Aug. 11 - Nominations open for Governor’s International Trade Awards

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is accepting nominations for the 26^th Annual Governor’s International Trade Awards, which honor Minnesota companies that have excelled in the international marketplace.

Award recipients will be recognized the Governor’s Global Trade Conference on October 29, 2010. Awards will be given for export achievement in the manufacturing or service industries and the agricultural commodities or processed food industries.

Any Minnesota-based company is eligible to apply. Click here for an application. The application deadline is Friday, September 3.

-- Applicants should provide supporting narrative that shows:

-- A significant portion of their business is international.

-- Growth in international business over at least the past three years, with continued likelihood of growth.

-- Increased or maintained employment in Minnesota through the expansion of international trade activity.

-- Novel ideas or approaches to doing business internationally.

Companies large and small are encouraged to apply.

MTO, an office within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is focused on increasing state export sales in foreign markets. The MTO promotes international trade by providing export information, export education and training, and one-on-one counseling to Minnesota companies that wish to sell manufactured goods and services in the international marketplace.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

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Upon request, the information in this news release is available in an alternative format such as Braille, large print, audiotape or computer disk.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Communications Office
Phone 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858 ∙ TTY 1-800-657-3973
www.PositivelyMinnesota.com