Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Announces 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness

America’s Top Leaders to Discuss U.S. Position in Worldwide Marketplace

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced the Department of Commerce will convene the second national meeting of premier leaders from business, government, and academia to discuss what steps the public and private sectors can take to secure America’s position as the most competitive economy in the 21st century. The 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness will be held May 22 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.

“Increasingly America’s prosperity is linked to our highly competitive economy,” said Gutierrez. “This summit will explore entrepreneurship and free trade as mechanisms for strengthening America’s leadership in the worldwide marketplace. I look forward to working further with leaders from both the public and private sectors in ensuring America’s competitive advantage.”

Secretary Gutierrez named Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and former Helene Curtis CEO Ronald J. Gidwitz to serve as Honorary Co-Chairmen of the 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness.

“I am pleased to announce these two award-winning national leaders as chairmen who share a common national goal of keeping America competitive,” said Gutierrez. “Mayor Daley has earned a national reputation for his innovative, community-based programs to conquer urban challenges. And, Ron Gidwitz is a world-class business leader who devotes his time and vast talent to promoting a pro-job, pro-growth, innovative business climate.”

The summit will feature discussion on how to bolster the business climate, link entrepreneurship with economic prosperity, and utilize free trade agreements. The summit also will highlight the accomplishments of top state and local leaders who have successfully driven economic transformations in their regions to bolster competitiveness in global markets.

Confirmed speakers to date include CNBC Anchor Maria Bartiromo, Intel Chairman of the Board Craig Barrett, YouTube Co-Founder and CTO Steve Chen, and Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney.

“We are pleased to showcase Chicago as the host of the 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness,” said Mayor Daley. “Given our great city’s position as a global gateway for 21^st century commerce, Chicago is a great location for this important discussion.”

“This summit offers a high-profile platform for meaningful discussion on the issues facing American businesses and citizens in an era of intense global competition,” said Ron Gidwitz. Mr. Gidwitz currently serves as the Chairman of the Illinois Coalition for Jobs, Growth & Prosperity, a coalition of employers representing more than 1 million workers and is the founder of Students First Illinois, a non-partisan, statewide grassroots coalition of private individuals and community organizations in support of equal, high quality public education for all children.

To obtain more information about the 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness and to register for the event, visit http://www.americancompetitiveness.com or www.commerce.gov.