People's Choice Awards FAQ
The People’s Choice Awards are all about recognizing the heart of our communities. Whether you're a business owner or a local fan, find everything you need to know about the program and how it works. Let’s work together to celebrate the best New Brunswick has to offer!
About the Awards
What are the People's Choice Awards?
Presented by Excellence NB, the People’s Choice Awards celebrate local excellence and spotlight the talent, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit found in communities across the province.
The awards are designed to recognize businesses, artists, organizations, services, accommodations, and experiences across a broad range of categories, giving businesses of all sizes and backgrounds a chance to be celebrated.
Why were these awards created?
The awards were created to recognize and uplift New Brunswick businesses and organizations, ensuring they receive the acknowledgment they deserve while encouraging people across the province to support local.
What kinds of businesses or organizations can take part?
The awards are open to New Brunswick-founded and operated businesses and artists.
Award Categories
What types of categories are included in the People's Choice Awards?
The awards are distributed across 95 specialized subcategories, grouped into the following six main types:
Accommodation - Best Glamping
A New Brunswick accommodation offering a glamping experience in domes, tents, or similar structures, with comforts such as a bed, private bathroom, and kitchen or cooking facilities.
Accommodation - Best Locally-owned Hotel / Inn / Bed & Breakfast
A locally owned and independently operated hotel, inn, or bed and breakfast in New Brunswick. Must not be part of a chain or franchise.
Accommodation - Best Boutique or Luxury Hotel
A New Brunswick hotel offering a high-end, personalized experience characterized by premium services, exceptional amenities, and distinctive design. National chain hotels are excluded unless the property is independently operated and unique to New Brunswick.
Accommodation - Best Unique Accommodation
A New Brunswick accommodation that offers a distinctive and memorable stay through its location, design, or concept, going beyond the standard hotel, B&B, or glamping experience.
Accommodation - Best Campsite/Campground
A campground in New Brunswick—whether privately operated or within a national or provincial park—accommodating tent and/or RV camping.
Accommodation - Best Cottages / Chalets / Guest House
A cottage, chalet, or guest house in New Brunswick available for short-term rental, whether as a standalone property or located on the grounds of another business.
Arts & Culture - Best English Band/Musician
A solo artist or band based in New Brunswick that primarily performs and releases original music in English. Judged on songwriting quality and live or recorded performance.
Arts & Culture - Best French Band/Musician
A solo artist or band based in New Brunswick that primarily performs and releases original music in French. Honoring Acadian or Francophone cultural contribution and musical excellence.
Arts & Culture - Best DJ
An individual or duo based in New Brunswick specializing in live mixing, beat-matching, and crowd engagement across genres such as electronic, house, hip-hop, or event hosting.
Arts & Culture - Best Indigenous Musician
An Indigenous solo artist or group based in New Brunswick whose music preserves, honors, or modernizes Indigenous culture and storytelling through any musical genre.
Arts & Culture - Best Production of the year
A specific singular work produced in New Brunswick—such as a locally made film or a locally produced theatrical run in the eligible year (2025)—judged on overall execution, direction, and technical achievement.
Arts & Culture - Best Gallery
A New Brunswick–based physical space dedicated to the exhibition and sale of visual art, supporting local artists and engaging the broader community.
Arts & Culture - Best Museum/Heritage Site
A New Brunswick location dedicated to the preservation and public presentation of history, culture, or science, providing educational and immersive experiences for visitors.
Arts & Culture - Best Theatre Company
An ongoing New Brunswick–based organization or collective dedicated to the performing arts, recognized for its season of productions, community engagement, and artistic vision.
Arts & Culture - Best Photographer
A photographer based in New Brunswick excelling in visual storytelling across disciplines such as fine art, portraiture, nature, or commercial photography.
Arts & Culture - Best Painter/Illustrator
A visual artist based in New Brunswick specializing in painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor) or illustration (digital or traditional). Judged on unique style, technical skill, and ability to evoke emotion or commentary through their work.
Arts & Culture - Best Physical Medium
An artist based in New Brunswick working primarily with tangible, three-dimensional materials—such as ceramics, sculpture, fabric, wood, metal, or glass—where physical craft is central to the work.
Arts & Culture - Best Live Music Venue
A physical venue in New Brunswick—such as a bar, theatre, or hall—that consistently hosts live music performances and is recognized for its atmosphere, acoustics, and support of local talent.
Arts & Culture - Best Indigenous Artisan
An Indigenous craftsperson based in New Brunswick specializing in traditional or contemporary handmade items such as beadwork, basketry, quillwork, or regalia..
Arts & Culture - Best Charity
A registered non-profit organization based in New Brunswick that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to social, environmental, or community causes.
Arts & Culture - Best Podcast
An audio series produced in New Brunswick, recognized for its storytelling, production quality, and consistency in engaging its audience.
