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 Boutique or Luxury Hotel
A New Brunswick hotel offering an upscale or distinctive accommodation experience through premium amenities, personalized service, design, setting, or guest experience. National chain properties are eligible only where the New Brunswick property operates as a distinct or independently managed destination.
Accommodation - Best Campground
A New Brunswick campground, including privately operated, provincial, or national park campgrounds, that provides designated sites for tent or RV camping. Glamping-only accommodations are excluded.
Accommodation - Best Cottage, Chalet or Guest House
A New Brunswick cottage, chalet, guest house, cabin, or similar permanent structure available for short-term overnight rental. Glamping structures such as domes, yurts, and tents are excluded.
Accommodation - Best Glamping
A New Brunswick accommodation offering overnight stays in purpose-built glamping structures such as domes, yurts, safari tents, or similar non-traditional accommodations that provide enhanced comforts beyond conventional camping. Conventional camping businesses are excluded from this category.
Accommodation - Best Inn or Bed and Breakfast
A New Brunswick inn or bed and breakfast offering smaller-scale overnight accommodation characterized by personalized hospitality and a more intimate guest experience than a traditional hotel.
Accommodation - Best Unique Accommodation
A New Brunswick accommodation offering an overnight experience distinguished by an unusual concept, structure, design, location, setting, or other defining feature that sets it apart from conventional accommodations.
Arts & Culture - Best Content Creator
A creator based in New Brunswick who uses social media or digital platforms to create online content to provide value, education, or inspiration to an audience.
Arts & Culture - Best Dimensional Artist
An artist based in New Brunswick whose primary practice involves creating tangible three-dimensional work using materials such as ceramics, fibre, wood, metal, glass, stone, or mixed media.
Arts & Culture - Best DJ
An individual or duo based in New Brunswick whose primary artistic practice includes live DJ performance, mixing, electronic music performance, or related DJ-based entertainment.
Arts & Culture - Best English-Language Band
A musical group based in New Brunswick that is currently active and creates or performs original music primarily in English.
Arts & Culture - Best English-Language Musician
A solo musical artist based in New Brunswick who is currently active and creates or performs original music primarily in English.
Arts & Culture - Best French-Language Band
A musical group based in New Brunswick that is currently active and creates or performs original music primarily in French.
Arts & Culture - Best French-Language Musician
A solo musical artist based in New Brunswick who is currently active and creates or performs original music primarily in French.
Arts & Culture - Best Gallery
A physical gallery in New Brunswick dedicated primarily to exhibiting visual art and featuring the work of New Brunswick artists as part of its programming or exhibitions.
Arts & Culture - Best Indigenous Artisan
An Indigenous artisan based in New Brunswick who creates handmade traditional or contemporary Indigenous works such as beadwork, basketry, quillwork, regalia, carving, textile work, or other forms of craft.
Arts & Culture - Best Indigenous Musician
An Indigenous solo musical artist or musical group based in New Brunswick that is currently active and creates or performs original music.
Arts & Culture - Best Live Music Venue
A physical venue in New Brunswick that regularly presents live musical performances as a central part of its programming or operation. Festivals and temporary event locations are excluded.
Arts & Culture - Best Museum or Heritage Site
A New Brunswick museum, heritage site, interpretive centre, or similar public attraction dedicated to preserving and presenting history, culture, heritage, or science.
Arts & Culture - Best New Brunswick Author
An author based in New Brunswick who has written and published at least one publicly available work, such as fiction, poetry, short stories, or non-fiction. Traditionally published, independently published, and self-published works are eligible.
Arts & Culture - Best Painter or Illustrator
A visual artist based in New Brunswick whose primary practice includes painting or illustration in traditional or digital media.
Arts & Culture - Best Photographer
A professional photographer based in New Brunswick who produces photography in areas such as portraits, weddings, events, commercial work, fine art, nature, or other photographic disciplines.
Arts & Culture - Best Podcast
An audio series hosted and produced in New Brunswick, recognized for its storytelling, production quality, and consistency in engaging its audience. The podcast must be actively publishing or recording epsidoes, with at least one episode published since June 2026.
