Estevan Mercury Publications is encouraging the public to vote for their favourite businesses in the community through the Reader’s Choice Best of Estevan contest.
The contest gives people the chance to vote for businesses that they believe are doing a great job. More than 200 categories have been created.
Ballots will appear in the Feb. 7, 14 and 21 editions of the Estevan Mercury, and the Feb. 9, 16 and 23 editions of Southeast Lifestyles.
Deanna Tarnes, who is the sales manager for Estevan Mercury Publications, said there are so many great businesses in Estevan, but sometimes they can be overlooked.
“It’s a way to jog people’s memories about all of the great businesses that are in town,” she said.
People have their favourite businesses, and Best of Estevan is a good way to celebrate those businesses.
There are so many different categories in the contest because Estevan Mercury Publications wants to make sure there is a category for each business.
“We want to show the diverse number of businesses that Estevan has, and promote that you can do anything you need to do locally,” said Tarnes.
A business could win in more than one category.
Tarnes noted there are a lot of businesses that have opened in the community since the promotion was last held in 2011 who will now have a chance to been recognized.
Each business that wins will receive a framed certificate to hang proudly inside. Many of the businesses that won when the promotion was previously offered seven years ago still have the certificate.
A special publication, highlighting the different winners, will be released near the end of March.
A couple changes have been for this year’s promotion.
The first is an online component, as people can go to the Estevan Mercury Publications website, www.estevanmercury.ca, and vote for their favourite business in each category. The ballot is separated into three components on the website.
The other difference is the introduction of a best overall business award, in which people can vote for their favourite business.
Also, as part of the promotion, Estevan Mercury Publications will give away four $25 gift certificates to Mr. Mike’s. To be eligible for the gift card giveaway, people must vote in at least 25 categories.
Then the ballot needs to be submitted through the Mercury’s website, or dropped off at the Mercury office.
The deadline to vote in the Best of Estevan Reader’s Choice competition is Feb. 28.
Tarnes said the promotion was very well received when it was last offered in 2011, and she believes now is a great time to offer it again.