Arts & Culture - Best Influencer/Content Creator
An individual based in New Brunswick who uses social media or digital platforms to provide value, education, or inspiration to an audience. Judged on community impact and authenticity rather than follower count alone.
Experiences - Best Hiking Trail
A publicly accessible hiking trail located in New Brunswick, ranging from coastal paths to forested routes in provincial parks, national parks, or private land.
Experiences - Best Beach
A publicly accessible beach in New Brunswick offering opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, or scenic coastal enjoyment.
Experiences - Best Park
A publicly accessible park in New Brunswick offering natural landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or fishing.
Experiences - Best Botanical Gardens
A curated public garden in New Brunswick showcasing diverse plant species, designed landscapes, and seasonal floral displays.
Experiences - Best Eco-Tourism Company
A New Brunswick–based company offering guided outdoor tours, adventures, or educational programs centered on environmental sustainability and conservation.
Experiences - Best Patio
A business in New Brunswick with an outdoor patio space offering food, beverages, and a welcoming atmosphere for outdoor dining and socializing.
Experiences - Best Night out with Friends
A venue in New Brunswick that hosts social entertainment events such as trivia nights, karaoke, or bowling, offering a fun and casual atmosphere for groups.
Experiences - Best Golf Course
A golf course located in New Brunswick, open to the public or as a member facility, offering a well-maintained layout and quality amenities.
Experiences - Best Outdoor Experience
A business or operator in New Brunswick offering a memorable guided or facilitated outdoor experience, such as kayaking, snowshoeing, ziplining, or wildlife viewing.
Experiences - Best Local Tour Provider
A New Brunswick–based tour operator offering guided experiences that showcase the province's culture, history, landscapes, or culinary scene.
Experiences - Best Festival
A scheduled public event or festival held in New Brunswick celebrating local culture, music, food, or community, open to the general public.
Experiences - Best Workshops / DIYs
A New Brunswick business or studio offering hands-on workshops or DIY classes in areas such as crafting, art, cooking, or other creative skills.
Experiences - Best Family Activity
A New Brunswick business, attraction, or venue offering family-friendly activities and experiences designed for guests of all ages.
Experiences - Best U-Pick / Orchard
A New Brunswick farm or orchard that invites the public to pick their own fresh fruit, vegetables, or flowers directly from the fields.
Retail - Best Florist
A flower shop that designs and sells fresh bouquets, floral arrangements, event florals, and plants to the public.
Retail - Best Plant Nursery
A garden centre or nursery that grows or sells indoor and outdoor plants, trees, shrubs, seeds, soil, and gardening supplies.
Retail - Best Gift Shop
A shop that sells a curated selection of gifts, cards, home accents, and artisan items.
Retail - Best Bath & Beauty Business
A business that formulates and sells skincare, bath, body, haircare, fragrance, or cosmetic products to the public.
Retail - Best Thrift/ Consignment /Vintage Store
A secondhand shop that sells thrifted, consigned, or vintage clothing, accessories, furniture, or home goods.
Retail - Best Farmers Market
A regularly scheduled market featuring local vendors of produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods.
Retail - Best Independent Grocery Store
A grocery store or specialty food market that sells fresh groceries, pantry staples, and food products to the public.
Retail - Best Butcher/Fish Monger
A butcher shop, fish market, or specialty retailer that sells fresh meat or seafood to the public.
Retail - Best Jewelry Maker
An artisan business that designs and handcrafts jewelry using metals, gemstones, beads, or other materials.
Retail - Best Boutique
A fashion boutique that sells apparel, clothing accessories, and related fashion items.
Retail - Best Bike Shop
A bicycle shop that sells bikes, cycling accessories, and related gear, and provides repair and maintenance services.
Retail - Best Local Arts & Crafts Stores
A shop that sells art, craft, and DIY supplies, including paints, canvases, yarn, fabric, paper, beads, and sewing materials.
Retail - Best Local Bookstores
A bookshop that sells new or used books, magazines, and related gift items.
Retail - Best Local Furniture & Home Décor Stores
A furniture or home décor store that sells furniture, mattresses, lighting, rugs, and decorative accents.
Retail - Best Local Natural Foods & Herbal Stores
A health food store that sells natural or organic groceries, bulk foods, supplements, vitamins, and herbal products.
Retail - Best Local Pet Supply & Pet Food
A retail business that makes or sells pet food, treats, and specialty pet care supplies.
Services - Best Spa/ Beauty Service
A day spa, medi-spa, Nordic/thermal spa, or beauty studio offering services such as facials, body treatments, massage, nail care, sauna/thermal circuits, lash and brow services, waxing, makeup, or non-surgical aesthetic treatments.
Services - Best Local Gym/Crossfit
A locally operated gym or CrossFit box offering strength and conditioning, functional training, group classes, cardio and weight facilities, and personal training.
