Coolest Thing Made in Florida

Overview

The Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition is organized by the Florida Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Florida’s thriving manufacturing industry. This contest allows the public to nominate and vote for their favorite Florida-made products in a bracket-style elimination format.

By participating, entrants agree to abide by the following official rules, voting policies, and legal disclaimers.

1. Eligibility

• The product must be manufactured in Florida at a Florida-based facility.
• The company’s headquarters does not have to be in Florida, but the product must be produced in the state.
• Products that won the previous year’s competition are not eligible for nomination in consecutive years.
• The competition is open to Florida-based manufacturers, employees, and the general public who wish to nominate a product.
• No purchase is necessary to participate or win.

2. Nomination Guidelines

• Nominations Open: February 12 – May 31, 2025.
• Each nomination must include:
  • Product Name
  • Company Name
  • Company Website
  • Product Description (max: 300 characters)
  • Explanation of why the product is the Coolest Thing Made in Florida (max: 300 characters)
  • One high-resolution product image (required)
  • Company logo (optional but encouraged)
• Companies may submit multiple products, but only one product per company can advance beyond the nomination phase.
• Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

Disqualification Policy:

• The Florida Chamber reserves the right to disqualify any nominee that:
  • Does not meet eligibility criteria.
  • Violates the spirit of the competition or any applicable state or federal law.
  • Submits incomplete, misleading, or false information.
  • Uses fraudulent voting tactics (bots, multiple fake accounts, etc.).

3. Voting Process & Bracket Format

Phase 1: Popular Vote (Determines the Top 32 Finalists)

• Voting Period: June 17 – July 1, 2025
• Public voting is open to all nominees.
• Voters may vote once per day per product during this phase.
• The 32 products with the most votes will advance to the Bracket Competition.

Phase 2: Bracket Competition (Single Elimination Rounds)

• Voting begins July 15 and follows a head-to-head elimination format.
• Each round is determined by public votes.
• The product with the most votes in each matchup advances to the next round.
• Voting Schedule & Rounds:
  • Round of 32 → Top 16: July 15 – July 28 (Buffer: July 29 – Aug 2)
  • Top 16 → Top 8: August 3 – August 16 (Buffer: Aug 17 – Aug 21)
  • Top 8 → Top 4 (Quarterfinals): August 22 – September 4 (Buffer: Sept 5 – Sept 9)
  • Top 4 → Top 2 (Semifinals): September 10 – September 23 (Buffer: Sept 24 – Sept 28)
  • Final Round Voting: September 29 – October 13 (Buffer: Oct 14 – Oct 27)

4. Voting Rules

• Voting is open to the public and free of charge.
• Voters may vote once per day per matchup during the competition.
• Votes must be cast through the official website.
• The number of votes will reset at the beginning of each new round.
• Any fraudulent voting activity (e.g., automated voting, bot accounts, multiple fake accounts) will result in disqualification.

Verification Policy:

• The Florida Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to audit votes and remove invalid or fraudulent entries.
• Suspicious voting activity may be flagged for investigation before a round is finalized.

5. Winner Announcement & Prize

The winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Florida will receive:

• Official recognition and trophy at the Future of Florida (October 28, 2025).
• Statewide media exposure through the Florida Chamber’s platforms.
• A ‘Made in Florida’ Digital Badge for promotional use.
• Promotional opportunities via the Florida Chamber’s marketing channels.

6. Legal Considerations & Disclaimers

General Liability

• The Florida Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for:
  • Technical failures, human errors, or electronic malfunctions affecting nominations or votes.
  • Any unauthorized use of participant-submitted content.
  • Issues related to third-party platforms used to collect nominations or votes.

Publicity & Marketing Rights

• By participating, nominees grant the Florida Chamber of Commerce:
  • The right to use submitted product descriptions, images, and logos for promotional purposes.
  • Permission to feature the product in media, social media, press releases, and event materials.

Intellectual Property Rights

• The Florida Chamber of Commerce does not claim ownership of any submitted products, trademarks, or company branding.
• All participants are responsible for ensuring they own or have permission to use any images or materials submitted.

Disqualification & Contest Adjustments

• The Florida Chamber reserves the right to modify contest rules, dates, or procedures if necessary.
• The Florida Chamber reserves the right to disqualify participants who engage in unethical practices.
• All contest decisions are final.

Governing Law

• This contest is governed by the laws of the State of Florida.
• Any disputes must be resolved within the jurisdiction of Florida courts.

7. Contact Information

For questions or concerns, contact us at: ccampbell@flchamber.com