Best of the Region – Lima
Celebrate the best businesses and organizations in the area with the Best of the Region – Lima! We put the power in your hands, the local community, to nominate and vote for your favorite companies in more than 180 categories. From trendy hotspots to hidden gems, this awards program is your chance to shine a spotlight on the establishments that make the Lima area stand out.
The Latest: Winners have been announced online for this year’s awards program and awards gala photos are up! Thank you to everyone that participated. We’ll see you next year!
How it Works
Each year, the Best of the Region – Lima recognizes more than 540 businesses and organizations, and we couldn’t do it without community members like you! The awards program starts with public nominations, and from the top five nominees in each category, the voting round selects the finalists and winners.
Nomination Round
- It all begins with nominations. In this round, the public can submit area businesses and organizations for consideration in each category, up to once a day. Users who nominate their favorites in 25 or more categories will be entered to win a $250 gift card!
Voting Round
- After nominations, the top five in each category move on to the voting round. Here, users vote up to once a day for their favorites among the five to determine winners! Another $250 gift card is up for grabs for those who vote in 25 or more categories.
Winners Announced
- Once voting ends, excitement builds as we prepare to reveal the winners! At the awards gala, we announce the businesses and organizations that have earned the most votes in each category. Results are shared with the public after the event.
The Categories
There are more than 180 categories in the Best of the Region – Lima! This list has been curated to best represent the Lima area. Nominate or vote in any or all of these categories during their respective period. Have a category suggestion? Complete the form at the bottom of this section.
Beauty & Health
Chiropractic Clinic
Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Center
Dental Clinic
Eye Care Professional
Family Practice
Hair Salon
Hair Stylist
Hearing Aid/Hearing Specialist Center
Home Health Care Services
Hospital Emergency Room
Hospital/Medical Center
Medical Supply Store
Nail Salon – Manicure/Pedicure
Nutrition/Vitamin/Supplement Store
Personal Trainer
Pharmacy/Drug Store
Spa
Tanning Salon
Tattoo Studio
Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic
Weight Loss Center
Dining
BBQ
Breakfast
Buffet
Burger
Caterer/Catering Company
Chef
Chinese Food
Coffee Shop
Curbside/Carry Out/Drive-Thru
Delivery
Dessert
Doughnut Shop
Early Bird/Senior Dinner
Fast Food
Fish
Food Truck
French Fries
Fried Chicken
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
Italian Food
Japanese Food
Local Coffee Shop
Mexican Food
Milkshakes
Outdoor/Patio/Rooftop Dining
Pizza
Ribs
Salad/Salad Bar
Seafood Restaurant
Steakhouse
Sub/Deli/Sandwich Shop
Sushi
Sweet Tea
Thai Food
Wings
Entertainment & Leisure
Hotel
Live Theater
Museum
Musician – Local
Radio Personality/Show
Radio Station – Local
TV Personality
Finance
Accountant
Bank
Credit Union
Financial Advisor Company
Mortgage Lending Company
Home & Home Services
Assisted/Senior Living Facility
Basement/Foundation/Water Proofing Service Company
Bathroom/Kitchen Remodeling Company
Cleaning Service Company
Door/Window Company (Service & Replacement)
Electrician/Electrical Service Company
Garage Door Company
Heating/AC Service Company
Home Repair/Remodeling Company
Lawn Care/Landscaping Company
Moving Company
Nursing Home
Pest Control Company
Plumbing Company
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Company – Commercial
Real Estate Company – Residential
Roofing Company
Security Company
Siding Company
Swimming Pool/Spa
Tree Service Company
Water Purification
Kids & Education
Beauty School
Child Care
College/University
Dance Studio/School
Gymnastics Studio
Karate/Martial Arts School
Pre-School
Technical/Trade School
Pets
Animal Rescue/Shelter/Adoption
Pet Grooming Company
Pet Kennel/Boarding/Day Care
Pet Store
Pet Training
Veterinarian
Veterinarian Clinic/ Animal Hospital
Services
Advertising/Marketing Agency
Appliance Repair Company
Attorney
Auction Company
Community Organization
Computer/Cell Phone Repair
Custom Printing/Screen Printer/Embroider
Dry Cleaning Company
Employment/Staffing Agency
Funeral Home/Crematory
Insurance Agency
Insurance Agent
Internet Provider
Junk Removal Services
Laundromat
Law Firm
Monument Company
Photographer/Videographer
Shopping
Antique/Coins & Collectibles Store
Appliance Store
Backyard Furniture/Patio Store
Boutique
Bridal/Formalwear Boutique
Children’s Clothing Store
Consignment Store
Deli
Farmers Market
Flooring/Carpet/Tile Co
Florist Shop
Furniture Store
Garden Center/Nursery
Gift Shop
Grocery Store
Hardware/Home Improvement Store
Jewelry Store
Lawn Equipment Store
Mattress Store
Meat Market
Men’s Clothing Store
Organic/Health Food Store
Paint Store
Pawn Shop
Shoe Store
Wigs/Hair Pieces/Hair Replacement
Spirits
Bloody Mary
Draft Beer Selections
Happy Hour
Liquor Store
Margarita
Martini
Sports Bar
