Best of KC 2020
Nominations Open: Thursday, April 2 to Thursday, April 23
Finalist Voting: Thursday, May 14 to Thursday, June 18
Winners Announced: Winners will be featured in the August issue of Kansas City magazine and posted to our website on Tuesday, July 28.
What is Best of KC?
At Kansas City magazine, we love Kansas City like family. We know what makes it great, we know how it struggles and we know its secrets. Best of KC is a chance for our readers to recognize their personal favorites. The voting process takes three months and involves thousands of participants.
Our poll includes 200-plus categories organized by topic:
Food and Drink Health
Beauty & Wellness
Shopping & Services
Politics, News and Media Culture
City Life
For a full list of all categories, click here.
How does Best of KC work?
There are two phases to Best of KC voting. In the first phase, running from April 2 to April 23, readers have a chance to nominate their favorites in each category. Once nominations are closed, we take a few weeks to tally the submissions, and narrow the field to no more than five finalists in each category. On May 14, we open finalist voting and readers have until June 18 to decide what it worth of being called the Best in KC. We publish the final results in our August issue and online on July 28.
What do I get if I win?
Winning Best of KC not only gives you bragging rights and a chance to engage with customers and supporters, but the opportunity to advertise your excellence across Kansas City. We’ll help you celebrate victory with a window sticker which we hope you’ll display with pride and advertise your victory in print and online.
This is great. So how do I get voted Best of KC?
Unless you’re Patrick Mahomes, you’ll probably want to campaign. Many winners deploy their email lists and post on social. We’ve made that easy this year by using new software that allows you to refer supporters directly to your category. In order to win, you’ll need to get supporters to write you in during the nomination phase and then vote for you among the finalists. Some businesses find that engaging customers in Best of KC voting pays dividends whether or not they win by using this as an opportunity to rally your most loyal supporters and involve them in a dedicated awareness campaign.
We have Best of KC logos that you can use in emails, on your web site, on social or in print. Download them here.
We have plenty of advertising opportunities to better drive votes for yourself and get people to associate you as the very best in Kansas City.
Contact your advertising representative or email editor@kansascitymag.com for more information.
Here is a complete list of categories for Kansas City magazine’s 2020 Best of KC Readers Choice poll.
For information on how the poll works, go here.
For digital assets you can use to campaign, go here.
For information on advertising opportunities for the nomination phase of Best of KC 2020, go here.
Nominations Open: Thursday, April 2 to Thursday, April 23
Finalist Voting: Thursday, May 14 to Thursday, June 18
Food & Drink
Best Restaurant
Best New Restaurant
Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying
Best Sandwich Shop
Best Brunch Spot
Best Mexican Restaurant
Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant/Bar
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant
Best Gluten-Free Restaurant
Best Pub Food
Best Steakhouse
Best Barbecue
Best Ribs
Best Burnt Ends
Best Barbecue Sauce
Best BBQ Sandwich
Best Date Bar
Best Smoothie/Juice Bar
Best Downtown KCMO Bar
Best Johnson County Bar
Best Plaza/South KC Bar
Best KCK/Wyandotte County Bar
Best Westport/Midtown Bar
Best Missouri Suburbs Bar
Best Coffee Shop
Best Cinnamon Rolls
Best Gelato
Best Brewery
Best IPA
Best Winery
Best Distillery
Best Burger
Best Pizza
Best French Fries
Best Burrito
Best Sushi
Best Wings
Best Bagel
Best Korean
Best Tacos
Best Donut
Best Ice Cream
Best Greek
Best Gyro
Best Pho
Best Ramen
Best Indian
Best Italian
Best Thai
Best Bloody Mary
Best Margarita
Best Cocktail
Best Chef
Best Patio
Best Liquor Store (Kansas)
Best Liquor Store (Missouri)
Best Food Truck
Best Happy Hour
Best New Bar
Best Dive Bar
Best Sports Bar
Best LGBTQ Bar
Best Comedy Club
Best Bartender
Best Bar Staff
Best Sommelier
Best Chocolatier
Best Hot Dogs
Health, Beauty & Wellness
Best Float Tank
Best Soaking Pool
Best Dentist
Best Cosmetic Dentist
Best Chiropractor
Best Acupuncturist
Best Naturopath
Best Gym
Best Pilates Studio
Best Yoga Studio
Best Crossfit
Best Cycling Studio
Best Spa
Best CBD Store
Best Body Piercer
Best Tattoo Parlor
Best Hair Salon
Best Nail Salon
Best Tanning Salon
Best Hair Removal Salon
Best Barbershop
Best Eyebrow Pro
Best Botox Injector
Best Orthodontist
Shopping & Services
Best Hotel
Best Record Store
Best Toy Store
Best Craft Studio
Best Women’s Boutique
Best Men’s Boutique
Best Shoe Store
Best Jewelry Store
Best Eyeglass Shop
Best Doggie Day Care
Best Pet Store
Best Veterinary Practice
Best Clothing Resale Store
Best Antique/Vintage Store
Best Home Goods Store
Best Kitchen Store
Best Hardware Store
Best Garden Supply/Nursery
Best Flower Shop
Best Grocery Store
Best Wine Shop
Best Bottle Shop
Best Car Dealership (New)
Best Car Dealership (Used)
Best Auto Repair
Best Car Wash
Best Real Estate Agent
Best Real Estate Team
Best Interior Designer (Residential)
Best Interior Designer (Commercial)
Best Farmers Market
Best Butcher Shop
Best DUI Attorney
Best Personal Injury Attorney
Best Family Law Attorney
Best Financial Institution
Best Financial Planner
Best Heating & Air Company
Best Home Builder
Best Home Security Company
Best Insurance Agency
Best Landscaper
Best Law Firm/Lawyer
Best Limo/Party Bus Company
