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What is Best of C-VILLE?
Best of C-VILLE is our annual readers’ choice awards celebrating excellence across the Charlottesville community. For over two decades, we’ve invited readers to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses, services, and places in dozens of categories. The contest serves as both a resource for residents discovering local gems and a way to recognize the establishments that make our community special.
How does the contest work?
The contest runs in two phases. During the nomination period, community members can nominate their favorite businesses across various categories. Once nominations close, our team reviews the submissions and advances the five businesses with the most nominations to the final voting round. During the final voting round, you can cast your vote for your favorites among the finalists. Winners are announced after voting closes, with businesses earning recognition as Winners, Runners-up, or Honorable Mentions based on vote totals.
Who can vote?
Anyone can participate! The contest is open to all community members, though you’ll need to register for a free account to cast your votes. We verify email addresses to ensure voting integrity, and our system is designed to prevent multiple voting from the same person. Our goal is to get authentic feedback from real locals who know and love our community.
How do I become a sponsor?
Businesses can enhance their visibility through several sponsorship opportunities at different levels. Sponsorships are available for the entire contest or specific categories and phases. To learn more about current sponsorship opportunities, rates, and benefits, please contact our sales team at advertising@c-ville.com or visit our sponsorship page.
Can businesses buy their way into the contest?
Absolutely not. Nominations and votes are entirely determined by our readers. While businesses can purchase sponsorships to increase their visibility during the contest, sponsorship has no impact on nomination eligibility or vote tallying. Our editorial team maintains strict separation between contest results and advertising to ensure the integrity of the awards.
How do I register?
Registering is quick and easy. Click the “Register” button in the top navigation, enter your email address and create a password. You’ll receive a verification email to confirm your account. You can also register using your Google account for a streamlined process. Once verified, you’re ready to nominate and vote for your favorite local businesses.
How do I reset my password?
If you’ve forgotten your password, click the “Login” button and then select “Forgot Password?” Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a secure link to reset your password. This link expires after 24 hours for security purposes. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.
How do I vote?
Once logged in during the voting period, you can browse categories and cast your votes for finalists. Simply navigate to a category of interest, review the finalists, and click the “Vote” button next to your favorite. You may vote in as many or as few categories as you wish, but you can only vote for one business per category. All votes must be submitted before the voting deadline to be counted.