Minnesota Manufactured Awards Banquet Celebrates Manufacturing Excellence

May 22, 2025 – Duluth, Minn. – The 2nd Annual Minnesota Manufactured™ Awards Banquet, held at Lake Superior College on May 22nd, was a resounding success! Over 125 attendees, united by their passion for Minnesota manufacturing, filled the event space.

Hosted by the Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, the evening celebrated the students, manufacturers, organizations, regional champions, and partners who contribute to the Statewide Tour's success. The event also showcased the 2024 Statewide Tour results and fostered valuable connections within the Minnesota manufacturing community.

Welcoming Remarks and Manufacturing's Importance

Jeremy Leffelman opened the banquet, extending a warm welcome to all attendees and expressing his gratitude for their participation. Lake Superior College President Pat Rogers echoed these sentiments, welcoming everyone to the college campus.

"This event is a testament to the power of collaboration and the vital role manufacturing plays in our state's economy," said Jeremy Leffelman. "We are thrilled to bring together so many dedicated individuals and organizations to celebrate our collective achievements."

Showcasing the 2023 Statewide Tour

Following dinner, Jaimee Duffy, director of marketing and outreach at the Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, presented a compelling overview of the 2024 Statewide Tour's key metrics and regional highlights.

"The Statewide Tour continues to make a significant impact on exposing young people to the exciting career opportunities within manufacturing," Duffy stated. "The numbers speak for themselves, but the real impact is in the lives we touch and the future workforce we help to build."

During the 2024 Statewide Tour:

  • 4,095 K-12 students attended a tour
  • 9,714 total people attended a tour
  • 191 employers participated
  • 668 manufacturing tours

Since 2011, the Statewide Tour has reached:

  • 39,169 K-12 students attending a tour
  • 1,565 educators attending a tour
  • 1,717 employers
  • 3,286 manufacturing tours

Celebrating Dedication and Achievements

The evening continued with the presentation of awards to the manufacturers, students, regional champions, and partners who have been instrumental in the tour's success. Attendees also heard from Cirrus, the event sponsor, about the importance of strengthening Minnesota manufacturing and their partnership with the Statewide Tour.

Award Winners

  • Student Video Contest Award: Students across the state entered the Minnesota Manufactured Statewide Tour Video Contest, answering the question "What's so cool about manufacturing?"
    • Winners:
      • 1st Place: Mason Goebel, homeschool student from Glenwood, MN
      • 2nd Place: Northeast Range Film Team, Babbitt, MN
      • 3rd Place: Duluth East High School Team, Duluth, MN
  • Statewide Tour Community Award: This award recognizes a Minnesota community that has gone above and beyond to encourage manufacturers to host tours.
    • Winner: Northeast Region, accepted by Jill Murray, Lake Superior College
  • Statewide Tour Outstanding Partner Award: This award honors an individual who has dedicated significant time, energy, and effort to being involved with and promoting the Statewide Tour.
    • Winner: Steve Nusbaum, St. Cloud Technical & Community College
  • Recognitions: The evening also acknowledged the contributions of the Statewide Tour Regional Champions, participating manufacturers, and educators.

The Power of the Tour

Danette Seboe, principal in Duluth Public Schools, delivered a compelling keynote address on "The Power of the Tour." Seboe, who has over 20 years of experience in public education and currently directs Career and Technical Education, College and Career Readiness, School Counseling Services, and District Crisis Response, spoke passionately about the impact of hands-on learning experiences.

"The Statewide Tour provides an invaluable opportunity for students to see firsthand the dynamic and innovative world of modern manufacturing," said Danette Seboe. "These experiences can spark a passion, ignite a career path, and ultimately strengthen our workforce and our communities."

Partnership and Appreciation

Sponsors played a vital role in making the banquet possible. A special thank you to all sponsors:

  • Platinum Event Sponsor: Cirrus
  • Gold Sponsors: AdvancedTek
  • Silver Sponsors: Big Ideas Inc., Altec, Productivity Inc.
  • Outreach: Riverland Community College, Lake Superior College, Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College, National Center for the Next Generation of Manufacturing, RMS, Genesis Attachments, Polaris, DeZurik, Epicurean Cutting Services, Metal Craft, Saint Paul College, Cast Corporation

Leffelman concluded the event by expressing his gratitude to all involved.

"We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, partners, and attendees for their unwavering support of the Statewide Tour," said Leffelman. "Your dedication is instrumental in our mission to inspire the next generation of manufacturing professionals."

Proceeds from the banquet will be used to support the Statewide Tour and encourage youth to explore careers in manufacturing.

 

For More Information

For more information about the awards banquet or the Statewide Tour, please contact Jeremy Leffelman, executive director of the Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, at jeremy.leffelman@minnstate.edu or (218) 755-4222.