MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Johnson Financial Group are again partnering for the 9th annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. The popular competition highlights Wisconsin’s robust manufacturing industry, which contributes over $71 billion in total economic output to the state each year. Product nominations are being accepted through Friday. Any product that is manufactured in Wisconsin qualifies for the contest. Over a thousand products representing a wide array of industries have been nominated over the years, and winning products have included beverage dispensers, firetrucks, cranes, motorcycles, military vehicles, robotic carts, rifles, and even kringle. Following the nomination period through Sept. 6, 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.
