Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) — the combined state chamber and manufacturers’ association — is once again partnering with Johnson Financial Group to host a statewide competition to determine the “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.”
The contest, celebrating its tenth year, draws attention to the state’s top industry — manufacturing — which last year alone contributed over $73.7 billion to Wisconsin’s gross domestic product, generating an estimated $42.8 billion in earnings for manufacturing workers.
Since the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest’s inception in 2016, over 1.5 million votes have been cast for over one thousand products. Manufacturers from numerous sub-sectors and every corner of the state have competed for the title of Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.
Winning products have included iconic soda, high-tech beverage dispensers, firetrucks, cranes, motorcycles, military vehicles, robotic carts, rifles and kringle.
Any product that is manufactured in Wisconsin qualifies for the contest, regardless of company size. Following the nomination period that runs Aug. 25-Sept. 12, a popular vote will determine the Top 16 products that will be placed in a bracket-style tournament called Manufacturing Madness.
Products will compete against one another in head-to-head match-ups, and the products that receive the highest votes in each match-up will advance to the next round.
Manufacturers, consumers, employees and other Wisconsinites are encouraged to vote once per day, per email address through the rounds of voting.
This year’s Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin will be announced at WMC’s Business Day in Madison event on Oct. 23. For more information about the contest or to submit a nomination, click here.
