Recognizing Excellence Across Washington
Great businesses stand out in different ways.
The Washington Choice Awards recognize businesses and organizations that raise the bar through exceptional service, skilled work, community impact, innovation, and the experiences they create for the people they serve.
Explore the inaugural 2026 award categories and nominate a Washington business you believe deserves recognition.
There’s More Than One Way to Be Exceptional.
A neighborhood restaurant and a remodeling company may have very little in common—but both can make a meaningful impact on the people they serve.
That’s why the Washington Choice Awards recognize excellence across several categories rather than trying to define one kind of “best.”
Community Impact
For businesses and organizations making Washington communities stronger.
The Community Impact Award recognizes organizations that make a meaningful difference beyond the products or services they provide.
Recipients may stand out through charitable work, volunteering, local partnerships, community involvement, accessibility, environmental stewardship, or simply a demonstrated commitment to the people and places around them.
We look for:
- Meaningful community involvement
- Evidence of positive local impact
- Commitment beyond ordinary business operations
- Consistent support for the community
Meaningful community involvement
Customer Service Excellence
For businesses that make taking care of people a priority.
Great customer service is more than being friendly. It’s communicating clearly, keeping promises, solving problems, and making customers feel valued.
The Customer Service Excellence Award recognizes Washington businesses that have developed an exceptional reputation for the way they treat the people they serve.
We look for:
- Consistently positive customer experiences
- Strong public reputation and feedback
- Responsiveness and communication
- Professionalism and reliability
- Evidence of going above and beyond
Excellence in Craftsmanship
For people who take pride in doing the job right.
The Excellence in Craftsmanship Award recognizes exceptional skill, quality, attention to detail, and pride in the work.
While particularly relevant to contractors, builders, makers, artists, manufacturers, and skilled trades, craftsmanship can take many forms. What matters is a clear commitment to quality.
We look for:
- Exceptional quality of work
- Skill and expertise
- Attention to detail
- Consistency
- Demonstrated pride in the finished product
Washington Hidden Gem
For the places you almost want to keep to yourself.
Some of Washington’s best businesses aren't household names.
The Washington Hidden Gem Award celebrates outstanding local businesses and organizations that deserve to be discovered by more people.
Maybe it’s the little restaurant tucked away downtown. The contractor everyone recommends by word of mouth. The independent shop with an incredibly loyal following. Or the business you can't believe more people don't know about.
If your reaction is, “You HAVE to check this place out,” we want to hear about it.
We look for:
- Exceptional customer or community experiences
- Strong local reputation
- Something distinctive or memorable
- Enthusiastic recommendations from the people who know them
- Potential to be appreciated by a wider audience
Emerging Business
For newer businesses already making an impression.
Building something new isn't easy.
The Emerging Business Award recognizes promising Washington businesses that demonstrate strong early momentum, creativity, professionalism, and the potential to become lasting parts of their communities.
This award is intended for businesses operating for approximately three years or less.
We look for:
- Strong early reputation
- Clear momentum or growth
- Creativity and initiative
- Professionalism
- A compelling product, service, or customer experience
- Potential for long-term success
Recognition Should Mean Something.
A nomination puts a business on our radar. It does not guarantee an award.
Nominees are reviewed using criteria appropriate to each award, including publicly available information, reputation, nomination details, demonstrated work, and other relevant evidence.
Relationships and potential conflicts of interest are disclosed and considered during the review process.
Most importantly, businesses cannot purchase a Washington Choice Award.
Learn About Our Selection ProcessFrequently Asked Questions
Nominations are one of the primary ways we discover businesses, but the Washington Choice Awards may also identify potential recipients through independent research and recommendations.
Yes. Self-nominations are welcome. We simply ask that you identify your relationship to the organization when submitting the nomination.
Absolutely. Customers, friends, employees, vendors, professional partners, and community members may all submit nominations. Relationships should be disclosed on the nomination form.
No. There is no fee to nominate a business, be considered for an award, or receive recognition.
Not necessarily. The Washington Choice Awards recognize excellence rather than forcing unrelated businesses into a single statewide ranking. Multiple organizations may receive recognition when they independently meet the standards of an award.
The 2026 Washington Choice Awards are currently accepting nominations. Award announcements and important dates will be published as the inaugural program progresses.
Who Deserves Some Recognition?
Great businesses often grow because someone decided to tell another person about them. This is another way to do exactly that. Tell us about a Washington business, nonprofit, entrepreneur, or organization you think deserves to be recognized.
Nominate a Business