Sacramento, Calif. – The first-ever finalists of the Coolest Thing Made in California competition hosted by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) were announced today. From a pool of 100 nominated products and almost 77,000 votes later, the...
News & Insights
We’re changing the narrative of the manufacturing industry one story at a time. CMTA’s award-winning storytelling team showcases California’s 30,000 manufacturers by uplifting the voices of our makers. Find industry news and the stories from those “Making California” below.
Manufacturing Minute: Details on Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling’s $500 Million Expansion
Find out what's happening in the manufacturing industry on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ Details on Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling’s $500 Million Expansion ⚙️ Where Bosch stands on its move to Roseville, CA ⚙️ What to know about the first-ever...
Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to Present the Coolest Thing Made in California Award on National Manufacturing Day
Sacramento, Calif. – Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis announced today she will join the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) on National Manufacturing Day to present the award for the Coolest Thing Made in California. The inaugural...
World Leader in Metal Recycling Crushes its Way into CMTA Membership
Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed the metal recycling and processing company, SA Recycling, to the organization today. SA Recycling has grown from a small scrap yard to coast-to-coast operations with some 130...
CMTA’S President & CEO Releases Statement on Passage of SB 253 (Wiener)
Sacramento, Calif. – California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) President and CEO, Lance Hastings releases a statement on the passage of Senate Bill 253 (Wiener), the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act. “Earlier Tuesday, the California...
16 California-Made Products Advance in the First-Ever Coolest Thing Made in California Competition
Sacramento, CA – The excitement continues as the "Coolest Thing Made in California" competition enters its next thrilling phase! Hundreds of products were nominated and now 16 remain. Voting for which products will move into the Top 8 starts Monday, September 11 and...
Voting Starts for the Coolest Thing Made in California Competition
Sacramento, CA – Hundreds of California-made products have been nominated to the Coolest Thing Made in California competition, now it’s time to let the public decide which innovative product will secure a spot in the highly anticipated Top 16 bracket. From Monday,...
Manufacturing Minute: CHIPS Act Funding, Satellite Contract & Coolest Thing Made in California
Find out what's happening in the manufacturing industry on this week's Manufacturing Minute with Ananda Rochita. ⚙️ What Northrop Grumman & Lockheed Martin will make with a new $1.5B shared contract. ⚙️ Just how many CHIPS Act Funding applications the government...
Manufacturing Minute: New Investment by President Biden & Coolest Thing Made in CA Competition
October is just around the corner, which means a busy month showcasing makers for National Manufacturing Month! Check out this week’s Manufacturing Minute to hear the latest manufacturing news from California. ️⚙️ What to know about the Coolest Thing Made in...
Partner with CMTA to Celebrate ‘The Coolest Thing Made in California!’
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is excited to announce the launch of our new annual awards program, "The Coolest Thing Made in California." This initiative aims to celebrate the ingenuity and creativity of California manufacturers,...
Press Release
CMTA Unveils Inaugural Coolest Thing Made in California Awards Contest
Celebrating Innovation, Excellence, and Creativity in California’s Robust Manufacturing Industry
Sacramento, Calif. –The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is proud to unveil its groundbreaking awards contest in search of the Coolest Thing Made in California. This exciting first-of-its-kind competition for California is set to showcase the finest innovations, exceptional craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technologies the Golden State offers.
The Coolest Thing Made in California awards contest is a unique opportunity for manufacturers throughout the state to highlight their most remarkable and inventive products. With a diverse range of industries and businesses that call California home, from aerospace and electronics to food and beverages, this contest will undoubtedly uncover a wealth of extraordinary creations that showcase the state’s innovative spirit.
“We are thrilled to bring forth the first-ever Coolest Thing Made in California awards, an event that truly exemplifies the remarkable accomplishments of our state’s manufacturers,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA. “California has always been at the forefront of innovation, and this contest serves as a testament to the unparalleled creativity and excellence that define our manufacturing community. We look forward to finding the coolest things made in our backyards.”
This year’s schedule is as follows:
Nominations Open: Aug. 21 – 31
Anyone, including manufacturers, local and state leaders, and the public, are encouraged to submit their nominations for what they believe to be the “Coolest Thing Made in California.” This initial stage is crucial in identifying the groundbreaking products that exemplify the essence of innovation.
Popular Vote: Sept. 4 – Sept. 8
Once nominations are closed, the public gets the chance to weigh in. During this period, the nominated products will be open to a popular vote, giving voters a voice in determining which creations resonate the most with them.
Top 16 Vote: Sept. 11 – 14
The top 16 vote-getters from the popular vote phase will advance to the bracketed contest rounds. This is where the competition intensifies as the products go head-to-head in a series of elimination rounds.
Top 8 Vote: Sept. 18 to 21
The top 8 vote-getters from the previous bracket will advance.
Top 4 Vote: Sept. 25 to 28
The top 4 vote-getters from the previous bracket will advance. Only one product will be named the Coolest Thing Made in California.
Winner Announced: Oct. 6
The grand finale of the Coolest Thing Made in California awards contest is set to take place on Oct. 6 at CMTA’s inaugural MakingCA Conference on National Manufacturing Day. The prestigious winner will be revealed during this event, celebrating the ingenuity of California’s manufacturing sector and the incredible products contributing to the state’s reputation as a hub of innovation.
As the clock ticks down to the event, manufacturers, industry professionals, and the public are all invited to join in this celebration of innovation. The Coolest Thing Made in California awards contest promises to shine a spotlight on exceptional products and inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and creators that will shape the future of manufacturing in the state.
For more information, updates and to participate in the contest, please visit coolestthingcalifornia.com.
##
About CMTA:
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state. For more information, visit the CMTA website.