Hosting a Best of Local Awards contest is a powerful way to bring communities together, promote local businesses, and celebrate what makes your neighborhood special. Whether it's honoring local shops, recognizing cultural venues, or spreading holiday cheer, a well-organized community voting event can engage residents and spark local pride. In this guide, we'll explore key use cases for Best of Awards and provide a step-by-step approach to running a successful contest.

Best of Local Businesses: Driving Support for Local Shops

One of the most popular types of community awards is the Best of Local Businesses. Chambers of commerce, business improvement districts, or local groups can organize contests to shine a spotlight on local businesses that provide outstanding service. These awards are crucial for building customer loyalty and boosting visibility for businesses that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Example Categories:

• Best Coffee Shop: Encourage residents to vote for their go-to coffee spot. A win in this category can draw in even more customers and build community recognition.
• Best Hair Salon: Recognize salons that offer exceptional customer service and hair care. Winning this category can significantly boost bookings and customer retention.
• Best Bookstore: Independent bookstores can receive much-needed recognition through this category, helping them stay relevant in the community.

A Best of Local Businesses contest serves as a valuable tool for fostering local economic growth. By promoting these contests via social media and local partnerships, business owners can encourage their customers to vote, while residents gain a sense of involvement by supporting their favorite shops.

Best of the Neighborhood: Celebrating Community Spirit

In many communities, it’s not just businesses that deserve recognition—parks, events, and neighborhood landmarks are often what define the area and build a sense of pride. Hosting a Best of the Neighborhood contest gives residents a chance to celebrate the spaces and events that make their community unique.

Example Categories:

• Best Park: Families and outdoor enthusiasts can vote on their favorite local park, highlighting green spaces that promote well-being and community connection.
• Best Local Event: Whether it’s a street fair, farmers' market, or music festival, recognizing the best local events can increase their visibility and attendance for future iterations.
• Best Landmark: Every neighborhood has unique landmarks that people identify with. This category can recognize anything from historical sites to beloved local murals.

By celebrating these elements of the neighborhood, the contest can strengthen community ties and boost participation in local events. Plus, highlighting public spaces can lead to increased investment in maintaining and improving them.

Best Tourist Attractions: Boosting Local Tourism

Tourism is an important driver of local economies, and a Best Tourist Attractions contest can help showcase both well-known destinations and hidden gems within your community. These awards draw attention to key spots that can boost visitor engagement, benefiting the local economy and providing fresh visibility to underappreciated locations.

Example Categories:

• Best Tourist Spot: This could be a famous historical monument, a scenic nature reserve, or a family-friendly attraction that draws in visitors from all over.
• Best Hidden Gem: This category allows residents to bring attention to lesser-known but beloved spots that out-of-towners might otherwise miss. From small cafes to quaint local shops, hidden gems help promote tourism while preserving the charm of the area.
• Best Local Tour: Organized tours often provide insights into a city’s history or its unique attractions. This category can recognize tours that provide visitors with memorable experiences.

By promoting tourism through these awards, communities can increase visitor foot traffic and create opportunities for local businesses to thrive.

Best of Arts and Culture: Supporting Local Creativity

Arts and culture are the lifeblood of many communities, and a Best of Arts and Culture contest is an excellent way to celebrate and support local talent. This type of contest highlights galleries, live performances, and cultural spaces that contribute to the community’s creative vibrancy.

Example Categories:

• Best Art Gallery: Recognize spaces that showcase local artists, helping them gain exposure and fostering a vibrant local arts scene.
• Best Live Music Venue: Highlight local music venues that create memorable experiences for residents and visitors. Winning this category can increase bookings for shows and draw attention to local talent.
• Best Theater Production: For communities with local theater companies, this category can celebrate the hard work of actors, directors, and production teams.

These contests can serve as a promotional tool for local venues, helping to draw larger audiences and support the growth of the arts in the area.

Best of Health and Wellness: Promoting Healthy Living

In communities that prioritize health and well-being, a Best of Health and Wellness contest can bring attention to businesses and organizations that help residents stay healthy and active. From fitness centers to wellness programs, these awards promote a culture of healthy living.

Example Categories:

• Best Fitness Center: Recognize local gyms, fitness studios, or wellness centers that offer excellent facilities and programs to support residents in staying fit.
• Best Health Food Store: Promote stores that provide healthy food options, helping the community make informed choices about nutrition.
• Best Wellness Program: Highlight wellness programs that improve physical and mental well-being, from meditation centers to holistic wellness retreats.

This type of contest can encourage healthier lifestyles within the community by promoting businesses and programs that focus on wellness.

Best Decorated: Spreading Holiday Cheer

During the holiday season, nothing brings a community together like festive decorations. Hosting a Best Decorated contest gives residents the opportunity to showcase their creativity and spread holiday cheer.

Example Categories:

• Best Holiday Lights Display: Neighbors can vote for the most spectacular and festive holiday light displays in their area.
• Best Creative Decoration: Recognize homes or businesses that go above and beyond with unique and imaginative holiday decorations, inspiring others to join in the fun.

By encouraging friendly competition and community participation, a Best Decorated contest can create lasting holiday memories for residents and visitors alike.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Best of Contest

Running a Best of Contest is easier than ever with modern voting platforms. Here’s an abridged step-by-step guide to creating and executing a contest based on the directions from: https://scribehow.com/shared/How_to_Design_and_Implement_a_Best_of_Voting_Contest__vJASjlfySB-DC7wPxGgaAg

1. Define Your Contest Purpose and Categories: Start by identifying what you want to achieve with the contest. Choose categories that are relevant to your community and align with your goals.
2. Set Up a Nomination Process: Allow community members to nominate their favorite businesses, parks, or other local entities. Use an online form to collect nominations and ensure the process is open and transparent.
3. Create a Voting System: Once nominations are in, set up an easy-to-use voting platform where community members can vote on their favorites. Make sure the voting process is mobile-friendly and accessible to all.
4. Promote the Contest: Use social media, local influencers, newsletters, and partnerships to spread the word about your contest. Engage with local businesses and encourage them to share the contest with their customers.
5. Announce and Celebrate the Winners: Once voting has concluded, announce the winners publicly. You can do this through a live event, social media posts, or a feature in a local newsletter. Consider offering small prizes or certificates to winners to celebrate their achievements.

By following these steps, you can easily organize a contest that drives community engagement and boosts local recognition.

Running a Best of Local Awards contest is a fantastic way to bring your community together, celebrate local talent, and promote local businesses. By exploring various categories, from local businesses and tourist attractions to arts and health, you can create a contest that reflects the unique qualities of your community. Following a straightforward step-by-step approach will ensure your contest runs smoothly and engages participants at every stage.