Arts & Culture - Best Professional Dance Company
A New Brunswick-based professional dance company, troupe, or collective that creates and presents dance performances for public audiences.
Arts & Culture - Best Theatre Company
An ongoing New Brunswick-based theatre company, organization, or collective that produces and presents theatrical performances to the public.
Arts & Culture - Theatre Production of the Year
A specific singular theatre production produced and performed in New Brunswick in 2026-2027.
Experiences - Best Botanical Garden
A public botanical or curated garden in New Brunswick featuring intentionally designed landscapes, diverse plant collections, or seasonal floral displays.
Experiences - Best Family Activity
A New Brunswick business, attraction, or venue that offers activities or experiences intentionally designed to be enjoyed by children and families.
Experiences - Best Festival
A scheduled public festival or recurring event held in New Brunswick that celebrates culture, music, food, arts, heritage, or community and is open to the general public.
Experiences - Best Golf Course
A golf course in New Brunswick that is open to the public or operates as a membership facility and provides a maintained course and supporting golf amenities.
Experiences - Best Night Out with Friends
A New Brunswick venue offering adult-oriented social entertainment or group activities such as trivia, karaoke, bowling, games, or similar experiences.
Experiences - Best Outdoor Adventure Company
A New Brunswick business that offers guided or self-directed outdoor recreation experiences, instruction, equipment rentals, or adventure activities such as horseback riding, hiking, cycling, ATVing, skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, or similar land-based activities.
Experiences - Best Patio
A New Brunswick business offering an outdoor patio where customers can enjoy food or beverages in a dedicated outdoor dining or social space.
Experiences - Best Tour Provider
A New Brunswick-based tour operator that offers guided tours or experiences showcasing the province's culture, history, food, communities, natural landscapes, or attractions.
Experiences - Best U-Pick or Orchard
A New Brunswick farm or orchard that welcomes the public to pick fruit, vegetables, flowers, or other farm-grown products directly from the property.
Experiences - Best Water Adventure Company
A New Brunswick business that offers water-based recreation experiences, instruction, equipment rentals, or activities such as kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, rafting, sailing, surfing, or similar water activities.
Experiences - Best Winter Adventure Company
A New Brunswick business that offers outdoor winter recreation experiences, instruction, equipment rentals, or activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, skating, ice fishing, or similar winter activities.
Experiences - Best Workshop or DIY Experience
A New Brunswick business, studio, or organization that offers hands-on workshops or classes where participants actively learn or create, such as art, craft, cooking, or other practical or creative skills.
Food & Drink - Best African Cuisine
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor whose menu primarily features cuisine from one or more African culinary traditions.
Food & Drink - Best Asian Cuisine
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor whose menu primarily features cuisine from one or more Asian culinary traditions.
Food & Drink - Best Bakery
A business that prepares and sells fresh baked goods, such as breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, and similar items, directly to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Bar
A bar, pub, or lounge that primarily serves alcoholic beverages to the public.
Food & Drink - Best BBQ or Grill
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor primarily known for barbecue or grilled dishes, including smoked meats, steaks, ribs, flame-grilled entrées, or similar offerings.
Food & Drink - Best Brewery
A brewery that produces beer under its own brand and sells or serves it to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Brunch
A restaurant or café that offers a dedicated brunch menu featuring breakfast and lunch dishes during late-morning or early-afternoon service.
Food & Drink - Best Burger
A restaurant, pub, diner, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves burgers as a core menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Cafe
A café that prepares and serves coffee, espresso-based drinks, and other beverages to the public, with or without light food offerings.
Food & Drink - Best Chocolatier
A business that produces and sells its own chocolates, such as bonbons, truffles, bars, or similar chocolate products, under its own brand.
Food & Drink - Best Cidery
A cidery that produces apple- or fruit-based cider under its own brand and sells or serves it to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Distillery
A distillery that produces spirits under its own brand and sells or serves them to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Donair
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves donairs as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best European Cuisine
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor whose menu primarily features cuisine from one or more European culinary traditions.
