Each year, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Johnson Financial Group partner to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. The competition aims to highlight the state’s vibrant manufacturing industry. The contest not only brings attention to all the cool things made in Wisconsin, but also the outstanding career opportunities available in manufacturing – an industry that employs 1 in 6 people in the state and contributes over $68 billion to the economy!
WMC and Johnson Financial Group have partnered together for this contest since 2016, and Wisconsinites have cast nearly over 1.1 million votes since its inception. Last year alone, roughly 150 products were nominated and over 150,000 votes were cast to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. Products have ranged from motorcycles, military vehicles, cheese products, boats, generators, food carts, iron castings, beer, all-terrain vehicles, snow blowers and much, much more.
After products are nominated, they compete in a popular vote that sets the field for Manufacturing Madness. In this tournament-style bracket, the Top 16 Wisconsin-made products compete in head-to-head matchups to win the ultimate prize – being named the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.
The winner is announced each year during Manufacturing Month in October.
2023 Contest Dates:
August 16 to September 8 Nominations Accepted
September 14 Nominees Announced
September 18 to September 26 Popular Vote Round
September 27 Announce Top 16
September 28 to October 3 1st Round of Bracket Voting
October 4 Announce Top 8
October 5 to October 10 2nd Round of Bracket Voting
October 11 Announce Top 4
October 12 to October 19 Final Round of Voting
October 19 Announce Winner (Business Day, Monona Terrace)