Services - Best Local boutique fitness Studio
A specialized fitness studio offering programming such as yoga, pilates, barre, dance, spin/cycle, HIIT, boxing, MMA, climbing, aerial, or rowing..
Services - Best Tattoo Shop
A licensed tattoo studio offering custom and flash tattoo services. May also offer piercing.
Services - Best Pet Grooming Service
A professional pet grooming service offering baths, haircuts, brushing, drying, nail trims, ear cleaning, and de-shedding treatments.
Services - Best Pet Boarding/Daycare service
A dog daycare or pet resort offering supervised play, socialization, and daytime or overnight boarding care.
Services - Best Cleaning Service
A cleaning company providing residential and/or commercial cleaning services, including recurring, deep-clean, move-in/move-out, window, carpet, and upholstery cleaning..
Services - Best Health and Wellness Clinic/Centre
An interdisciplinary health and wellness clinic offering services such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, osteopathy, or acupuncture, focused on assessment, rehabilitation, pain relief, and injury prevention.
Services - Best Barber/Hairdresser
A barbershop or hair salon offering cuts, coloring, styling, beard trims, hot towel shaves, and hair treatments.
Services - Best Gardening/Landscaping Service
A landscaping or lawn care business offering services such as garden design and installation, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, sod installation, garden bed maintenance, and light hardscaping.
Services - Best Automobile Services
An automotive service provider offering repairs, maintenance, diagnostics, detailing, tires, oil changes, and other vehicle care.
Services - Best Accounting/Tax Service
An accounting or tax firm providing services such as bookkeeping, payroll, tax filing, and financial reporting for individuals and businesses..
Services - Best Catering Service
A catering company providing food and beverage service for events, weddings, corporate functions, and private gatherings. May include delivery, setup, and on-site service.
Services - Best Event & Wedding Services
A business operating in the events or wedding industry, such as a planner, coordinator, venue, decorator, or equipment rental provider.
Services - Best Home Improvement
A home improvement contractor or trade business offering services such as plumbing, electrical, roofing, HVAC, flooring, painting, renovations, or general handyman work.
Services - Best Interior Decor & Styling Service
An interior decorating or styling business offering expert design services for residential and commercial spaces, focusing on aesthetic enhancement, space planning, and curated decor selection.
Services - Best Moving Company
A moving company providing residential and/or commercial relocation services, including packing, transportation, delivery, and storage.
Food & Drink - Best Bakery
A bakery that produces and sells fresh breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, and similar baked goods to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Brunch
A restaurant or café service offering a dedicated late-morning/early-afternoon menu that blends breakfast and lunch dishes with coffee and brunch-style beverages.
Food & Drink - Best Burger
A restaurant, pub, diner, or food truck that makes and serves burgers as a core menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Cafe
A café that prepares espresso and brewed coffee to order and serves coffee drinks (and light fare) to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Chocolatier
A business that makes and sells its own chocolates—bonbons, truffles, and bars—under its brand.
Food & Drink - Best Beer/Brewery
A brewery that produces beer under its own brand and serves or sells it to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Cider/Cidery
A producer that makes its own craft cider (apple- or fruit-based) under its brand and serves or sells it to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Wine/Winery/Mead/Meadery
A winery that produces its own grape, fruit, or honey wine under its brand and serves or sells it to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Distillery
A distillery that produces its own spirits under its brand and serves or sells them to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Fried Clams
A restaurant or vendor that prepares and serves fried clams as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Food Truck
A mobile vendor that prepares and serves made-to-order food to the public from a licensed food truck.
Food & Drink - Best Ice Cream Shop
A shop or producer that makes and serves ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or soft-serve to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Lobster Roll
A restaurant or vendor that prepares and serves lobster rolls as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Poutine
A restaurant or vendor that prepares and serves poutine as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Maple Syrup
A producer that boils its own maple syrup and sells it (and related products) to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Vegetarian/Vegan Dish
A restaurant or vendor that prepares and serves a standout vegetarian or vegan dish as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Bar
A bar or lounge that offers alcoholic beverages. This can include bars, pubs, cocktail bars and wine bars.
Food & Drink - Best Sauce or Condiment
A producer that makes and sells its own sauces or condiments under its brand. BBQ sauces, hot sauces, mustards, dressings.
Food & Drink - Best Pizza
A pizzeria or restaurant that makes and serves pizza as a core menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Donair
A restaurant or vendor that prepares and serves donairs as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best BBQ/Grill/Steakhouse
A restaurant primarily known for serving barbecue, grilled dishes, or steak-based meals. Eligible businesses may specialize in smoked meats, flame-grilled entrees, steaks, ribs, burgers, or similar offerings.
Food & Drink - Best Fish and Chips
A restaurant or food truck that makes and serves fish and chips.
