Celebrating Manufacturing Excellence: The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut

By: Amanda Beaulieu

(Hartford, CT, September 6, 2024) – It is a first-of-its-kind competition for Connecticut – the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.

Celebrating the excellence of the state’s manufacturing industry, this single-elimination bracket-style tournament lets the public vote on their favorite Connecticut-made products.

Sixteen incredible competitors, from classic candy and tasty treats to an innovative medical device, precision military equipment, and a bell that instantly evokes holiday nostalgia will compete head-to-head over five weeks.

The winner will be revealed at the Connecticut Manufacturing Summit on Oct. 2, 2024, and officially crowned the “Coolest Thing.”

Presented by the CBIA Foundation in partnership with CONNSTEP, The Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, and with generous support from CliftonLarsonAllen, the competition highlights and celebrates the innovation of the over 4,500 manufacturers that are the backbone of Connecticut’s economy.

It provides a unique opportunity to showcase the broad array of products our world-class workforce proudly produces each day.

As the Connecticut representative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), CONNSTEP is dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers across our state and is proud to partner on the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.

“It’s very exciting for us,” CONNSTEP President & CEO Beatriz Gutierrez said on Fox61 News.

“Connecticut is a place of innovation. We have so much vitality and so many great ideas.

“And this is an opportunity to highlight those products and highlight that innovation and to really get people engaged in understanding what manufacturing is all about.

“The thing about manufacturing is it’s a core industry for the state, but the most important thing is it really creates excellent jobs.” Voting for the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut continues through September 27, 2024, and nominations are already open for the 2025 competition!

Stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s winner!

About CONNSTEP: A member of the MEP National Network, CONNSTEP is a manufacturing consultancy firm committed to assisting small-to-medium sized companies. Its team implements advanced business and technical solutions, along with workforce strategies, to facilitate growth, enhance profitability, and establish sustainable competitive advantages for organizations.

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