The Awards trace their origins back over two decades to the early 2000s, when the International Trade Council first launched the International Trade Council Business Awards as a means to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in international commerce. Founded on the belief that entrepreneurial spirit and cross-border collaboration drive global prosperity, the Think Global Awards quickly became a flagship gathering, drawing government ministers, senior trade negotiators, and industry leaders from every region. By the mid-2010s, as the International Trade Council expanded its mandate to support businesses across diverse sectors, the Awards were rebranded as the Think Global Awards and, later, the Going Global Awards—an evolution that underscored a broader vision of bringing together policymakers, regulators, and private-sector innovators under one roof each year. Whether hosted in London, Singapore, or Dubai, these early iterations consistently convened a distinguished roster of delegates, government officials, and CEOs intent on forging new partnerships and sharing best practices.
In 2020, the global pandemic disrupted event calendars worldwide, and the Awards were suspended that year to safeguard health and comply with travel restrictions. Undeterred, the International Trade Council pivoted to a fully virtual format in 2021, hosting the awards ceremony and accompanying networking sessions online. Although the in-person grandeur was temporarily absent, more than 1,000 participants—including trade commissioners, chamber of commerce heads, and export-oriented enterprises—logged in from over 80 countries, ensuring that the spirit of cross-border collaboration endured despite unprecedented challenges.
By 2022, with travel and gatherings resuming, the Awards reemerged with fresh energy—and a new name: the Go Global Awards. That year’s ceremony took place in Tallinn, Estonia, in partnership with Enterprise Estonia and under the patronage of the President of Estonia. Held in the historic halls of the capital, the event underscored the nation’s rising profile as a digital-first economy while spotlighting entrepreneurs and government leaders charting new trade corridors across Europe and Central Asia. Over two days, delegates from more than 50 countries engaged in panel discussions, B2B meetings, and gala celebrations—reinforcing the Awards’ growing reputation as a must-attend forum for senior ministers, heads of export promotion agencies, and multinational corporations alike.
In 2023, the Go Global Awards crossed the Atlantic to the United States, where they were hosted in Providence, Rhode Island, in collaboration with the State’s Secretary of Commerce. The presence of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce as the special guest speaker elevated the program, drawing an even broader array of trade experts, economic development agencies, and Fortune 500 partners. Roundtable sessions focused on emerging supply-chain resilience, digital trade policy, and sustainable FDI, while evening receptions provided ample opportunity for one-on-one introductions between government delegations and private sector innovators. Each successive year—regardless of geographic location—has sustained the Awards’ founding ethos: to foster lasting professional and personal relationships, spark new ideas, and build a truly global community of trade-minded leaders.
Looking ahead to November 2025, the Go Global Awards will convene once more in London’s Westminster district. With its full-day agenda of curated networking salons, showcase pavilions, and formal award presentations, the program continues to uphold a 20-year legacy of convening senior delegates, government ministers, and businesses from across the globe. The Awards’ enduring reputation for excellence and its consistent ability to bridge public and private sectors ensure that every edition remains both a benchmark of achievement and a catalyst for future growth in international trade.