Best Mortgage Company
Best Moving Company
Best Personal Trainer
Best Rock Gym
Best Pest Control
Best Pet Groomer
Best Plumber/Company
Best Pool Company
Best Property Management Company
Best Realty Company
Best Roofing Company
Best Shoe Repair Store
Best Wedding Venue
Best Electrician/Company
Best Bike Shop
Best Bed & Breakfast
Best Bookstore
Best Lawn Maintenance Company
Best Senior Living Facility
Politics, News & Media
Best Radio Station
Best Radio Personality
Best Local Radio Show
Best Local Politician
Best Local TV Sports Anchor
Best Local TV Anchor
Best Local Meteorologist
Best Local Blog
Best Local Podcast
Best Community Activist
Best Local Band
Best Local Politician
Best Instagram Influencer
Best Local Twitter Feed
Best Philanthropist
Best Local Mascot
Best Local Pet
Best Morning Talk Show
Best Local Podcast Host
Best Local TV Personality
Best Local TV News Station
Culture, Sports & Entertainment
Best Casino
Best Music Venue
Best Local College Athlete
Best Athlete
Best Local Coach
Best Outdoor Music Venue
Best Music Festival
Best Arts Festival
Best Arcade
Best Local Sports Store/Outfitter
Best Karaoke
Best Trivia Night
Best Local Clothing Store
Best Running Event
Best Swimming Pool
Best Museum
Best Fountain
Best Library
Best Weekend Getaway Spot
Best Golf Course
Best Halloween Attraction
Best Christmas Attraction
Best Picnic Spot
Best Splash Pad
Best Local Charity/Foundation
Best Fundraiser Gala
Best Art Gallery
Best Art Instruction
Best Club DJ
Best Cultural Event
Best Drag Show
Best Exhibit of 2019
Best Female Vocalist
Best House/Cover Band
Best Jazz & Blues Club
Best Jazz Act
Best Karaoke Night
Best Local Actor (Movies & TV)
Best Local Actress (Movies & TV)
Best Local Actor (Live Theater)
Best Local Actress (Live Theater)
Best Local Author
Best Local Band
Best Local Comic
Best Dance Party
Best Local Hip Hop Artist
Best Local Podcast
Best Local Theater Company
Best Local Visual Artist
Best Country Music Venue
Best Male Vocalist
Best Movie Theater
Best Music Concert of 2019
Best Musician
Best Place to See Local Hip-Hop
Best Place to See Local Music
Best Recording Studio
Best Rock Music Club
Best Live Theater Venue
Best Live Theater Production
Best Bachelorette Party Venue
Best Bachelor Party Venue
City Life
Best Sports Stadium/Arena
Best Fountain
Best KCMO Neighborhood
Best Johnson County City, Village or Town
Best Missouri Suburb
Best Local Landmark
Best Tour Company
Best Annual Outdoor Event
Best Apartment Complex
Best Attraction
Best Building
Best Daycare
Best Farmers Market
Best Festival
Best Fundraising Event
Best Green Business
Best Neighborhood
Best Place of Worship
Best Dog Park
Best Country Club
Best Place to Work
Best Pop-up Market
Best Preschool
Best Private School
Best Public School
Best Public Space
Best Child Day Care
Best Animal Nonprofit
Best Civil & Human Rights Nonprofit
Best Education Nonprofit
Best Health Nonprofit
Best Disabilities Nonprofit
Unless you’re Patrick Mahomes, if you want to win the annual Best of KC Readers Poll, you’re probably going to need to campaign a little by letting your supporters, customers, friends and family that you’re in the running.
Below you’ll find a variety of downloadable digital assets that you can use on your social media, in newsletters, on posters, or in any other way you see fit. (Just save them to your desktop, them post away.)
You can also download the package as a .ZIP file here.
For information about how to advertise on the Best of KC nomination ballot, click here.
For general information about the Best of KC Readers Poll click here.
For a complete list of BOKC categories go here.
Kansas City magazine will launch its annual Best of KC issue with the opening of the nomination phase on Thursday, April 2, 2020.
Here’s how to advertise in the nomination phase.
For a complete list of categories you might want to advertise in, click above.
For more information about how the Best of KC Readers Poll works go to the about page.
Campaign!
The most effective way to campaign is free—engage your supporters! Get your friends, family and loyal customers to nominate you. Send newsletters, post on social media, hang posters in your storefront and offer special discounts to customers who help your campaign. We have assets to help you activate your supporters: download them here.
However, some businesses also choose to advertise on the ballot as a way of helping their campaign.
Advertise on the nomination ballot
Category Ad, $250 or three for $500
Ad unit that appears next to your selected category during nominations. On desktop, this ad appears to the right of the of nomination. On mobile, this appears on the top of the nomination form.
• 300×600 desktop
• 300×250 mobile
• Link to your website
• Up to three per category, not exclusive
Interstitial Ads: $1,000
Ads appear periodically as voters scroll through a group of categories. The ad takes up nearly the full screen.
• 970×250 desktop
• 300×600 mobile
• Link to website, or directly to your listing to encourage nominating.
• Two available per group, rotating with 50% share of voice for each.
Group Landing Ad: $700
Your ad featured prominently in the relevant group (Food & Drink, City Life). This ad appears as a static footer and maintains a fixed position while voters scroll through the categories. This ad is present on every category within the group.
• 728×90 desktop
• 320×50 mobile
• Link to your website, or directly to your listing to encourage voting
• Two available per group, rotating with 50% share of voice for each
BEST VALUE
Group Ad Package: $1,500 ( $1,950 value) SAVE $450
• Group Landing Page Ad
• Group Interstitial
• One Category Ad
• Add two more Category Ads $300
• Limited to two per group
