FedEx Chief Fred Smith to Be Honored at USCIB Award Gala

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Sep 12, 2013) - Fred Smith, chairman and CEO, FedEx Corp., will receive the top award from the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), a pro-trade group representing America's leading global companies. Smith will be honored at a September 18 gala dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York.

As the United Nations General Assembly gets set to convene next week, UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson is among the many international dignitaries attending the event and will provide keynote remarks.

"Fred Smith is a leader who has demonstrated over many years a strong commitment to innovation, open markets and a positive role for business in society," said USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw, president, chairman and CEO of McGraw Hill Financial. "He exemplifies the very best of USCIB's core values."

Among those attending this year's event will be members of the executive board of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization for which USCIB serves as the American national committee, as well as the heads of ICC chapters from around the world. The secretaries general of each of USCIB's affiliated global business groups -- ICC, the International Organization of Employers, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD -- will also be in attendance.

Smith founded FedEx Corp. in 1973, and it has grown into a $44-billion global transportation, business services and logistics company. Smith has been an active proponent of regulatory reform, free trade and open-skies agreements around the world. Most recently, he has advocated for vehicle energy-efficiency standards and a national energy policy.

FedEx has continued to strengthen its industry leadership over the past 40 years. It is consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers and inspires its employees to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities.

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include top U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business and employers groups, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment.