Idaho’s Best has grown a lot over the past few years. With more nominations, more votes, and more incredible companies participating across the state, we made a small update to the way finalists and winners are announced this year.

In the past, we selected one finalist from each of Idaho’s four regions in every category. Those finalists automatically became regional winners, and from that group we selected one statewide winner.

As the program has grown, that format started to feel limiting. In some categories we now see several outstanding businesses competing in the same region, while other regions may have fewer companies in that category.

This year we’ve made two important changes.

Finalists
Instead of selecting one finalist from each region, we now announce up to six finalists in each category, regardless of where they are located in the state. This allows the strongest companies in each category to rise to the top, even if several of them happen to come from the same area.

Every company named as a finalist will receive an award at the ceremony.

Regional Winners
We will still recognize regional winners, but they will only be selected in categories where there are at least three finalists competing within that region. Because of this, some categories may have fewer than four regional winners depending on where the finalists are located.

Statewide Winners
In addition to regional recognition, we will now award Gold, Silver, and Bronze statewide winners in every category.

Some companies may receive both a regional and statewide honor, while others may receive a statewide award only. This format allows the top performing businesses in each category to be recognized, even if several of them happen to come from the same region.

Our goal with these updates is simple. We want more businesses to have the opportunity to participate while still making sure we are recognizing the very best companies in Idaho.

We’re grateful to the thousands of Idaho residents who nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses each year, and we can’t wait to celebrate this year’s finalists and winners at the Idaho’s Best Awards Ceremony.