The Indiana Chamber’s annual Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana contest is down from a record 90 competitors to the Sweet 16 as the fourth round is now underway through November 21.
The Indiana Chamber is joined this year by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) in putting on the program. The IDDC’s “IN Indiana” marketing campaign is incorporated into the single-elimination, Hoosier Hysteria-style tournament.
The “Coolest Thing” Sweet 16 manufacturers are from 14 cities throughout the state, with Fort Wayne and Nashville each having two companies still in the field. Remaining competitors and their locations are below:
- Bear Wallow Distillery, Nashville
- Blue Fox Farms LLC, Wawaka
- Clabber Girl, Terre Haute
- Country Roads Coffee, Albion
- Fort Wayne Metals, Fort Wayne
- Gator, Columbia City
- Goshen Brewing Co., Goshen
- Guardian Bikes, Seymour
- Hard Truth Whiskey Co., Nashville
- Harpsicle Harps, Rising Sun
- Hiker Trailers, Columbus
- Kimball International, Jasper
- L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Fort Wayne
- Polygon Company, Walkerton
- Rolls-Royce North America, Indianapolis
- Smoker Craft, Inc., New Paris
“With such fierce competition, it’s no easy feat to get to the round of 16, so these victors should be very proud to march on in the tournament,” offers Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber president and CEO.
“Just one more victory and these organizations will be in the coveted quarterfinals. From there it’s three short, yet difficult, steps to claim the ‘Coolest’ title – and bask in the brightest spotlight. We can’t wait to see how the contest plays out.”
The matchups and product descriptions can be seen on the event’s website atwww.indianachamber.com/coolestthing; it’s also where fans and followers of the competitors can vote.
A person must vote for all matchups in any given round.
The quarterfinals take place November 22-26, followed by the semifinals November 27-December 2 and the finals December 3-5.
New this year, the IDDC will produce high-quality videos showcasing the eight quarterfinalists, which those companies will be able to use for their own promotions – and bragging rights.
Entry in the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana contest is free. To participate, a company did not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be manufactured in the state. Companies are limited to having one product nominated for entry.
Last year, Hoosier Racing Tire was crowned as the producer of the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana for its racing tire. Janus Motorcycles of Goshen took top honors in the inaugural competition, and in 2022 the Indiana Chamber honored Maple Leaf Farms of Leesburg for its roast half duck.
Awards for this year’s top finishers will be presented at the 2024 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on December 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
The Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana and Best IN Manufacturing endeavors are supported by spirit sponsor Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP), with gold sponsor Kalenborn Abresist Corporation and silver sponsors Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories and Kimball Electronics Jasper.