Over 1,000 businesses vie for ‘Best of Southern Utah’ as last day of nominations arrives

ST. GEORGE — It takes several different pieces coming together to help create something great – the big picture – and it’s no different when it comes to life in Southern Utah. Canyon Media, the parent company for St. George News, wants to give you the opportunity to let your voice be heard and nominate those people, places and things you love most about the area for the “Best of Southern Utah.”

There is just one more day for the first part of the competitions: nominations. On Jan. 28, readers started submitting nominations at BestofSouthernUtah.com for the best places in the community for food, drinks, entertainment and much more. Who makes the best pizza or smoothies? Where’s the best place to go shopping or take in a movie or play? As of Feb. 13, the last day for nominations, over 1,000 local businesses have already been nominated, said Ben Lindquist, general manager of Canyon Media,

“I love Southern Utah; it’s an incredible place to live, work and visit,” Lindquist said. “Our goal with the Best Of Southern Utah is to help people discover the very best places to visit, eat, shop, find a snack or choose a doctor and more. And it’s all voted by the community. We’re thrilled to find and highlight the best of Southern Utah and look forward to seeing who is nominated and ultimately wins.”

There are eight main categories – such as “Eat & Drink,” “Shopping,” and “Professional Services” – with several subcategories branching off from those. Nominations, which are free to submit, will be accepted through Feb. 13., and then voting starts Feb 24. and goes through March 15.

Talk about it with friends and family. Get those dinnertime conversations started. Just try to keep it friendly – compared to the issues raised by the 2018 election, these topics should be a piece of cake. And where is the best bakery, by the way?

Please keep in mind that nominations and voting can only be done through the Best of Southern Utah website.

The results of the survey will be published May 20. Winners will receive a certificate they can display so when community members and tourists visit these establishments, they will know they are going to the best of the best.

Partnered with Canyon Media in powering the Best of Southern Utah program is Nerus Strategies, LLC, an Oregon-based company also attached to the “Best of Las Vegas” and “Best of Branson” programs. These particular programs are done in partnership with area news publications.

It was because of this extensive background in “Best Of” programs throughout the United States – especially their flagship Best of Las Vegas program — that Canyon Media chose to partner with Nerus Strategies, said Shane Brinkerhoff, Canyon’s chief technology officer.

We felt that model translated really well to the Southern Utah market,” he said, adding that using Nerus Strategies’ Best Of program also adds a high level of credibility and cutting edge experience.

“They have this software down to such a science, it’s unbelievable,” Brinkerhoff said.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.

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8 Comments

  • jpff January 16, 2019 at 6:49 am

    I am not certain I feel comfortable with rating businesses this way. I like the system that allows any and all businesses to get up to a five-star rating, but this one, unless I read the article incorrectly, will give only one business in a particular division the certificate, even if it wins by only one vote. People may assume that others don’t rate, or one business might get family and friends to stack up the numbers for them. This could give an incorrect view of everyone else, as I have seen when students are asked to choose the school’s “best teacher.” In many cases, the choice was one who was popular but ineffective. It left others wondering about themselves.
    There is no venom as I write this. I can choose not to vote or to look at the results later, so it will not make a difference to me.

  • st george boy January 16, 2019 at 2:30 pm

    Isnt it interesting that it is supposed to be public opinion, but as a local business I’m supposed to pay money so that I can win. I reached out to a few of my friends that our also local business owners and they are being pitched the same “opportunity” to win. Just another way for St George News to make money off of local business’ that are fighting month in and month out to keep expenses down so they can continue to service the community the best food around.

    Shame on you!

    • Avatar photo Paul Dail January 16, 2019 at 5:50 pm

      st george boy,

      Thank you for your comment and expressing your concerns. All voting is done through a 3rd party software company, plus there is zero cost to a business or their customers to nominate or vote. Neither Canyon Media nor St. George News has the ability to adjust or change winners or votes for any of the categories or businesses. We encourage every local business to encourage – and subsequently remind – their loyal customers to vote for their category and business through whatever means the business owners feel will be the most effective, be it through social media or advertising campaigns. Pulling off a promotion like this is a heavy undertaking and centers on highlighting the amazing businesses in Southern Utah. We hope you will still participate in whatever capacity you see fit. If you have any other concerns feel free to reach out to the main Canyon Media offices.

      Thanks again,
      Paul Dail
      Editor in chief

      • st george boy January 17, 2019 at 8:15 am

        I didnt expect you to agree that it was another opportunity to add to your bottom line. When I am contacted by the company that is sponsoring the “poll” to go over packages that can help me win all the categories that I should be in doesn’t leave me to feel that it is in the best interests of the community.

        • Avatar photo Paul Dail January 17, 2019 at 9:44 am

          st george boy,

          I have passed your thoughts along, of course, but as this is about how you were approached, again, if you have concerns with the way you believe it was handled or how you felt the contest was represented, I encourage you to call Canyon Media’s main offices and ask to speak with one of the sales managers.

          Paul Dail
          Editor in chief

  • KR567 January 16, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    What this town needs is a decent donut shop

    • Mike January 17, 2019 at 10:10 pm

      Amen.

    • just saying January 28, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      We sure do! When I moved here 13 yrs ago, I was stunned that they do not have donut shops! Grocery store donuts just don’t do the trick for me. I have always enjoyed going into a donut shop, ordering my coffee and sitting there reading the news and talking to customers.

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