Participants at the State of Minnesota booth at RE+.

Earlier this month, the Minnesota Trade Office exhibited at RE+ in Las Vegas, the largest clean energy trade show in North America. With 37,000 clean energy professionals in attendance and hundreds of international exhibitors, the State of Minnesota booth was a hub for conversations about business investment, international partnerships and developing new energy technologies.

I was proud to share the booth with several Minnesota cleantech companies and partner organizations: Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, MnSEIA, Clean Grid Alliance, SYNRCIS, Solar Informatics and Universal Engineering Services. Minnesota was the only state to bring companies to co-exhibit at the show, which highlights our strong public-private partnerships and shared mission of making Minnesota a hub for clean energy innovation and growth.

Over the four-day conference, I met with many of our trade and international business partners, including the Danish Trade Council, Australia Trade and Investment Commission, Germany Trade & Invest and more. We had productive conversations about the work Minnesota is doing to support businesses in this sector and explore new opportunities to deepen our existing relationships.

As I navigated the vast expo halls, I found example after example of Minnesota companies whose work is enabling a clean energy future. From 3M and Mortenson to Bot Crew and EVS Engineering, Minnesota leadership was on full display across the show floor. Throughout my conversations, the overwhelming message at the show was that there is continued global demand for energy solutions that are affordable, reliable and clean. And it was clear to me that Minnesota companies are ready to deliver.

As the Minnesota Trade Office staff member responsible for energy and cleantech, I am available to meet with Minnesota companies looking to export their technologies to new global markets or foreign companies interested in expanding or relocating to Minnesota. Please feel free to reach out any time to connect: Nate.Long@state.mn.us.