What Is Best of the Gorge?

The Best of the Gorge presented by Bicoastal Media Columbia River is a vote based contest focusing on and highlighting the best businesses, companies, groups, locations, items and services in Columbia River Gorge area.

How Does Nomination Process Work?

Nominations are provided by the community and after the nomination period is completed the  names of nominated businesses, people and places in each of the categories will be finalized and make up our official Best of the Gorge voting ballot. At that point our audience is asked to vote on one choice in each category. Per our guidelines, voters are allowed to nominate without limits and once voting period has begun, one vote per category per 24 hour period allowed.

Nominees should be individuals and businesses that serve Columbia River Gorge area. Our community and business owners nominate their favorites by selecting one of seven topic areas (Arts & Entertainment, Eating & Drinking, Health & Fitness, Local, Services, Shopping and Sports & Recreation).

To nominate simply enter a name and city in text entry fields. Please provide additional information on the nominee so that we can verify them (Phone number, address, URL). If needed you may return any time before Wednesday, July 8th at 05:00 pm to add nominations.

In the event that a business has multiple locations, it will appear as a single nomination for the voting phase. Business associates and advertisers of Bicoastal Media Columbia River and any other owner affiliated company are not given special treatment or extra votes, including but not limited to our presenting sponsor, Bicoastal Media Columbia River.

Nominations are required in all categories within a given topic, but in order to submit the survey users must select the "submit" button on the ballot cart. Nominating a single business in more than one category is permitted provided they meet the requirements in that category or sub-category.

The nomination period begins Wednesday, June 17th at 12:00 pm and ends at Wednesday, July 8th at 05:00 pm.

Do I Have To Register?

To validate the nomination process, registration and basic information from the submitter is required.  You can submit nominees in any area and complete the survey any time before deadline.

Can I Vote IN person or through a paper ballot ?

No. All voting is done online through our website  and links to our voting platform.

Once I've been Nominated, what's next?

Businesses, organizations or individuals that are nominated by the community will be placed on our ballot if they are in the top ten nominees in a category.  There is no cost or obligation to participate in the Best of the Gorge program.

DOES EVERY BUSINESS NOMINATED MAKE THE BALLOT? 

For a category to qualify for the ballot, there must be a minimum of three (3) separate businesses that are competing in that category for votes. If a category does not qualify, we will make reasonable changes to move the nominee to a similar valid category. Once a category is qualified, we will ballot each individual business that has been successfully nominated.

ARE "WRITE-IN" NOMINATIONS ALLOWED DURING VOTING PERIOD?

Any and All nominations must be verified prior to being placed on the final ballot regardless of category. During the nomination process, we welcome all submissions.

Our ballot is a closed ballot, however; we will consider late entries into an established category by request. All late entries must be received by Wednesday, July 15th at 12:00 pm . All late entries must be emailed for consideration.

How Are Votes Tabulated?

A third party totals nominations and votes. Bicoastal Media Columbia River and its affiliates do not know the contest's results until after the votes are tabulated. In each category, the community votes on their favorite nominee. Voters are permitted to vote in each category once per day. Businesses, organizations, individuals, and schools are encouraged to promote the contest in order to gain nominations and/or votes. Non-Competitive contesting and advertising where voters are offered free items, discounts, special items, goods, or services in exchange for votes (quid pro quo) are NOT allowed and risk being disqualified from the ballot. Competitive advertising and campaigns ARE permitted; however, Bicoastal Media Columbia River, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to exclude from the competition any businesses or individuals that engage in activities intended to "rig" or "fix" the voting process. Votes that are suspected of voter tampering or fraud may be disqualified in the count.

Business associates and advertisers of Bicoastal Media Columbia River and any other owner affiliated company are not given special treatment, including but not limited to our presenting sponsor, Bicoastal Media Columbia River.

The regular voting period begins at Wednesday, July 15th at 12:00 pm and ends at Wednesday, July 29th at 05:00 pm.

When Will Winners Be Announced?

The names of the winners will be posted and announced on Wednesday, November 4th at 12:00 pm on the Best of the Gorge website. All winners will be honored in our Best of the Gorge special winners magazine.