If the 2016 election season has you down don’t worry, brighter days are ahead because AZ Foothills annual battle for the best is right around the corner with some brand spanking new categories for 2017! Get ready to rock the vote in fresh categories like ‘Best Restaurant Group’ where Valley heavyweights including Fox Restaurant Concepts, Upward Projects, and Square One Concepts will duke it out. The popular Social Media category returns for a second year with categories like Best Pet Instagram (cue the aww’s) and Best Hair/Makeup Instagram Feed (aka Slay-gram). The Valley’s sister to the south, Tucson, gets its very own category featuring everything from Best Frozen Treat (hello Eegees) to Best College Bar (Maloney’s vs. Dirtbags).
The annual contest featuring the very best people, places, and things will commence on October 1st which means there’s still time to nominate your faves! Check out the list below for all the main categories and subcategories included in the 2017 contest.
To nominate a business for the contest please e-mail bestof@azfoothills.com by September 23, 2016. Each e-mailed nomination must include the following to be considered:
– Business name and description
– Contact info, including business owner, agency or PR representative name, address, URL, phone number, e-mail address, and social media accounts.
– Categories you believe the business would fit into (Examples: Best Burger, Most Fashionable Female Under 30, Best Florist, etc).
Arts & Entertainment
Best Acting Studio
Best Annual Charity Event
Best Annual Fashion Event
Best Annual Gala
Best Annual Valley Event
Best Art Gallery
Best Automobile Auction
Best Children’s Theater
Best Civic Organization
Best Concert Venue
Best Dance Studio
Best Haunted House
Best Improv Group
Best Local Artist – NEW
Best Local Band/Musician
Best Museum
Best Record Store
Best Rooftop For Events
Best Special Event Venue
Best Tattoo Artist
Best Theater
Companies & Professionals
Best Advertising Agency: Boutique
Best Advertising Agency: Large
Best Alterations/Dry Cleaning/Laundry
Best Alternative Personal Driver Service
Best Auctioneer
Best Bankruptcy Law Firm
Best Car Wash
Best Catering
Best CEO
Best Data Center
Best Divorce Attorney – NEW
Best Estate Planning & Trust Administration Law Firm
Best Event Design & Decorations
Best Family Law
Best Florist
Best Graphic Design
Best Intellectual Property Law Firm
Best Investment Firm
Best Modeling Agency
Best National Valley-Based Company
Best Photographer- Boudoir
Best Photographer- Commercial
Best Photographer- Events
Best Photographer- Family & Portraits
Best Photographer- Fashion & Beauty
Best Photographer- Real Estate & Interiors
Best Private Banking
Best Private Jet Company
Best Public Relations or Marketing Firm: Boutique
Best Public Relations or Marketing Firm: Large
Best Real Estate Law Firm
Best Realtor in the Valley
Best Real Estate Group – NEW
Best Social Networking and Online Media Firm
Best Valet
Best Web Design, Programming or Management Firm
Most Philanthropic Company
Escapes
Best Arizona Lake Escape
Best Arizona Ski Resort
Best Sedona Resort or Hotel
Best Southern Arizona Winery
Best Northern Arizona Winery
Best Arizona Mountain Escape
Best Northern Arizona Adventure
Best Southern Arizona Adventure
Best Sedona Spa
Best Northern Arizona Hike
Best Southern Arizona Hike
Best Northern Arizona Annual Event
Best Southern Arizona Annual Event
Food & Restaurants
Best Asian Cuisine
Best Baked Goods or Sweets
Best Barbecue
Best Breakfast
Best Burger
Best Business Lunch Spot
Best Chicago Deep Dish – NEW
Best Comfort Food
Best Country Club Chef – NEW
Best Culinary Event
Best Cup of Coffee
Best Cupcake
Best Date Spot
Best Dining with Live Music
Best Dining with a View
Best Doughnut
Best Farmers Market
Best Food Photography
Best Frozen Treat
Best Gluten-Free Menu
Best Grocery Store
Best Health or Vegetarian Food
Best Health Food Store
Best Hot Dogs
Best Italian
Best Locally Owned Drive-Thru
Best Macaron
Best Mexican Food
Best New Restaurant
