Q&A: Your Complete Guide to the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa Competition

Q: What is the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition, and how did it come about?
A: The Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition was established as a fun and engaging way to showcase the diverse range of products manufactured in Iowa while promoting careers in manufacturing. ABI is excited to kick off year three on March 16 when nominations open. Nearly 20 other states host a version of this competition!

Q: How does the competition align with ABI’s mission?
A: For more than 120 years, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has championed the manufacturing industry through legislative advocacy, relationship-building, educational programming, and cost savings. This competition serves as another avenue for ABI to highlight Iowa makers and their innovative products along with the state’s manufacturing prowess — an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people and contributes billions to the state’s economy.

Q: What products qualify?
A: To be eligible, a product must meet certain criteria:

• It must be manufactured in Iowa.
• The company headquarters do not necessarily have to be in Iowa, but the product must be produced in an Iowa-based facility.
• The product must be made using a manufacturing process. This excludes certain services like restaurants that prepare food to order but includes food items produced through mass manufacturing processes. Other detailed eligibility rules and requirements can be found on the official contest site.

Q: How can the public participate, and what is the voting process?
A: Nominations for the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa are open to the public. Once products are nominated, they enter a popular vote phase, setting the stage for a tournament-style bracket. Each device is allowed one vote per day during the voting period. The Top 16 Iowa-made products then engage in head-to-head matchups to vie for the ultimate title.

Q: Do you have to be a member of an organization to be considered for this award?
A: No. The number of votes received determines the winner.

Q: How will a company know I nominated something it makes?
A: Companies with products nominated for Coolest Thing Made in Iowa will be notified by ABI.

Q: Can a company have multiple products in the competition?
A: Yes, but only one product per company can make it into the Top 16.

Q: When and where is the winner announced?
A: The winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa is unveiled annually during the Taking Care of Business Conference, an event that gathers hundreds of industry leaders from across the state. In 2024, the first-ever winner was a Vermeer ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler manufactured by Vermeer Corporation of Pella. In 2025, the title went to the John Deere CP770 cotton picker, manufactured by John Deere in Ankeny. Both winners were celebrated for their innovation, craftsmanship, and reflection of Iowa’s manufacturing strength.

Q: What products have won in other states?