SRQ MEDIA’s Best of SRQ Local Readers Competition celebrates the region’s best locally owned establishments. Each year, we invite our astute readers to nominate and vote for their favorites across local eats, shopping, arts, luminaries and can't-miss spots. The celebration culminates in the highly anticipated “Best of SRQ Local” awards feature, published in the April edition of SRQ Magazine—a vibrant showcase of the locally owned businesses, organizations and experiences that make our hometown so special. Best of SRQ Local is more than just a list of winners; it’s a way of honoring the people and places that bring our community to life and supporting the local establishments that shape Sarasota.
*Stay Tuned—Offical Ballot Coming Soon*
.jpg "BOSRQ 2027 Kickoff Party Card")
Nominations Open: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Share the love and nominate your favorite restaurants, businesses, people and places.
The top vote-getters will be included on the final voting ballot and move on to the Voting Round.
Nominate often—only nominations receiving the most submissions move on to the Official Ballot.
We encourage readers to submit nominations in at least 5 categories.
Voting Opens: Wednesday, January 6, 2027
Once you create your account, you can vote for your favorites at any time once a day during the four weeks of each round.
You will be required to vote in at least 15 different categories for your ballot to be validated.
Celebrate your recognition with us at the annual Decals & Donuts event!
Join us at SRQ Studios on May 31, 2027 for donuts, coffee, music and to claim your 2027 BOSRQ decals!
Published in the April 2027 edition of SRQ Magazine.
We announce the placement of our readers' winners in a special Readers Guide to the Winners.
Also published online on our website for you to access throughout the year.
In the spirit of the competition, only one email address per person will be allowed.
We are working with the platform provide SecondStreet/Upland to introduce new measures in
monitoring ballots to avoid practices that are not in the spirit of this readers competition.
Any person using multiple email addresses may be subject to ballot rejection.
How often can I vote?
You may vote once per day in each category throughout the official voting period.
Return daily to continue supporting your favorite local businesses, organizations and community leaders.
How many ballots or accounts may I create?
In the spirit of a fair and community-driven competition, only one ballot or voting account is permitted per person.
Creating multiple ballots or accounts may result in votes being removed or disqualified.
How many categories must I vote in for my ballot to be verified?
You must vote in at least 15 different categories for your ballot to be considered complete and eligible for verification.
Ballots that do not meet the minimum category requirement may not be included in the final results.
Do I have to vote in every category?
No. You are not required to vote in every category. However, you must vote in at least 15 different categories for your ballot to be verified.
We encourage you to explore the full ballot and recognize as many outstanding local businesses, organizations and individuals as possible.
Can I vote for the same business in more than one category?
Yes. A business, organization or individual may appear in multiple categories when applicable.
You may vote for the same nominee in each category in which they are listed.
Can I change my vote after it has been submitted?
Once a daily vote has been submitted, it may not be possible to edit or replace it.
Please review your selections carefully before submitting your ballot.
Why am I being asked to provide my contact information?
Voter information helps SRQ Magazine verify ballots, protect the integrity of the competition and prevent duplicate or fraudulent voting activity.
Your information will be handled in accordance with SRQ Media’s privacy practices.
Are votes reviewed or verified?
Yes. Votes and ballots may be reviewed to confirm that they follow the official competition guidelines. Suspicious, automated,
duplicated or otherwise ineligible voting activity may be removed at the discretion of SRQ Magazine.
Can I vote for my own business or workplace?
Yes. Business owners and employees may participate as individual voters. Each person must follow the same voting guidelines,
including maintaining only one ballot or account and voting no more than once per day in each category.
What should I do if I experience a technical issue while voting?
Contact SRQ Magazine and include your name, email address, the device or browser you are using and a brief description or screenshot of the issue.
Are official marketing materials available to promote voting?
Yes. Scroll to the bottom of this page and select the Best of SRQ Local Toolkit link to download official creative assets.
Participating businesses may use these materials on social media, websites, email campaigns and other promotional platforms.
May I create my own voting graphics?
Yes. Businesses are welcome to create their own promotional materials, provided the graphics accurately represent the competition and do not imply that the business has already won.
Official Best of SRQ Local logos and branding should not be altered in a way that could confuse voters or misrepresent a nominee’s status.
Can I say that my business is a Best of SRQ finalist or winner?
During the voting period, businesses may promote themselves as a nominee or ballot participant. F
inalist or winner language should only be used after SRQ Magazine has officially announced and confirmed the results.
Can businesses offer incentives in exchange for votes?
Businesses may encourage customers, employees and community members to participate. However, votes should be submitted voluntarily and honestly.
Promotions should not require someone to vote for a specific nominee in exchange for compensation, prizes, discounts or other benefits.
Where can I find my business on the ballot?
Use the ballot’s search feature or browse the category that best corresponds with your business, organization or area of service.
A nominee may be listed in more than one category when applicable.
What should I do if my business name, address or information is incorrect?
To request an update to your business name, address or other listing information, contact Robinson Valverde at SRQ Magazine at robinson.valverde@srqme.com.
Please include the business name as it currently appears, the category in which it is listed and the corrected information.
Can I request a category change?
Category changes may be considered when a nominee has been placed in an incorrect category.
Contact Robinson Valverde at robinson.valverde@srqme.com with the business name, current category and requested category.
Requests are subject to review and may not be possible after voting has begun.
What should I do if my business is missing from the ballot?
Contact Robinson Valverde at robinson.valverde@srqme.com with the business name, location and the category in which you believe it should appear.
Additions may be subject to eligibility requirements, nomination results and competition deadlines.
Can a business be added after voting begins?
Ballot additions are not guaranteed once the voting period has started.
Requests will be reviewed based on nomination eligibility, category requirements and the stage of the competition.
Who is eligible to participate?
Best of SRQ Local celebrates businesses, organizations, individuals and experiences serving the greater Sarasota and Bradenton region.
Eligibility may depend on the nominee’s location, service area, category and connection to the local community.
How are winners determined?
Winners are determined through eligible votes submitted during the official voting period.
All results are subject to review and verification by SRQ Magazine before being finalized or announced.
When will winners be announced?
Official results will be shared by SRQ Magazine following the completion of voting and the verification process.
Watch SRQ Magazine’s website, email newsletters and social media channels for announcements and publication details.
Will businesses be contacted if they win?
SRQ Magazine may contact recognized businesses and individuals using the information available in the nominee listing or SRQ Media records.
Businesses should ensure their contact information is accurate and continue monitoring official Best of SRQ Local communications.
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Celebrate the sprit of our hometown with SRQ Magazine. Published 10x a year, SRQ Magazine captures the people, tastes, culture, boutiques and philanthropic hearts of Sarasota, Bradenton Area and the Barrier Islands on the West Coast of Florida. We invite you to experience living and loving local - in print and online. Welcome to the SRQ family!
SUBSCRIBESRQ Media transforms what it means to live and love local through its portfolio of hyper-local print and online publications including its flagship city regional SRQ Magazine, its documentary, and video production division Moving Stories and non-profit development division Story Project. The SRQ Media team leverages its strong audience footprint to catalyze visionary community programs such as SB2: Regional Symposia Series, Women in Business, SMARTgirl, SkillSHARE and ProjecThinkby engaging individuals to positively impact their hometown of Sarasota and the Bradenton Area situated on the vibrant West Coast of Florida.
SRQ Media supports regional charitable, cultural and education organizations and not-profits throughout the year with custom programs and sponsorships.
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