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    Governor's International Trade Award

    international-trade-awards

    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.

    Governor's International Trade Awards Luncheon

    Honoring Global Excellence

    Friday, January 24
    11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

    JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America
    2141 Lindau Lane
    Bloomington, MN

    The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is delighted to invite you to join Governor Tim Walz, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen at a luncheon event to honor this year’s recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Awards. These prestigious 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.

    Minnesota exports and foreign investment play an important role in the state’s economic growth. In 2023, state exports of agricultural, mining, and manufactured goods to foreign countries were valued at $25 billion. Exports of goods supported an estimated 117,900 jobs statewide. In addition, foreign-owned companies operating in Minnesota had $40.8 billion invested in plant, property and equipment in the state and generated 169,300 jobs for Minnesotans in 2021. These companies represented about 40 countries from around the world and operated at over 900 business locations in Minnesota.

    Please join us at this celebration of the recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Awards and recognition of the tremendous positive impact that globally engaged Minnesota and foreign-owned businesses have on the state’s economy!

    Registration Information

    • Register to attend the luncheon
    • $70.00 if registered by Friday, January 17
    • $85.00 after January 17
    • $50.00 Student Attendee - Student ID will be required upon check-in at the event
    • $490.00 Corporate Table of 8 Seats
    • Note: Pre-registration is required and no walk-ins will be allowed.

    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)
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