Dubuque product among finalists in Iowa’s Coolest Thing contest, voting open

A Dubuque product is one of the finalists in Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest, for which public voting is now open. After nearly 27,000 votes were cast during the popular vote round, the top 16 finalists have been selected, according to a press release. Maple-flavored Spam, produced by Hormel Foods in Dubuque, is among the finalists, which will compete in a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament. Manufacturers, consumers and the public can vote daily in each of the matchups at coolestthingia.com. Voting will conclude at the end of the day Wednesday. The winning product will be crowned at ABI’s Taking Care of Business Conference, which will take place June 10 to 12 in Council Bluffs.