Governor's International Trade Award

The Governor's International Trade Awards recognize Minnesota companies that have shown exceptional progress and success in exports to foreign markets, as well as foreign-owned companies that have made significant economic contributions through their investments in the state.

Call for Nominations: Governor's International Trade Awards

The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is accepting nominations for the 39th Annual Governor's International Trade Awards. Traditionally, these prestigious awards are given out each year to honor Minnesota companies that have excelled in the international marketplace. Award recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony to be scheduled toward the end of this year.

Award Categories

The following four award categories are open for nominations for Minnesota companies that successfully export goods and services:

Manufactured Goods: Small- to medium-sized company (less than 500 employees)
Agricultural Commodities/Processed Food: Any size company
Services: Small- to medium-sized company in any industry sector (less than 500 employees)
Large Company (greater than 500 employees) in any industry sector

Eligibility

Any Minnesota-based company that matches one of the award categories and has not received the award in the last ten years is eligible to apply.

Award Criteria

Significant portion of business is international.
Demonstrated growth in international business over the past three years, with continued likelihood of growth.
Increased or maintained employment in Minnesota through the expansion of international trade activity.
Entered new international markets or expanded in existing markets.

Application Process

Complete the application form with the required supporting narrative and submit to Jackie Geiger by email at jackie.geiger@state.mn.us no later than Friday, August 2, 2024. Self-nominations or nominations by business colleagues will be accepted, and all submitted information will remain confidential.

Deadline to Apply

End of business on Friday, August 2, 2024.

Contact

Jackie Geiger by email at jackie.geiger@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-259-7485.

Previous Award Recipients

2023 Recipients

DigiKey, Thief River Falls
East View Companies, Minneapolis
Microbiologics, Inc., St. Cloud
Milk Specialties Global, Eden Prairie
MINPACK, Inc., Pine City
ThermaSolutions, White Bear Lake
Rosenbauer, Wyoming (International Investment Award honoree)

2022 Recipients

Bonanza Bean LLC (Morris)
US Trade Logistics (St. Paul)
Seer Medical LLC (Rochester)
Yanmar Compact Equipment North America (Grand Rapids)

2021 Recipients

Augustine Surgical, Inc. (Eden Prairie)
International Feed Corporation (Excelsior)
Nuwellis, Inc. (Eden Prairie)
Takeda (Brooklyn Park)
SICK, Inc. (Minneapolis)

2019 Recipients

Fireaway Inc. (Minnetonka)
Tolomatic, Inc. (Hamel)
Children's HeartLink (Minneapolis)
Daikin Applied (Plymouth)
Uponor North America (Apple Valley)

2016 Recipients

Crown Iron Works Co. (Roseville)
Digital Content LLC (Edina)
DCM Tech Inc. (Winona)
Great Plains Processing (Luverne)
Ralco Nutrition Inc. (Marshall)
Top Tool Co. (Blaine)

2014 Recipients

Barrett Ag Services (Brainerd)
Dombrovski Craft Meats (Foley)
Industrial and Environmental Concepts, Inc. (Lakeville)
Tonka Water (Plymouth)
Winona State University (Winona)

2013 Recipients

Barr Engineering Company (Minneapolis)
Fastenal Company (Winona)
Horton, Inc. (Roseville)
Julia Knight, Inc. (Minneapolis)
MGS Machine Corporation (Maple Grove)
Midwest Ag Enterprises (Marshall)
Minnesota International Medicine (Minneapolis)
OSI, Inc. (Medina)
Pepin Manufacturing (Lake City)

2012 Recipients

Northwest Grains International, LLC (Minneapolis)
Delkor Systems, Inc. (Circle Pines)
Digi-Key Corporation (Thief River Falls)
Jet Edge, Inc. (St. Michael)
Mayo Clinic (Rochester)
Proto Labs (Maple Plain)
ME Global Inc. (Minneapolis/Duluth)
Gear Grid LLC (Forest Lake)
KwikRink Synthetic Ice (Maple Grove)
PaR Systems, Inc. (Shoreview)