CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 1, 2026 – The NC Chamber has announced that the Coca-Cola Consolidated Mini Can is among the 88 products officially competing in its seventh annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” online competition. Presented by Allegacy Financial, the public contest celebrates North Carolina’s innovative manufacturing industry—an industry that generates more than 12% of the gross state product and employs over 9% of the state’s workforce.
Voting is now open at coolestthingmadeinnc.com, and the public can vote once per day through Wednesday, Sept. 2.
“We are honored to be nominated for this award,” said Dave Katz, Chief Operating Officer for Coca-Cola Consolidated. “Every mini can we manufacture represents the skill, dedication, and innovation of the thousands of local teammates who make, sell, and deliver Coca-Cola products every day across North Carolina. We are proud to be driving economic growth in communities large and small.”
“Congratulations to our 2026 nominees; each product tells a special story of the impact and innovation manufacturers have on our great state,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “As we always say at the NC Chamber: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina.”
In 2020, the NC Chamber launched the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” competition to celebrate North Carolina’s vital manufacturing community – and champion the next generation of manufacturers and creators by raising awareness about the rewarding careers of modern manufacturing.
Voting in the first round is open through Wednesday, Sept. 2. The semifinalists in each category will be announced live on YouTube on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The field will narrow with each round of public voting, and the three winning products will be revealed Thursday, Oct. 1, the day before National Manufacturing Day.
Join the contest’s social media campaign by following #CoolestThingMadeinNC. In addition to receiving a trophy, the winning companies and products will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications, podcasts, social and digital media, and other statewide publicity efforts.
About the Mini Can
The Coca-Cola Mini Can is more than a celebration of a beloved beverage. It is a tribute to the people, communities, and manufacturing excellence that help power one of North Carolina’s most iconic companies. Mini cans, packaged as 7.5 fluid ounces, are produced in a wide variety of Coca-Cola brands and flavors, including Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Cherry, Sprite, Fresca, Fanta Orange, and rotating seasonal and limited-edition offerings. Mini cans deliver the same iconic Coca-Cola taste in a convenient, portion-friendly package that meets the evolving preferences of today’s consumers.
