DES MOINES — The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and MidWestOne are partnering once again to host the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition.
This initiative highlights Iowa’s robust manufacturing industry which contributes over $43 billion in total economic output to the state each year.
“Iowa is home to nearly 222,000 individuals who are employed by thousands of Iowa manufacturers,” said Nicole Crain, ABI president. “This contest highlights not only the cool products made here in our state, but also the creativity and entrepreneurship behind the people that craft them.”
Any product manufactured in Iowa qualifies for the contest. Nominations submitted by employees, consumers and any other interested parties are being accepted until April 18 at www.coolestthingia.com.
Following the nomination period, a popular vote will determine the Top 16 products.
Products will be competed against one another in head-to-head matchups, and the products that receive the highest votes in each match-up will advance to the next round. Voting is open to the public.
Important Contest Dates:
April 7-April 18: Nominations Open
April 28: Nominees Announced
April 29-May 7: Popular Vote to determine Top 16
May 9-June 3: Voting
June 11: Winner Announced
The winner will be announced at ABI’s annual Taking Care of Business Conference, taking place June 10-12 in Council Bluffs.
Competition rules, eligibility requirements and the nomination forms are available at www.coolestthingia.com. The nomination period ends on April 18 and voting will begin April 29.