The Council on Competitiveness Prepares for Inaugural America Competes Awards

NEW YORK, March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on Competitiveness hosts its inaugural America Competes Awards dinner at the Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroom in New York City on March 6th, 2012. This year's honorees: General Electric Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt, recognized for Corporate Leadership; and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, for Public Service. J.P. Morgan's CEO Jamie Dimon and the firm's Vice Chair, James Lee, Jr., serve as the event's distinguished co-chairs.

Both awardees put a premium on United States competitiveness, by demonstrating extraordinary dedication to the nation's economic health and advancing the public dialogue across the worlds of scholarship, policy, and business. As a tribute to their accomplishments, the dinner raised over $1.22 million to benefit the Council's ongoing work.

The Council on Competitiveness established the America Competes Award for Corporate Leadership to recognize a leader with an exemplary life and a career-long commitment to work across the lines of business, academia, and politics for the betterment of our communities, our nation, and indeed, our world.

The Council on Competitiveness established the America Competes Award for Public Service to recognize a leader making tireless efforts to improve the quality of life in America and abroad through public service and private sector outreach.

Both of these awards highlight commitment to excellence and the American spirit.

More than fifty sponsors support this milestone event, including Deere & Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, JPMorgan Chase, General Electric, Deloitte, and Cisco.

ABOUT THE COUNCIL ON COMPETITIVENESS

The Council on Competitiveness was founded in 1986 during a time when the United States was facing its most dire economic challenges since the end of World War II. The country had slid from being the world's largest creditor to its largest debtor, its position as a global leader in technology and innovation was declining and American industries were losing market share to international competitors. To meet these mounting challenges, two-dozen industrial, university, and labor leaders joined together to found the Council, a forum for elevating national competitiveness to the forefront of national consciousness.

The 21st century poses new challenges to American competitiveness - globalization, high-speed communications, enterprise resilience, and energy sustainability issues are forcing organizations at all levels to rethink and redefine how U.S. companies will remain competitive. After two decades, the Council on Competitiveness continues to set an action agenda to drive U.S. productivity and leadership in world markets and to raise the standard of living for all Americans.

PRESS CONTACT:

Douglas Rohde
Communications Director
T (202) 383-9507
F (202) 969-3406
[email protected]

SOURCE Council on Competitiveness