The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has announced the nominees for its inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Iowa” contest and online voting has begun.
The competition, sponsored by ABI member MidWestOne Bank, highlights the state’s $38 billion dollar manufacturing industry and the high-tech, high-skill and high-pay career opportunities available.
“Manufacturers employ nearly 225,000 Iowans and produce incredible products that are distributed locally, nationally and globally,” Mike Ralston, ABI president, said in a news release. “This is another opportunity to showcase their work and draw attention to what happens right here in our backyard.”
The 2024 nominees represent every corner of the state and a wide array of industries, including agriculture, machinery, food products, wineries, breweries, pet, recreation, home goods, high-tech innovations and much more.
Among the dozens of Iowa nominees for the first-time honor are these Quad Cities regional companies and products:
- KENT Corp., of Muscatine, for the World’s Best Cat Litter.
- Tiki Bar Boats, of Princeton, for big huts.
- Big River Packaging, of Clinton, for artisan baked goods display boxes.
ABI opened up the popular vote round Monday, April 22, and it will conclude on Tuesday, April 30. The Top 16 products will then compete in a bracket-style tournament. During each of the rounds, the public is encouraged to vote once per day (every 24 hours), per device at www.coolestthingia.com.
The winner will be announced at ABI’s annual Taking Care of Business Conference, taking place June 4-6 in the Quad Cities.
Click here to view the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa nominees. For more information about the contest, visit www.coolestthingia.com.
ABI has been the voice of Iowa business since 1903. Its mission is to provide a strong, unified voice to business and industry on issues affecting Iowa employers. ABI is comprised of member companies representing all industries and sizes in Iowa’s 99 counties. Collectively, ABI members employ more than 330,000 Iowans.
