It’s time to decide North Idaho’s best businesses in 2018.

For the 12th consecutive year, North Idaho Business Journal is sponsoring the Best of North Idaho competition, a people’s choice contest in which citizens vote for their favorite restaurants, real estate agents, physical therapists, coffee joints, hair stylists and more.

“This is an annual and well-earned popularity contest that’s part fun but also part hard-core business,” said Larry Riley, publisher of The Press and North Idaho Business Journal. “If you don’t believe that second part, look at all the marquees, logos, print ads and signs proudly indicating Best of North Idaho past winners. When you win it’s a very big deal.”

This year’s contest will be different from previous iterations, said Kari Packer, North Idaho Business Journal sales manager. She said the competition will take place in two phases, much like a primary election and a general election.

The first phase is nominating businesses. That begins Monday, when anyone can go to cdapress.com/bestof and nominate businesses in any of 169 categories.

The nomination process will be open three weeks, from Jan. 15 to Feb. 5. According to Packer and Renee Fast, digital sales manager, North Idaho Business Journal staff will then take one week to “vet” the nominees. By that, Packer said, staff will ensure that businesses provide the services they’re being nominated for, and that the contest accurately reflects what consumers think.

Once the vetting is completed, the five leading nominees in each category advance to the next phase. That’s when the real voting begins: Feb. 11-15.

Unlike previous years, upgraded software will prevent people from voting more than once in any category, said Bill Izzard, North Idaho Business Journal’s production manager.

“We think this is the best way to keep it fair,” said Packer. “It’s a lot more like the country’s democratic process.”

Fast said several new categories have been added, including best new business, best entrepreneur and best nonprofit. She said all winners will be notified the last week of February, and the public announcement will be made March 30. First place and runner-up will be awarded in each category.

Packer encouraged residents to visit the website and begin nominating excellent local businesses starting Monday.

“This is an opportunity for businesses that have been here and provided excellent products and services to really shine, and it’s a way to help consumers decide who they’re going to patronize,” Packer said. “What I love about Best of North Idaho is that it supports our community and our community of businesses at the same time.”

BEST OF NORTH IDAHO

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

1. Go to cdapress.com/bestof anytime between Jan. 15 and Feb. 5.

2. Nominate your favorite business in as many of the 169 categories as you wish.

3. Go back to cdapress.com/bestof anytime between Feb. 11 and Feb. 15.

4. Vote for your favorite business in as many categories as you wish, but only one vote per person, per category will be allowed.

5. Sit back and relax. The winners and runners-up will be announced March 30.