Best Outdoor Dining
Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant
Best Pizza
Best Place to Watch the Big Game
Best Private Dining Room
Best Restaurant Group – NEW
Best Restaurant to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
Best Resort Restaurant
Best Sandwich Shop – NEW
Best Seafood
Best Spa Cuisine
Best Steakhouse
Best Sunday Brunch
Best Sushi
Best Taco
Best Tea Spot
Best Teppanyaki
Best Valley Food Truck
Best Dining with a View
Favorite Local Food Blog or Website
Most Amazing Restaurant Interior
Most Fun Lunch Spot
Old Favorite
Spiciest Dining
Health & Self
Best Alternative Exercise Option & Personal Training
Best Alternative Spa Treatment
Best Barre Studio
Best Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon: Female
Best Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon: Male
Best Bootcamp
Best Cosmetic Dentist
Best Day Spa or Nail Salon
Best Dentist or Dental Team
Best Dermatologist
Best Facial
Best Family Doctor
Best Fertility Doctor
Best Gym
Best Hair Extensions
Best Hair Stylist
Best Hospice
Best Hospital Group
Best Hot Yoga
Best Hotel Gym
Best Interval Training
Best Mani/Pedi
Best Massage
Best New Gym/Fitness Studio (Opened Within the Last Year)
Best OBG/YN
Best Orthodontist
Best Pilates Studio
Best Spin Class
Best Psychiatrist
Best Resort Spa
Best Salon
Best Spa Boutique
Best Spray Tan
Best Trainer
Best Veterinarian
Best Waxing
Best Yoga Studio
Home & Design
Best Appliance Store
Best Architect
Best Condo Development
Best Custom Cabinets
Best Custom Homebuilder
Best Interior Designer
Best Design Firm/Store
Best Flooring Company
Best Locally Owned Furniture/Home Store
Best Home Accessory Store
Best Home Theatre
Best Homebuilding Company
Best Interior Designer
Best Landscaping
Best Luxury Management Company
Best Luxury Rentals
Best Master-Planned Community/Development
Best Pool Company
Best Rug Company
Best Rug Company
Best Retirement/ Senior Living Community
Kids
Best Academic Tutoring Service
Best Birthday Party Spot
Best Children’s Hospital
Best Children’s Stylist
Best Day Summer Camp
Best Holiday Experience for Children
Best Kid-Friendly Hotel
Best Kid’s Clothing
Best Kid’s Entertainment Indoors
Best Kid’s Entertainment Outdoors
Best Kid’s Restaurant
Best Master-Plan Community for Children
Best Nanny Agency
Best Overnight Summer Camp
Best Pediatric Dentist Office
Best Pediatrician
Best Place For Kids Haircuts
Best Private High School
Best Private or Charter School
Best Splash Pad
Best Toy Store
Best Water Park
Most Entertaining Dinner Spot for Kids
Media
Best Anchor- Weekends
Best Country Radio Station
Best Local News Web site
Best Local Radio Talk Show or DJ- Afternoon Drive
Best Local Radio Talk Show or DJ- Midday
Best Local Radio Talk Show or DJ- Morning Drive
Best Local Radio Talk Show or DJ- Evening
Best News Station
Best Radio Station
Best Rock Radio Station
Best Talk News Radio Station
Best Today’s Hits Radio Station
Best Variety Station
Best Traffic Personality
Best TV Station GM/Producer – NEW
Favorite Afternoon or Evening Show
Favorite Anchor Team
Favorite Local Blog or Web site
Favorite Local Morning Show
Favorite Meteorologist or Weather Personality
Favorite Nightly Newscast
Favorite Sportscaster
Favorite TV Personality- Afternoon or Evening News- Female
Favorite TV Personality- Afternoon or Evening News- Male
Favorite TV Personality- Morning or Daytime- Female
Favorite TV Personality- Morning or Daytime- Male
Most Fashionable News Anchor
News Anchor of the Year
Nightlife & Cocktails
Best Arizona Brewery
Best Bar to Feed Your Inner Child
Best Bartender / Mixologist – Female
Best Bartender / Mixologist – Male
Strongest Drink
Best Bloody Mary
Best Blues/ Jazz Bar
Best Cocktail Waitress
Best Craft Cocktails
Best Comedy Club
Best Cougar Bar
Best Country Music Bar
Best Craft Beer Bar
Best Dance Floor
Best Dance Music Scene
Best Day Drinking Spot
Best Dive Bar
Best Gay Bar
Best Happy Hour
Best Hipster Bar
Best Karaoke Night
Best Late Night Munchies
Best Local DJ
Best Lounge
Best Margarita
Best Mimosa
