Recognition With a Reason Behind It.
A Washington Choice Award isn't automatically given because someone submits a nomination, collects the most votes, or pays a fee.
Each potential recipient is reviewed individually, using the nomination, publicly available information, demonstrated reputation, and the criteria relevant to the recognition being considered.
Our goal is simple: recognize Washington businesses and organizations we believe genuinely deserve to be noticed.
How It Works.
- Step 01
Discovery
Businesses come to our attention through nominations, recommendations, and independent research.
- Step 02
Eligibility
We confirm the nominee serves Washington communities and fits the recognition being considered.
- Step 03
Research
We review reputation, customer feedback, demonstrated work, community involvement, and other public information.
- Step 04
Evaluation
We consider the available information against the purpose and criteria of the relevant award.
- Step 05
Selection
Recipients are selected when there is a strong and reasonable basis for recognition.
- Step 06
Recognition
Selected recipients are contacted and may receive an official award profile and digital recognition materials.
What Makes a Business Stand Out?
The factors we consider vary depending on the award, but our review generally looks at the qualities below. Not every factor applies to every award, and no single factor guarantees or prevents selection.
Explore the Awards
Reputation
What do customers, clients, community members, and others consistently say about the organization?
Quality & Consistency
Does the organization consistently demonstrate care, expertise, attention to detail, and exceptional work?
Customer Experience
Does the organization communicate well, treat people fairly, solve problems, and create positive experiences?
Community Impact
Does the organization contribute something meaningful to the people and community around it?
Professionalism
Does the business demonstrate reliability, transparency, responsiveness, and pride in how it operates?
Distinction
Is there something about the organization, its work, story, or approach that deserves particular recognition?
A Collaborative Review Process.
Washington Choice Awards is an independent recognition initiative established in 2026.
Award decisions are overseen by Washington Choice Awards with input from a small group of contributors, community members, business professionals, and subject-matter perspectives when appropriate.
The people involved in a particular review may vary depending on the award, industry, location, and expertise needed.
As the program grows, we intend to continue expanding the range of community and professional perspectives involved in the recognition process.
What won't change is our commitment to making award decisions based on a genuine belief that the recipient deserves recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Self-nominations are allowed. Being nominated does not guarantee selection, and self-nominated businesses are considered using the same general principles as other nominees.
No. The number of nominations may demonstrate community enthusiasm, but Washington Choice Awards are not currently determined by nomination totals.
They may be. Reviews can provide useful evidence about reputation and customer experiences, but they're considered alongside other available information.
Yes. Unless a specific award explicitly states otherwise, recognition does not necessarily represent a first-through-last ranking. Multiple organizations may be recognized when each independently meets the standards of the award.
No. Purchases, advertising, sponsorships, business relationships, and optional promotional products do not guarantee or purchase an award.
Yes. Washington Choice Awards retains discretion over its recognition decisions and may decline, reconsider, or withdraw recognition when appropriate, including when significant new information becomes available.
Our Process Will Grow With Us.
2026 is the inaugural year of Washington Choice Awards.
Our selection process will continue to develop as the program grows, more communities participate, and we bring additional perspectives into the review process.
We may refine criteria, introduce new recognition types, establish specialized review groups, or incorporate community voting into certain future awards.
When significant changes are made to how awards are selected, we'll update our published process accordingly.
The goal isn't to build the most complicated awards system. It's to build one people can trust.
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