More than 600K votes counted to crown this year’s Best of Southern Utah; winners revealed in new magazine

Composite image by St. George News

ST. GEORGE — As impressive as Southern Utah’s natural beauty is, the value of the area truly lies in its people and the small businesses striving each day to support an atmosphere of community. But only an elite few have earned the right to call themselves the best.

Best of Southern Utah 2022 magazine and winner’s prize package, St. George, Utah, June 6, 2022 | Photo by James Kreitzer, St. George News

Presented by Canyon Media, St. George News and title sponsor Dixie Power, the fourth annual Best of Southern Utah contest highlights the very finest in business that the area has to offer, from burgers and pizza to mechanics and realtors. It’s an opportunity for owners, employees, customers and fans throughout the community to let their voices be heard. And Southern Utahns spoke up in a big way, with a record-breaking 970 nominations received and over 600,000 votes cast.

“It’s blown me away the way the community has embraced this contest,” said Ben Lindquist, general manager of Canyon Media. “I love driving around town and seeing a business celebrating their win on a sign or a billboard.”

Gold and silver award winners have been crowned in 10 consolidated categories: Activities and Entertainment, Business and Services, Food and Beverage, General Services, Home and Garden, Lifestyle and Beauty, Medical, Schools, Shopping, and Vehicles and Services. Starting today, winners will be displayed at BestofSouthernUtah.com and on the glossy pages of the 2022 Best of Southern Utah magazine.

Along with showcasing the winners, the magazine is designed to serve as a free guidebook for both locals and visitors seeking the very best that Southern Utah has to offer. In the coming weeks, 20,000 copies will be distributed throughout the St. George area.

Canyon Media managed the development and publication of the magazine again this year. Lindquist said he’s thrilled with the final product of what he believes is the community’s finest publication.

“It’s amazing how the magazine has a shelf life of so many months,” he added. “We’re still seeing the 2020 issue circulating and being utilized as a reference, and I think that really speaks to its value and quality.”

The magazine is now available at the following establishments:

  • Canyon Media, 3143 S. 840 East, Suite 100, St. George.
  • Red Cliffs Mall, 1770 E. Red Cliffs Drive, St. George.
  • Lin’s Market, 1930 W. Sunset Blvd., St. George.
  • Summit Athletic Club, 1532 E. 1450 S., St. George.
  • Terrible’s, 934 N. Commerce Blvd., Washington City.
  • Terrible’s, 4655 S. Pioneer Road, St. George.
  • Riverfront Medical Center, 617 E. Riverside Drive, St. George.
  • St. George Regional Airport, 4550 S. Airport Parkway, St. George.
  • St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, 136 N. 100 East, St. George.
  • Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office, 20 N. Main St., Suite 105, St. George.

View and download a map of the distribution locations here.

For the first time, Canyon Media is hosting an exclusive winner’s gala this evening. The winning businesses will be presented with a prize package featuring a gold or silver medal along with a window cling and a certificate celebrating their accomplishment.

“A lot of businesses claim to be the best in their line of work,” said Brent Rowe, director of sales for St. George News. “However, knowing that a business has been voted the best by the public gives you confidence that you’re choosing a great business to help you with whatever you’re in need of.”

Best of Southern Utah 2022 magazine and winner’s prize package, St. George, Utah, June 6, 2022 | Photo by James Kreitzer, St. George News

Best of Southern Utah has developed into a signature event within the local business community and continues to grow in popularity. The inaugural contest in 2019 drew just over 270,000 votes.

“It’s great to see such an amazing response to this competition,” Rowe said. “It’s just fun for everyone!”

Small businesses are an invaluable thread in the fabric of Southern Utah that rely on the community’s support. Although the contest is a fun way for locals to help promote their favorite spots, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the ingenuity and resolve of business owners as they continue improvising, repurposing and overcoming obstacles to better serve their customers.

“Everyone in our community is successful when small businesses thrive,” Lindquist said. “We’re all connected in one way or another to a small business, whether it’s people we know that work for them or people that own them.”

Resources

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!