Florida Chamber launches second ‘Coolest Thing Made in Florida’ competition

Florida manufacturers are getting a chance to show off their products and earn some bragging rights.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce on Monday launched the second annual “Coolest Thing Made in Florida” competition, reopening statewide nominations for a bracket-style contest aimed at spotlighting products made across the state.

The initiative is part of a broader push to highlight Florida’s manufacturing footprint and the sector’s role in job growth and exports. Nominations opened Monday and will remain open through May 31. Manufacturers, employees and members of the public can submit products made in Florida for consideration.

After nominations close, the competition moves into a public voting phase beginning June 15, with the top 32 vote-getters advancing into a single-elimination bracket that runs through October. The inaugural contest drew more than 400,000 votes, according to organizers.

The winner will be announced Oct. 28 at the Florida Chamber’s Future of Florida Forum in Orlando.

“Florida’s manufacturers are helping drive job creation, economic growth, and innovation across our state,” said Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson. “Building on the momentum of our inaugural competition, the Coolest Thing Made in Florida continues to highlight the products and people powering our economy and reinforces our goal of making Florida a Top 5 manufacturing state by 2030.”

State officials and business leaders are positioning the competition as both a marketing tool for Florida-made products and a workforce-development effort aimed at elevating manufacturing as a career path.

“The Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition highlights the ingenuity of our manufacturers, elevates our Florida-made products and positions our state as a national leader in advanced manufacturing,” Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly said.

“With more than 27,000 manufacturing establishments across the state, Florida’s growing manufacturing sector continues to drive innovation — fortifying our future-focused economy and creating opportunities for Florida’s job seekers.”

Deputy Secretary of Economics and Chief Manufacturing Officer Jason Mahon added, “From cutting-edge technologies to everyday products, Florida manufacturers are producing world-class goods while inspiring the next generation of workforce talent. The Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition celebrates the innovative companies and highly-skilled workers that make up our state’s manufacturing industry — solidifying the foundation for Florida’s strong economy.”