Best Nightlife Photographer
Best Party Bar
Best Place to Discover New Music
Best Place to Spend a 21st Birthday
Best Place to Spend a 21st Birthday
Best Places to Buy Booze
Best Pub
Best Rooftop Bar
Best Saloon
Best Trivia Night
Best Wine Bar
People
Best Female PR
Best Male PR
Best Marketing Professional
Best Matchmaker
Best Worship Leader
Favorite Couple in the Valley
Favorite Valley Mom
Favorite Valley Dad
Favorite Local Lifestyle Blogger
Fittest Female
Fittest Male
Most Fashionable in the Valley Over 30- Men
Most Fashionable in the Valley Over 30- Women
Most Fashionable in the Valley Under 30- Men
Most Fashionable in the Valley Under 30-Women
Most Influential in Valley Business
Most Influential in Valley Education
Most Influential in Valley Food
Most Influential in Valley Nonprofit
Most Influential in Valley Politics
Most Influential Man in the Valley
Most Influential Woman in the Valley
Shopping
Best Antique, Vintage or Secondhand Store
Best Athletic Gear
Best Boutique- Local
Best Boutique- National or International
Best Cosmetics and Skincare
Best Denim
Best Department Store
Best Discount Store
Best Emerging Fashion Designer
Best Fragrance Selection
Best Gift Shop
Best Eyewear
Best Handbags and Accessories
Best Local Fashion Designer
Best Local Jewelry Store
Best Local Jewelry Designer Female
Best Local Jewelry Designer Male
Best Local Watch Selection
Best Local Apparel Designer – NEW
Best Motorcycle Dealer
Best National Jeweler
Best Outlets or Discount Shopping Center
Best Personal Shopper
Best Pet Shop
Best Place to Purchase a Bike
Best Shoe Shopping
Best Shopping Center- Indoors
Best Shopping Center- Outdoors
Best Swimwear Shopping
Best Saturday Shopping Market – NEW
Best Technology & Gadgets
Best Year-Round Resortwear
Social Media
Best Arizona Sorority Instagram – NEW
Best Branded Instagram
Best Celeb Twitter
Best Fashion Feed on Instagram
Best Fitness Instagram
Best Food Feed on Instagram
Best Hair Feed on Instagram – NEW
Best Local Celeb Instagram
Best Makeup Feed on Instagram – NEW
Best News Twitter
Best Pet Instagram – NEW
Best Travel/Adventure Instagram
Cutest Kids Instagram
Most #MCM Worthy Instagram
Most #WCW Worthy Instagram
Most Motivational Instagram – NEW
Sports
Best 19th Hole
Best AZ Cheerleaders or Dance Team
Best Clubhouse Spa
Best Custom Golf Clubs
Best Golf Clothing & Shopping
Best Golf Community
Best Golf Instructor
Best Private Golf Club
Best Pro Shop
Best Pro Sports Team
Best Public Course
Best Sporting Event
Best Sporting Goods Store
Best Sports Venue
Best Spring Training Field
Most Scenic Course
Favorite Arizona Coach
Favorite Arizona Pro Athlete – NEW
Favorite College Athletics
Most Challenging Course
Most Philanthropic Athlete
Stay & Play
Best Best Pet Resort/Boarding Facility
Best Casino
Best Downtown Phoenix Hotel
Best Lobby Bar
Best Movie Theatre
Best Movie Theatre: Dine in
Best Place to Discover Your Inner-Artist
Best Pool Party
Best Relaxing Resort Pool
Best Resort
Best Valley Adventure Experience
Best Valley Hike
Most Luxe Accommodations
Tucson – ALL NEW
Best Boutique
Best Breakfast Spot
Best College Party Bar
Best Craft Cocktails
Best Cup of Coffee
Best Custom Homebuilder
Best Dance Floor
Best Date Spot
Best Fashion Designer
Best Frozen Treat
Best Golf Course
Best Gym
Best Lunch Spot
Best Margarita
Best Mexican Food
Best Museum
Best News Station
Best Outdoor Dining
Best Radio Station
Best Ranch Escape
Best Resort
Best Resort Restaurant
Best Salon
Best Shopping Center
Best Spa
Best Special Event Venue
Best Taco
Best Tucson Lifestyle Instagram
Best Wedding Venue
Best Wine Bar
Favorite Couple in Tucson
Most Fashionable in Tucson – Men
Most Fashionable in Tucson – Women
Most Influential Tucson Man
Most Influential Tucson Woman
Weddings
Best Engagement Ring Store
Best Wedding Cakes – NEW
Best Wedding Catering Company
Best Wedding Dress Shop
Best Wedding Florist
Best Wedding Hair & Makeup
Best Wedding Photographer
Best Wedding Planner
Best Wedding Rentals – NEW
Best Wedding Venue
Best Wedding Videographer – NEW
