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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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