Winery
Sports & Fitness
Fitness Center/Gym
Golf Course
Yoga/Pilates Studio
Vehicles, Dealers & Services
Auto Body/Collision Center
Auto Dealer Service Department
Auto Glass Repair Company
Auto Mechanic
Auto Parts Store
Auto Repair Shop – Independent
Boat/Marine Dealer
Car Rental Company
Car Salesperson
Car Wash/Detail Shop
Limo/Transportation Service Company
Motorcycle Dealer
New Car Dealership
New Truck Dealership
Oil Change Service
RV Dealership
Tire Center
Trailer Sales
Used Car Dealer
Used Truck Dealer
Suggest a Category
We love your category suggestions! Submit yours using the form below and it will be considered for next year’s awards program. *Indicates required field.
Awards Gala
The Best of the Region – Lima culminates in the announcement of the winners! This takes place at an exclusive awards gala open only to finalists and their guests, the local business leaders and residents of the community. The event starts with a cocktail hour with entertainment, followed by dinner and the awards presentation. The gala serves as not only a platform to celebrate the achievements of the winners, but also as an excellent opportunity for networking and recognition. Attire for the event is business/cocktail.
Winners Edition
Winners of the Best of the Region – Lima are revealed to the public in a winners edition. This commemorative, printed section will publish in the November 12, 2023 edition of The Lima News and will include all of the finalists and winners, along with their details. This guide is an excellent resource to keep on hand throughout the year for discovering the best businesses and organizations in the Lima area.
Publishes November 12, 2023 in The Lima News.
Winners and finalists can be viewed online for free after the section publishes.
Business Resources
The Best of the Region – Lima provides a one-of-a-kind platform for businesses and organizations to showcase their brand. By leveraging targeted digital ads, email marketing, DIY templates, and other marketing tools, companies can elevate their visibility during the nomination and voting phases, and beyond. It’s important to note that while these advertising opportunities can help boost a company’s chances, the decision ultimately rests with the public, as winners and finalists are determined through their votes.
Unique opportunities to promote your business or organization.
Leverage our program to gain exposure and attract new customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I go to nominate a company and what are the guidelines?
You can nominate a company once a day per category when the nomination round is active. To do so, navigate to the appropriate section and category on the ballot and type the complete company name. Once your choice has been input, complete the registration form (on your first visit) with your information and click the "Nominate" button. You can then continue nominating in other categories. There is no "Submit" button. If you nominate in 25 or more categories, you will be eligible to win the sweepstakes. To nominate again on future visits, you can use the “magic link” function that sends you an easy login email to sign back into the ballot.
I do not see a category that fits the company I would like to nominate. Can it be added?
Our categories are curated to best fit the area. However, each year we add and remove categories to drive innovation and rejuvenate the program. Once nominations have begun for that year's program, categories cannot be changed. If you would like us to suggest a category for future programs, please submit it here. When considering categories, we take several factors into account including popularity, community participation and the number of eligible companies in the area in that category.
My company made the top five in the nomination round. What happens next?
Congratulations on your company making the top five! This means you were in the top five by nominations in your category of all companies submitted during the nomination round. Your company moves on to voting where the winners are selected. Improve your chances by encouraging your fans to vote for you and contact us through the Business Resources section of this website to see how our advertising packages can help!
How do I vote in the program and can I "write in" a company during this round?
The nominees in the voting round consist of the top five companies from the nomination round. New companies cannot be added at this stage. To vote for a company, go to its category on the ballot and select “Vote” near its name. You can vote once a day per category when the voting round is active. After selecting the nominee, complete the registration form (on your first visit) and click the "Vote" button. You can then continue voting in other categories. If you input a company, your vote has been recorded. There is no "Submit" button. If you vote in 25 or more categories, you will be eligible to win the sweepstakes. If you participated in nominations, you must re-register, but your information will be carried over. To vote again on future visits, you can use the “magic link” function to sign back in.
