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Council Mission
The Council on Competitiveness is the only group of CEOs, university presidents and labor leaders working to ensure U.S. prosperity.
A nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization in Washington, the Council shapes the debate on competitiveness by bringing together business, labor, academic and government leaders to evaluate economic challenges and opportunities. Conferences, seminars and special events are used to disseminate the Council’s findings and recommendations to experts, policy makers, government officials, media and the general public.
History
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.
Impact
The Council on Competitiveness has a long history of successfully impacting public policy at the federal, state and local levels, and throughout the private sector. Its members are the decision makers in their organizations, able to enact new policies and programs quickly. Taken together, the Council’s tripartite membership speaks with an influential voice that gets the attention of policymakers from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other.
While not an advocacy organization, the Council is uniquely capable of bringing a cross section of private sector leaders together around a specific topic or policy prescription. Through a series of briefings, meetings and reports, this “voice” of the Council is conveyed to policymakers at all levels. In addition, the Council seeks out partnerships with organizations and individuals both in the private sector and in government that can mutually benefit its agendas and strengthen both parties’ positions.