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 41st Annual Governor's International Trade Awards. 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 in early December.

Award Categories

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

  • Manufactured Goods:
    • Small-sized company (<100 employees)
    • Medium-sized company (100-500 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 sales 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 attached application form with the required supporting narrative and submit to Molly Thibodeau by email at molly.thibodeau@state.mn.us no later than Friday, September 18, 2026. 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, September 18, 2026.

Contact

Molly Thibodeau by email at molly.thibodeau@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-259-7486.

Apply Now

Previous Award Recipients

2025 Recipients

  • Intercomp, Medina
  • Nova-Tech Engineering, Willmar
  • PURIS, Minneapolis
  • Purpose Brands, Woodbury
  • Philips, Plymouth

2024 Recipients

  • Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI), New Ulm
  • Imprint Engine, Brooklyn Center
  • Kern Laser Systems, Wadena
  • Sofidel America, Duluth

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)