My company made the top three in the voting round. What happens next?
Congratulations on your company making the top three! This means you were in the top three by votes in your category of all companies submitted during the voting round. You may even have won! Stay tuned to the big reveal when winners are announced and contact us through the Business Resources section of this website to see how our advertising packages can help you spread the word about your accomplishment!
My company's basic information is incorrect on the ballot. What can I do and how do I get my company details added to my listing?
We do our best to ensure company information is correct but acknowledge that errors can occur. If you notice any inaccuracies in your company’s basic information, contact us through the Additional Questions form below and let us know what is wrong and we will correct the issue. Maximize your company's visibility with our enhanced listings and advertising packages. Enhanced listings offer a comprehensive display of your company’s information, including your company logo. Additionally, our advertising packages enable you to actively promote your company and encourage the community to nominate or vote for you. contact us through the Business Resources section of this website now to get started!
How are companies alerted that they made the top five after nominations or top three after voting?
We diligently reach out by phone or email to each company to notify them of their top five or top three status, utilizing information collected from their websites, social media, or map listings. You should expect to hear from someone representing your local newspaper, USA TODAY NETWORK, USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, or Gannett. Be cautious of inbound calls from individuals not affiliated with these companies. You can always verify communications by contacting us through the Additional Questions form below. The top three list is also posted on this website after the ballot has been reviewed. If you haven't heard from us and want to know if your company made it to the top five or top three, please contact us through the Business Resources section of this website so that we can provide you with important program details and information on how our advertising products can help you promote your company!
How many times can I nominate or vote in the program and how do you prevent fraud?
You can nominate or vote in the program during their respective periods once a day per category using one individual email address. Our platform employs CAPTCHA technology to prevent bots and tracks IP addresses to prevent fraudulent voting and ensure accurate results. For more information, see our complete participation rules on our ballot pages.
How can my company increase its chances of being nominated or voted for in the program?
What comes with being named a finalist or winner in the program?
Winning or placing among the top three finalists in the Community's Choice Awards is a prestigious achievement that reflects a company's excellence in its respective industry. The winners and finalists are published online and publicized to the community, serving as a trusted resource for people searching for the best places to eat, shop, receive services and more. Companies can also showcase their accomplishments by using our free winner and finalist logos and purchasing winner plaques, finalist certificates and window clings that proudly display their achievement. Contact us through the Additional Questions form below to learn more about these opportunities.
Does this program require payment in exchange for participation, or is it solely based on the community’s nominations and votes?
Participation in the Community's Choice Awards is completely free of charge! We believe that every eligible company should have the opportunity to be recognized for their outstanding products, services and contributions to the community without any financial barriers. While we do offer advertising opportunities that can help boost a company’s chances, the decision ultimately rests with the public, as winners and finalists are determined through their votes. Company self-promotion with owned marketing channels to solicit nominations and votes are encouraged!
How do I find out the finalists and winners of this year's program?
After the program ends and we contact the finalists, we announce the winners and finalists online. Our online Winners Guide includes company details, making it a trusted resource for those looking for the best places to eat, shop, receive services and more. So, the next time you are searching for a new pizza place, need a reliable plumber, or are shopping for clothing, make sure to check out our guide for some top-notch recommendations!
Is there an awards ceremony or event for the program?
Currently, there is no formal awards ceremony for this program, but we do recognize and celebrate the achievements of participants by announcing the winners online after the completion of the program. As the program continues to grow and attract more participants, we may consider organizing an event to further enhance its prestige!
My company was selected as a finalist or winner. How can I get a plaque or certificate and window cling and when do they arrive?
If you purchased an advertising package, you should receive your window cling, certificate, or plaque within six to eight weeks of the winners being announced. If you did not purchase an advertising package, please contact us through the Additional Questions form below for information on their availability or how to purchase them. Don't forget, you can also showcase your accomplishment by using our free winner and finalist logos.
When is next year's program and what can my company do until then to improve my chances?
Stay tuned to the How it Works section on this website to find out when next year's awards program will take place. Typically, the program follows a similar timeline each year. In the meantime, we encourage you to motivate your company's employees to deliver outstanding experiences to your customers. When customers are impressed by your service or product, they are more likely to recommend you and keep you in mind during the awards program. Thank you for your participation and support, and good luck next year!
Additional Questions?
Have a question not answered above or just want to say hello? Email us your questions using the form below and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible! *Indicates required field.