The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) is unveiling a new statewide competition in search of the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa.
ABI is partnering with MidWestOne Bank to host the competition, set to showcase the Iowa manufacturing industry’s best innovations, craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technologies.
“The competition not only brings attention to all the cool things made in Iowa, but it also highlights the outstanding career opportunities available in manufacturing – an industry that employs 225,000 people in the state and contributes over $38 billion to the economy,” said Mike Ralston, ABI president, in a statement.
Nearly 20 other state associations have hosted similar competitions. Nominated products in other states have ranged from motorcycles, military vehicles, cheese products, boats, generators, food carts, iron castings, beer, all-terrain vehicles and snow blowers.
“We could not be more pleased to partner with ABI, a champion of Iowa business and industry, to showcase the coolest things made in our great state,” said Chip Reeves, MidWestOne Bank CEO.
Nominations and voting will be open to the public. After products are nominated, they will compete in a popular vote that sets the field for a tournament-style bracket. The Top 16 Iowa-made products will compete in head-to-head matchups to be named the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa.
The winner will be announced at ABI’s annual Taking Care of Business Conference, which will be held June 4-6 in the Quad Cities.
Visit coolestthingia.com for more information on the contest and to begin nominating a product on March 25.
