Governor's International Trade Awards

Join Us at the 41st Annual Governor's International Trade Awards Luncheon

Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

JW Marriott Mall of America

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 41st Annual 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 2025, state exports of agricultural, mining, and manufactured goods to about 200 foreign countries were valued at $23.5 billion. Global sales of goods supported 101,000 jobs in manufacturing and supporting industries in the state; while global sales of services supported an estimated 78,000 jobs. In addition, foreign-owned companies operating in Minnesota had $40.8 billion invested in plant, property and equipment and employed 158,700 Minnesotans at majority-owned affiliates. These companies represented over 30 countries from around the world and operated at nearly 1,500 business locations in Minnesota.   Please join us at this celebration of the recipients of the Governor's International Trade Awards and the remarkable impact that globally engaged Minnesota and foreign-owned businesses have on the state's economy!

Fees:

  • Individual Registration - $80.00 if registered by Friday, November 27  │  $90.00 after November 27
  • Corporate Table of 8 Seats - $560.00
  • Undergraduate Student - $40.00 *Eligibility must be verified in order to access this rate. Please contact molly.thibodeau@state.mn.us prior to registering.

**IMPORTANT: Pre-registration is required and no walk-ins will be allowed. Registration will hard close at 5:00 PM on Friday, December 4. No additional registrations, transfers, or changes to table attendees will be accepted after hard close.**

Questions?

Register Here

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.

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)