Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and the Meridian International Center Join Together in Partnership

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Trade Center Management Associates, the trade center manager for the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, and the Meridian International Center signed an agreement to foster greater cooperation between the two organizations.  Signed by John P. Drew and Ambassador Stuart Holliday, the Reagan Building and Meridian will become partners on a series of collaborative and complementary activities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100714/ITCLOGO )

The memorandum provides a framework for the two organizations to work cooperatively using their strengths, experience and resources to pursue international projects that advance the missions of both organizations.  Shared efforts will include jointly hosted, co-branded events and programs, trade delegations and international visitor's meetings as well as internationally themed art and cultural exhibitions.  Joint projects have commenced.

"We are delighted by the expansive possibilities our alliance with Meridian will create and we are looking forward to a successful partnership," said John P. Drew, CEO, Trade Center Management Associates. The Reagan Building is a special project of the U.S. General Services Administration.

"With its signature location between the White House and the Capitol, we envision a unique opportunity to work with our partners at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center to develop greater international collaboration and understanding," responded Ambassador Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian International Center.

Founded in 1998, the Reagan Building brings together government, business, associations and thought leaders to fulfill its congressional mandate to promote United States exports through expanded trade opportunities for small and medium sized companies. The Reagan Building is also the official World Trade Center Washington, D.C. through its membership in the World Trade Center Association. The building is one of 300 Trade Centers in 100 countries. 

Founded in 1960, Meridian's mission is to strengthen international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas, and culture.  Meridian achieves its mission through leadership exchanges; cultural exhibitions; conferences, seminars, global readiness training; and public programs and events.    

For more information, please contact Allyson Browne McKithen at 202-312-1563.

About the Office for Trade Promotion at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 
The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (ITC) is a preeminent forum in the heart of the nation's capital advancing international commerce and cross-cultural dialogue. As a seamless, unifying framework, the ITC provides a platform for building connections, fostering diplomacy, growing businesses and creating a more prosperous U.S. and global economy. The ITC also serves as the World Trade Center Washington, D.C.

The Office for Trade Promotion (OTP), the programming arm of the International Trade Center, partners with an extended network of public and private-sector organizations to convene signature events that foster international dialogue, generate business opportunities, educate the public, and provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the resources they need to thrive in today's complex trade environment. For more information, please visit www.itcdc.com.

About Meridian
Meridian International Center's mission is to strengthen international understanding and serve as a center of innovation for engaging the public sector, private sector, and diplomatic community in an exchange of ideas, people, and culture.

Through more than 200 annual programs and projects, Meridian brings together leaders from business, government, and civil society through conferences, exchanges, and online networking, and provides a unique Washington venue for members of the Diplomatic corps to gather, learn, and inform. For more information, visit www.meridian.org.

Contact:   Allyson Browne McKithen, Senior Operations Manager,
Office for Trade Promotion
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
202-312-1563 / [email protected]

SOURCE Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center