Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) — the combined state chamber and manufacturers’ association — and Johnson Financial Group are again partnering to host the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. The competition highlights Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry, which contributes over $71 billion in total economic output to the state.
This year’s program has a new logo and rebranded website. Any product that is manufactured in Wisconsin qualifies for the contest, and nominations will be accepted online from Aug. 19–Sept. 6.
Following the nomination period, 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 device 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. 17.
WMC and Johnson Financial Group have partnered together for this contest since 2016, and Wisconsinites have cast over 1 million votes since its inception. Over a thousand products representing a wide array of industries have been nominated over the years.
