2024 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 -- 12:00 PM

The 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Contest is underway.

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 $71 billion to the economy.

WMC and Johnson Financial Group have partnered together for this contest since 2016, and Wisconsinites have cast nearly over 1.3 million votes since its inception. Last year alone, roughly 150 products were nominated and over 187,000 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. The first round of voting is going on now through September 24th. Some local products in the contest include Teriyaki Meat Snack Sticks from Wenzel’s Farm in Marshfield, Log and Timber Homes from Golden Eagle Log & Timber Homes in Wisconsin Rapids, and Photo Engraving from Rough Cut Company in Wisconsin Rapids.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.