ABOUT THE AWARD

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Johnson Financial Group are partnering once again to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. The annual competition aims to highlight the state’s vibrant manufacturing industry – which employs 1 in 6 Wisconsinites!

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!

WMC and Johnson Financial Group have partnered together for this contest since 2016, and Wisconsinites have cast over 775,000 votes since its inception. Last year alone, roughly 150 products were nominated and over 125,000 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.

2021 Contest Dates:

Aug. 16 – Sept. 3: Nominations Accepted

Sept. 13: – Announce Nominees

Sept. 15 – 21: Popular Vote Round

Sept. 22: Announce Top 16

Sept. 23 – 28: 1st Round of Bracket Voting

Sept. 29: Announce Top 8

Sept. 30 – Oct. 5: 2nd Round of Bracket Voting

Oct. 6: Announce Top 4

Oct. 7 – 14: Final Round of Voting

Oct. 14: Announce Winner
(Business Day, Pewaukee)

‍

‍