Hoosier State Today

With the competition heating up, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's annual Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana tournament has narrowed down to its elite eight contenders. The event, now in its fourth year, initially saw a record 90 competitors vying for the title. This year's tournament is hosted in collaboration with the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC), which has significantly boosted participation and interest.

The remaining eight competitors hail from seven different cities across Indiana. The products that have advanced to this stage include Bear Wallow Distillery's Hoosier Hooch Sugar Cream Pie Moonshine from Nashville, Blue Fox Farms LLC's Dormant Native Plant Roots from Wawaka, Clabber Girl's Baking Soda from Terre Haute, Country Roads Coffee's Fresh-Roasted Coffee from Albion, Gator's Guitar Mini Vaults from Columbia City, Guardian Bikes' Kid’s Bicycle from Seymour, Hard Truth Whiskey Co.'s Sweet Mash Whiskey also from Nashville, and Harpsicle Harps' Handcrafted Harps from Rising Sun.

Voting for these products will take place over several rounds: quarterfinals are scheduled for November 22-26; semifinals for November 27-December 2; and finals will occur on December 3-5. Fans can participate by voting online at www.indianachamber.com/coolestthing.

Vanessa Green Sinders, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber, commented on the enthusiasm surrounding this year's contest: “With well over 10,000 votes cast this year, interest in this competition is at an all-time high,” she said. “And it’s no wonder. The array of products entered this year is spectacular, and we can’t wait to see who will be voted the coolest of them all.”

This year's contest incorporates elements of IDDC’s "IN Indiana" marketing campaign and follows a single-elimination format similar to Hoosier Hysteria-style tournaments. New additions include high-quality videos produced by IDDC showcasing each quarterfinalist; these videos can be used by companies for their own promotions.

Entry into the contest is free and open to any product manufactured within Indiana. Last year's winner was Hoosier Racing Tire with its racing tire product. Previous winners include Janus Motorcycles in Goshen during the inaugural event and Maple Leaf Farms in Leesburg with their roast half duck entry in 2022.

Awards for top finishers will be presented at the Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on December 11 at Indianapolis’ Indiana Roof Ballroom. Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership serves as a spirit sponsor alongside gold sponsor Kalenborn Abresist Corporation and silver sponsors Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories and Kimball Electronics Jasper.