The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Arizona Manufacturers Council have opened nominations for two statewide competitions recognizing standout products, companies, and leaders across Arizona’s manufacturing sector.
The fourth annual Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition, sponsored by Grand Canyon University, invites manufacturers of all sizes to nominate products made in the state. Eligible entries can come from global companies, small businesses, artisan producers and independent makers.
Competition winners will be announced at an awards luncheon on October 13 as part of the Arizona Manufacturers Council’s Manufacturing Month programming.
“Arizona manufacturers are building everything from advanced aerospace and defense systems to semiconductors, lifesaving medical devices and everyday products that shape how we live and work,” said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. “This competition is our chance to show people just how much is being made here, recognize the skilled teams behind those products and have a little fun deciding which one deserves the title of Hottest Thing Made in Arizona.”
The competition returns as Arizona continues to attract major manufacturing investment and international attention.
TSMC recently announced an additional $100 billion investment in its Phoenix operations, bringing the company’s planned Arizona investment to $265 billion. The expanded plans include six semiconductor fabrication facilities, two advanced packaging facilities and a research and development center.
Amkor Technology’s planned $7 billion advanced semiconductor packaging and testing campus in Peoria was also named the No. 1 economic development deal in North America for 2025 by Site Selection magazine. The project is expected to create as many as 3,000 jobs.
Past winners of the Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition include:
- Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopter in 2023
- The Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor in 2024
- Honeywell Aerospace’s 131-9 auxiliary power unit in 2025
Nominations are also open for the 2026 Arizona Manufacturer of the Year Awards, which recognize companies, industry leaders, and achievements in seven categories:
- Small Manufacturer of the Year
- Medium Manufacturer of the Year
- Large Manufacturer of the Year
- Excellence in Innovation
- Excellence in Sustainability
- Champion of the Year
- Arizona Success Story
“These awards recognize the companies and people translating Arizona’s manufacturing momentum into real products, high-quality jobs and stronger communities,” Appelbe said. “Whether they employ thousands of people or a few dozen, Arizona manufacturers are solving difficult problems, investing in their teams and proving that our state can compete with anyone.”
The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition will include a series of public voting rounds, allowing employees, customers and communities to rally behind their favorite Arizona-made products.
Nominations can be submitted at HottestThingAZ.com.
