There are a number of forms of recognition a company can hope to earn over the course of the year. Obviously, profits are their own important form of recognition, but there are countless awards out there that also endow a sense of success on a company.One example of this would be the annual E Awards. If you're unfamiliar with the E Awards, let's take a closer look at what they are and you'll find out why we're so proud to have won both an E Award and E Star Award here at It Straps On, Inc.The History of the E AwardsThis year was the 52nd year the E Awards were presented to US Companies for their contributions to exporting products and services around the globe. Originally created by an Executive Order from President Johnson in 1961, the awards purpose is to recognize those companies that have helped further the reach and progress of American exports.There's also the E Star Award, which was later introduced in 1969. This one is presented to deserving companies that deserve continuing recognition for their noteworthy efforts to keep promoting American exports.The awards actually got their start decades before the sixties. During World War II, over 4,000 E Pennants were given to plants for their production success during the war. Overtime, this flag, emblazoned with a large "E" became a recognized status of patriotic activities.President Kennedy would revive the symbol as a way to honor and recognize American companies that continued that legacy of success by focusing on the importance of exports. Thus, on December 5, 1961, Executive Order 10978 was carried out and the awards were established as an American tradition.Winners of the E Award are presented with a certificate of commendation bearing the signature of the Secretary of Commerce on it. These companies can also fly the historic banner that comes with the award, refer to it in their advertising and issue "E" lapel pins to their employees. The E Awards are known as the highest form of recognition an American entity can receive for its success with exporting.The 2014 E AwardsThis year, the E Awards were held on May 27, 2014. They are always given out in May as that is World Trade Month - a month dedicated to recognizing American companies that better this country through international trade.65 different American companies received awards this year presented by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker. Of those recipients, 55 were actually small or medium-sized business. 38 of them were manufactures. This year's batch of winners is the largest we've seen in over 30 years.The winning companies came from 32 different states, including Texas, California, North Dakota, Ohio and Massachusetts.Of the 65 winners,47 of them were given to companies for consistently increasing the sales of their exports over multiple years,10 were presented to companies that have helped other American businesses succeed in exports,4 businesses won for having once been recognized before and continuing their success for four additional years4 companies won because they had previously won for supporting other American businesses in their exporting ventures and continued to do so for four additional years since.In Secretary Pritzker's address, she laid out the following benefits of American companies increasing their success exporting American-made products:Faster economic growth for the country as a wholeMore jobs createdHigher wages possibleThe spread of American values and ideasGreater innovationShe went on to cite that, in 2012, exports were responsible for 11.3 million native jobs. This resulted in more than $2.3 trillion dollars in returns, a new record.Pritzker also took the time to dovetail the award with President Obama's National Export Initiative (NIE), a program with the aim of helping more American companies find opportunities overseas for exporting products.Additional Resources:http://www.trade.gov/cs/eaward.asphttp://export.gov/exportawards/http://blog.trade.gov/2012/05/01/may-is-world-trade-month/http://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2014/05/28/us-secretary-commerce-penny-pritzker-honors-65-companies-export-succe
