Historical first for Minnesota recognizes the talent and innovation required for state to stay competitive as a region
Minneapolis, MN – Today, the Minnesota Business Partnership, an organization of more than 100 CEOs and senior executives of Minnesota’s largest employers, hosted a remote opening bell ringing of the New York Stock Exchange. This was the first NYSE bell ringing to ever take place in Minnesota and one of only a few remote ringings that happen each year.
“What we have in Minnesota is rare: an extraordinary ecosystem of large, globally competitive companies supported by a world-class workforce and a vibrant civic culture,” said Kurt Zellers, CEO of Minnesota Business Partnership. “This ecosystem is dynamic, it’s productive — and it’s worth celebrating. But it’s also worth defending.”
Home to 30 NYSE headquartered companies, Minnesota is a vibrant and competitive region that includes leaders in a diverse set of industries from med tech, financial services, food, building technology, agriculture, manufacturing and health care.
The event hosted at Medtronic’s Minneapolis headquarters included panel discussions including Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, nVent Chair & CEO Beth Wozniak as well as remarks from General Mills Chairman & CEO Jeff Harmening, Winnebago Industries President & CEO Mike Happe, Tennant President & CEO Dave Huml, and US Bank President & CEO Gunjan Kedia.
“We aren’t limited to one single industry – there’s an abundance of jobs and industries that offer fertile ground for talented people to explore – agriculture, CPG, finance, manufacturing, high tech, healthcare, and more,” said Geoff Martha, Chairman & CEO of Medtronic.
Leaders of some of Minnesota’s most successful companies emphasized the value and importance of highly skilled and diverse talent within the headquarters ecosystem.
The critical factors for future investment and innovation will be Minnesota’s ability to continue to attract and retain a workforce for the headquartered companies to continue to strive.
The diversity of Minnesota’s headquartered companies has provided the state and the MSP region a stable economy for decades, and the Minnesota Business Partnership is committed to ensuring a competitive future for Minnesota. Minnesota Business Partnership companies employ 1/6th of all Minnesota workers.
Photos from the event can be found here.
Video of the bell ringing is available here.
Notable attendees included:
- Kurt Zellers, CEO, Minnesota Business Partnership
- Lynn Martin, President, NYSE Group
- Geoff Martha, Chairman & CEO, Medtronic
- Jeff Harmening, Chairman & CEO, General Mills
- Corie Barry, CEO, Best Buy
- Beth Wozniak, Chair & CEO, nVent
- Mike Happe, President & CEO, Winnebago Industries
- Dave Huml, President & CEO, Tennant Company
- Gunjan Kedia, President & CEO, U.S. Bancorp
The Business Partnership will release the updated research about the Headquarters Economy in partnership with Myles Shaver from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management at its annual meeting in October 2025.
About Minnesota Business Partnership
The Minnesota Business Partnership leverages the knowledge and experience of more than 100 CEOs and senior executives from Minnesota’s largest employers. We analyze our state’s challenges with a long-term, global view, and we make recommendations to strengthen Minnesota’s economy and quality of life. Our members represent a broad range of business interests, political perspectives, and personal philosophies, but they are united by a desire to maintain a high quality of life for all Minnesotans by ensuring that the state’s economy remains strong and globally competitive. Minnesota Business Partnership companies employ 1/6 th of all Minnesota workers.