Sacramento, CA – 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 competition hosted by CMTA aims to celebrate the spirit of innovation and creativity that defines the Golden State.
“California is the birthplace of many iconic creations and groundbreaking technologies. From aerospace to agriculture, biotech to clean tech, entertainment to the internet and beyond, our state’s inventive spirit has left an incredible mark on the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis. “I look forward to presenting the Coolest Thing Made in California award and seeing the amazing products that make it into the competition’s Top 4.”
California boasts 30,000 manufacturers and 1.3 million employees that contribute $310 billion to the state’s annual GDP. The winner of the Coolest Thing Made in California will be announced at CMTA’s inaugural MakingCA Conference in Sacramento on October 6, 2023.
“CMTA’s first-of-its-kind Coolest Thing Made in California competition brought forth hundreds of avant-garde products made right here in the Golden State,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA. “We are proud to showcase the products that make-up California’s manufacturing industry.”
California-made products will advance in weekly elimination-style rounds until there’s a Top 4, and voters will select the winner. The top 16 vote-getters from 100 nominations advanced to the Coolest Thing Made in California bracket. All nominations and votes were cast by the public at the contest website – CoolestThingCalifornia.com – set up by CMTA.
Media Contact:
Ananda Rochita
Vice President, Communications
916-531-4161
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.
