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2026WinnersAndFavs
 

Tucson’s Most Trusted
Local Business Awards

Over 200 categories. Thousands of local votes.
One chance to become Tucson’s Readers’ Choice Winner.

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How it Works

Home Page

We're a HubSpot Agency

The headline and subheader tells us what you're offering and the form header closes the deal. Over here you can explain why your offer is so great.

2024 Winners + Favorites

Search the list below or CLICK HERE to view 2024 Winners and Favorites

Step 1:
Nominate Your Business

Enter your business into the Readers’ Choice Awards by selecting the categories that best represent your products, services, and expertise.

The top 10 businesses with the most nominations in a category move forward to the official voting round.

Step 2:
Promote/Collect Votes

Once voting begins, encourage customers, employees, and supporters to vote for your business daily.

Use promotional tools, social sharing, and campaign materials to maximize visibility and engagement. Utilize our Text-to-Vote tool for voting efficiency.

Step 3:
Become a Readers’ Choice Winner

Top-voted businesses earn official Readers’ Choice recognition, increased community credibility, and exclusive opportunities to promote their achievement across digital, print, and event platforms.

Pro Tip:

Increase visibility and drive more nominations by featuring your business in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Nomination Publication, reaching more than 30,000 Tucson readers. Space is limited and the publication releases June 14.

25,050
NOMINATIONS

303,230
VOTES

852
FINALISTS

Why Businesses Participate

INCREASE BRAND VISIBILITY
BUILD CUSTOMER TRUST
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
DRIVE ENGAGEMENT DURING VOTING
CELEBRATE YOUR TEAM'S HARD WORK

Do You Have a "Text to Vote" Code?

Cast your vote once per day by texting the code to 520.214.8683!

Do You Have a "Text to Vote" Code?

Cast your vote once per day by texting the code to 520.214.8683!

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2026 KEY DATES

Nomination Period
Opens June 14

The most comprehensive reader poll in Tucson with more than
200 categories across 10 industry groups!

Nominate a Business
  • Nomination Period: June 14 - 24
  • Voting Period: July 26 - Aug 9
  • RC Awards Celebration: Sept 11 | 5pm - 10pm | Casino Del Sol

Want VIP access to all the latest updates, insider info, and early announcements? Follow us on social!

Readers' Choice is a community driven program, and the Arizona Daily Star is dedicated to the overall integrity of the program.

My business is a Top 3 Finalist, Now What?

1.
ANNOUNCE IT!

Share your finalist badge on social, your website, and in-store. Let your customers celebrate with you!

  2.
ENHANCE YOUR BALLOT VISIBILITY  

Gain a competitive edge by upgrading your ballot to an Enhanced Ballot Listing, making it easier for your customers to find you.

3. 
MAKE IT EASY TO VOTE DAILY

Get a custom Text-To-Vote code that casts a vote instantly when texting 520.214.8683. Promote your code to maximize daily votes!

My business is a Top 3 Finalist, Now What?

1.
ANNOUNCE IT

Share your finalist logo on social, your website, and in-store. Let your family, friends, clients, and customers celebrate with you!

  2.
GET YOUR TICKETS

Join us at the Readers’ Choice Event on Sept. 5 at Casino Del Sol. Find out live if you’re the Winner or Favorite!

3. 
CELEBRATE TOGETHER

Bring your team for a night of food, drinks, music, and island vibes. The most anticipated B2B celebration in Tucson!

It’s not just an awards night—it’s the ultimate celebration of your community’s support
and your team's hard work.

Tools to Help Maximize Votes

Promote your participation with official Readers’ Choice marketing tools designed to increase visibility and customer engagement during voting.

Marketing Merchandise

Take your participation to the next level with our exclusive, expertly designed marketing materials. They’re built to help you stand out, captivate your audience, and inspire more votes for your business.

View Merch

Text-To-Vote/Enhanced Ballot Listing

Boost your campaign with our Text-to-Vote service and Enhanced Ballot Listings. These upgrades increase your visibility and make it easy for customers to vote for you.

I Want TTV/EBL
READERS' CHOICE CELEBRATION

A Night Dedicated to Tucson’s
Favorite Businesses

Every year, Tucson comes together to celebrate the businesses that have earned the community’s trust and support. Explore moments from last year’s Readers’ Choice event featuring award winners, local leaders, and an unforgettable night honoring the very best of Tucson.

 

2026 Awards Celebration
"Legends of the West"

September 11  |  5pm - 10pm  |  Casino Del Sol

Join us for the largest Business to Business Celebration in Southern Arizona!

Follow us on Instagram for announcements!

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10 Groups/200+ Categories

OUR SEARCH FOR THE BEST IN TUCSON

LOOKING BACK ON THE

2023 Readers' Choice Event

49k+ Nominations
260k+ Digital Votes
129k+ Text-to-Votes
22k+ Unique Participants 
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CELEBRATING THE BEST OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO OFFER

2025 Sponsors

Be a Part of Southern Arizona's Most Prestigious
"Best Of" Awards Program

Arizona Daily Star's Readers' Choice is a community driven program like no other:

Free to
Participate

Entering is free, and spending money with us doesn't impact the results.

Quality Over
Popularity

Small, medium, and large businesses all have the same shot at winning.

Your Voice,
Your Votes

Our community holds the power to nominate, review, and vote. No judges.

Fair Play
For All

We utilize a third-party software system to authenticate
and prevent fraudulent voting.

"It was a great celebration of businesses that have thrived despite all of today's economic challenges. These businesses are the best Tucson has to offer and we're grateful to our readers for selecting the winners."

David McCumber, Executive, Editor Arizona Daily Star

Winners + Favorites

Frequently Asked Questions

Does purchasing votes work?

The short answer...NO.

THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE
We use a third-party software system checking IP addresses, email addresses and timestamps to combat fraudulent voting.

NOMINATIONS/VOTES/DISQUALIFIED
If fraud is suspected, nominations and /or votes involved will be disqualified.

COMPANIES CANNOT GUARANTEE WINS
If a business is approached about buying a guaranteed win by a third-party, no matter how reassuring they are that it is legal, IT IS NOT. Those votes will be disqualified.

How are my Readers' Choice packages billed?

Billing occurs over a 4 month period per section.

Nominations, Voting, Results, Event

What if I buy a package and don't win?

The strategy of the package is not paying for votes. The package is a way to reach your audience when it's at its peak and most engage. You gain significant brand visibility.

How do I find out if I won?

Results will be made public the night of the event (TBD). A results section will be published the week after.

How does voting work?

Users can vote once every 24 hours; the clock does not erase at midnight.

Do ads guarantee nominations or votes?

Ads on the ballot do not guarantee you will be nominated or move on to the voting phase; however, the ballot is one of the best places to be seen. The ad positions/enhanced listings amplify your presence and reach potential.