
