Golden Valley’s Medical Alley Returns from Australia Trade Mission

Minnesota businesses and Gov. Tim Walz are back from Australia, a trip meant to highlight and strengthen ties in the land Down Under.

About 35 businesses and organizations were represented on the trip. Industries included medical technology, food and agriculture, environmental technology and higher education.

Medical Alley, a Golden Valley nonprofit that represents the area’s growing medical device industry, was part of the delegation. Medical Alley already had representation in Australia dating back to 1987.

“We can’t operate in isolation, that is not how the world works,” said Peter Glessing, the nonprofit’s director of policy and advocacy. “We have to see what is happening abroad and see what successes do they have there and how we can replicate them here. I think the Australians were looking at something similar as we were visiting with them. What’s working in Minnesota, what’s working with Medical Alley and how we can replicate that.”

Trade statistics show Australia is the 11th largest market for Minnesota goods with exports up 27 percent from the previous year.

Medtronic Australia celebrated 50 years alongside its Minnesotan visitors.

Business leaders made stops in Sydney and Melbourne, visiting business sites and partaking in networking events. Glessing said the trip was educational and also an opportunity to get to know industry professionals.

The group got back from its week-long trip on Monday.

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