WRAL Voters' Choice Awards return in September for ninth year
The ninth-annual WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards will be back this fall. You’ll have the opportunity to help WRAL celebrate the Triangle’s local businesses by nominating and voting for the best.
Each year, your nominations and votes help WRAL recognize local favorites. There is no cost for businesses to be nominated, voted on or win awards. Mark your calendars because the nomination period will begin Sept. 12!
With over 140 categories, this is your chance to help your favorite businesses, people and services in the area get the recognition they deserve. Starting Sept. 12, you can submit one nomination per category per day through October 8.
Most of the 2023 categories are ones you’ll recognize from 2022 with a couple reimagined. New categories include orthopedics and alternative therapy.
The top five nominees in each category will move on to the voting ballot as finalists. Voting runs Oct. 16 to Nov. 19, and you can vote once per category.
In 2022, nearly 17,000 nominations were made and nearly 100,000 votes were cast on WRAL.com/vcas. The winners were announced at a live event hosted by Chris Lovingood and Kat Campbell.
Some of the most popular categories and their 2022 winners include:
- Best local coffee: Cultivate Coffee Roasters
- Best small business: Sweet T Picnics
- Best BBQ: The Redneck BBQ Lab
- Best ice cream/frozen yogurt: Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery
- Best nonprofit organization: Safe Haven for Cats
See the complete list of 2022 winners.
The winners of the ninth-annual WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards will be announced in January 2024. Get involved in the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #WRALVCAs.
2023 WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards Categories
FIVE-STAR AWARDS
- Boss of the Year
- Business Leader of the Year
- Chef of the Year
- Coworking Space of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Local Corporation of the Year
- Local Startup of the Year
- New Restaurant of the Year (Opened in 2023)
- Small Business of the Year
- Woman of the Year
BUSINESS
- Animal Hospital
- Antiques & Thrift Shop
- Automotive Dealer
- Barbershop/Hair Salon
- Birthday Party Venue
- Children's Clothing Store
- Coworking Space
- Dance Studio
- Florist
- Gifts
- Gymnastics School
- Indoor Activity Center
- Jewelry
- Martial Arts Instruction
- Pet Boarding/Daycare
- Pet Supplies
- Pet Training Service
- Shopping Center
FOOD & DRINK
- Baked Goods
- BBQ
- Biscuits
- Bottle Shop
- Brewery
- Brunch
- Burgers
- Caterer
- Chef
- Cocktails
- Deli
- Distillery
- Donuts
- Family Dining
- Fine Dining
- Food Truck
- Fries
- Grocery Store
- Health Food
- Hot Dogs
- International
- Local Artisan Food
- Local Chocolate
- Local Coffee
- Local Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
- Local Produce
- Neighborhood Bar
- Nightclub
- Outdoor Dining
- Pizza
- Seafood
- Southern Food
- Sports Bar
- Steak
- Sushi
- Sweet Tea
- Tacos
- Takeout
- Wine Selection
- Wings
COMMUNITY
- Camp
- Charity Event
- Event Venue
- Family-Friendly Event
- Farm
- Festival
- Hotel/Vacation Rental
- Live Music Venue
- Local Sports Team
- Movie Theater
- Museum & Gallery
- Nonprofit Organization
- Park
- Performing Arts Venue
- Pet-Friendly Event
- Tourist Attraction
- Volunteer Organization
- Weekend Getaway
- Youth Sports League/Organization
EDUCATION
- Adult Education
- College/University
- Elementary School
- High School
- Middle School
- Preschool
- Private School
- School Administrator
- School Teacher
- Tutoring Center
HOME & FINANCE
- Accounting Firm
- Air & Heating Service
- Cleaning Service (Residential)
- Financial Advisor
- Flooring (new in 2023)
- Furniture
- Interior Design
- Landscaping
- Moving Company
- Nursery/Garden Center
- Pest Control
- Plumber
- Real Estate Agent
- Real Estate Team
MEDICAL
- Alternative Therapy (new in 2023)
- CBD Shop
- Chiropractor
- Cosmetic Surgeon
- Day Spa
- Dentistry/Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dermatologist
- Ear, Nose & Throat
- Family Practice
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Hospital
- Laser/Skin Care
- Massage
- Medical Spa
- Mental Health Service
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Optometrist
- Orthopedics (new in 2023)
- Orthodontist
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapist
- Urgent Care
PROFESSIONAL & ENTERTAINMENT
- Attorney/Law Firm
- DJ
- Event Planner
- Local Band
- Local Music Artist
- Photographer
- Podcast
- Pro Athlete
- Social Influencer
- Veterinarian
- WRAL-TV Personality