Food & Drink - Best Mexican/Latin Cuisine
A restaurant, food vendor or food truck whose menu primarily features Mexican or Latin cuisine.
Food & Drink - Best Indian Cuisine
A restaurant or food truck whose menu primarily features Indian cuisine.
Food & Drink - Best Asian Cuisine
A restaurant or food truck whose menu primarily features Asian cuisine.
Food & Drink - Best Pasta
A restaurant that focuses on, specializes in, or serves pasta dishes.
How the Process Works
How does the award process work?
The process has four main stages:
1. Register
To participate in the People’s Choice Awards, businesses must first complete the registration process. New Brunswick-founded and operated businesses can register themselves, and members of the public are invited to submit a favourite local business, artist, or organization for consideration.
2. Nominate
When the nomination period opens, the public can nominate their top choices from the official list of registered businesses. The top five in each category move on to the voting stage.
3. Vote
The top five finalists in each category compete for Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Voting is open to the public, and individuals can vote once per day per category to support their favourites.
4. Winners
Winners will be contacted by Excellence NB and announced on the Excellence NB website and social media channels. In order to facilitate communication, businesses must ensure Excellence NB is provided with up-to-date and accurate contact information.
Do businesses need to register before they can be nominated?
Yes. Businesses must first complete the registration process to participate. During the nomination stage, nominations are made from the official list of registered businesses.
How are finalists chosen?
The top five nominees in each category advance to the voting stage as finalists.
In the event of a tie, a draw will be made between the tied businesses using a third-party program.
How are winners chosen?
Once the finalists are determined, the public voting period decides the final rankings. The top finalists in each category will receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze.
What happens if there is a tie?
In the event of a tie, Excellence NB will conduct a vote audit and validation review. If the tie persists, the tied businesses will be entered into a draw using a third-party program.
How often can someone vote?
Voting is open to the public, and individuals may vote once per day per category.
Where will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced on the Excellence NB website and through Excellence NB social media channels.
Registration Questions
Who can register?
New Brunswick-founded and operated businesses and artists can register to participate in the awards.
Can someone recommend a business, artist, or organization that has not registered yet?
Yes. Members of the public are invited to submit a favourite local business, artist, or organization for consideration during the registration stage.
Is there a deadline to register?
Registrations remain open until Apr 26, 2026. Businesses that miss the registration deadline but wish to participate in the nomination phase may contact Excellence NB at
Late registrations may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, there is no cost to participate.
Nomination Questions
Can I nominate a business that is not on the official list?
No. Nominations are made from the official list of registered businesses. If a business is missing from the list, please contact us with the business’s information at info@excellencenb.ca
Missing businesses may be added on a case-by-case basis.
Voting Questions
Who can vote?
Voting is open to the public.
How many times can I vote?
You may submit one voting form per day during the voting period. That daily form may include your vote in one or multiple categories, up to all available categories.
Do I need to create an account to vote?
No, you do not need to create an account to vote. You will provide your email address during the voting process.
Can I vote in multiple categories?
Yes. Each daily voting form can include votes in multiple categories, including up to all 95 categories. Only one form submission per person per day is permitted.
What if I miss a day of voting?
You can return on the next day of the voting period and vote again.
Finalists and Winners
How many finalists are selected in each category?
Five finalists are selected in each category.
What do winners receive?
Winners in each category will place Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Winners will receive a certificate and a prize package.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be announced on the website and social media channels. More details will be shared by Excellence NB.
Where can I follow updates?
Follow Excellence NB on social media for updates:
Facebook: @excellencenb
Instagram: @excellencenb
General Questions
Is this only for businesses?
The awards primarily spotlight local New-Brunswick businesses, but the process also includes artists and organizations for consideration, depending on the category.
Is this open across all of New Brunswick?
Yes. The awards are province-wide and intended to celebrate excellence across New Brunswick.
Are businesses of all sizes eligible?
Yes. The awards were designed to ensure businesses of all sizes and backgrounds have an opportunity to be celebrated. Businesses must be founded and operated in NB in order to qualify.
Can a business win in more than one category?
What is the benefit of participating?
Participating in the People’s Choice Awards offers recognition and visibility for businesses, services, and professionals bringing excellence to New Brunswick. It can also help build awareness, community support, and credibility.
Are past winners eligible again?
Yes. As long as the business or artist still meets the participation criteria, they are eligible to participate.
What if information changes after registration?
Participants should contact the awards organizers as soon as possible to update their information, subject to deadlines and platform rules.
Who should I contact if I have a question?
Questions should be directed to Excellence NB through the contact information provided on the official People’s Choice Awards page.
Perks of Participating
Being part of the People's Choice Awards is recognition in itself.
Whether you're nominated, a finalist, or a winner — thousands of New Brunswickers will see your business during this campaign. Learn about the benefits of participating and make sure you're ready to make the most of it.