Food & Drink - Best Fish and Chips
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves fish and chips as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Food Truck
A licensed food truck that prepares and serves made-to-order food to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Fried Clams
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves fried clams as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Ice Cream Shop
A shop or producer that serves ice cream, gelato, sorbet, soft-serve, or similar frozen desserts to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Indian Cuisine
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor whose menu primarily features Indian cuisine.
Food & Drink - Best Latin American Cuisine
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor whose menu primarily features cuisine from Mexico, Central America, South America, or other Latin American culinary traditions.
Food & Drink - Best Lobster Roll
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves lobster rolls as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Maple Syrup Producer
A producer that makes its own maple syrup and sells it or related maple products to the public.
Food & Drink - Best Middle Eastern Cuisine
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor whose menu primarily features cuisine from one or more Middle Eastern culinary traditions.
Food & Drink - Best Pasta
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves pasta as a core or prominent menu offering.
Food & Drink - Best Pizza
A pizzeria, restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves pizza as a core menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Poutine
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves poutine as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Sauce or Condiment
A New Brunswick producer that makes and sells its own sauces or condiments under its own brand, such as barbecue sauce, hot sauce, mustard, dressing, or similar products.
Food & Drink - Best Seafood Chowder
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves seafood chowder as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Specialty Bar
A bar or lounge that specializes in cocktails, mocktails, wine, whisky, or other specialty or signature beverages. Breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries operating on-site bars are excluded.
Food & Drink - Best Vegetarian or Vegan Dish
A restaurant, food truck, or food vendor that prepares and serves a vegetarian or vegan dish as a regular menu item.
Food & Drink - Best Waterfront Restaurant or Bar
A restaurant or bar located directly on or beside a beach, lake, river, harbour, or other waterfront, with on-site seating that offers customers a clear waterfront view.
Food & Drink - Best Winery
A winery that produces grape, fruit, or honey wine under its own brand and sells or serves it to the public.
Retail - Best Arts and Crafts Store
A retail business that sells art, craft, sewing, or DIY supplies, such as paints, canvases, yarn, fabric, paper, beads, or similar materials.
Retail - Best Bath and Beauty Products
A business that develops and sells bath, body, skincare, haircare, fragrance, cosmetic, or similar personal care products under its own brand.
Retail - Best Bookstore
A retail business that sells new or used books and may also sell magazines, stationery, gifts, or related products.
Retail - Best Boutique
A retail business primarily focused on apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, and other fashion-related products.
Retail - Best Butcher Shop
A butcher business that prepares, cuts, or processes meat and sells it directly to consumers through a dedicated shop, market stand, or similar retail setting.
Retail - Best Farmers' Market
A regularly scheduled seasonal or year-round market featuring multiple local vendors selling products such as produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, flowers, prepared foods, or artisan goods.
Retail - Best Fish and Seafood Shop
A business that prepares or sells fish and seafood directly to consumers through a dedicated shop, market stand, or similar retail setting.
Retail - Best Florist
A business that designs and sells fresh bouquets, floral arrangements, event florals, plants, or similar floral products to the public. A physical storefront is not required.
Retail - Best Furniture and Home Decor Store
A retail business that sells furniture, lighting, rugs, decorative accents, or other products for furnishing and decorating the home.
Retail - Best Gift Shop
A retail business that sells a curated selection of gifts, cards, home accents, artisan goods, and similar products, including products made in New Brunswick.
Retail - Best Handmade Apparel and Accessories
A business or artisan that makes and sells its own apparel or wearable accessories, such as clothing, bags, footwear, scarves, or similar products. Products may be sold in-store, at markets, or online.
Retail - Best Health and Wellness Store
A retail business specializing in health and wellness products such as natural or organic foods, bulk foods, vitamins, supplements, or herbal products.
Retail - Best Independent Grocery Store
A locally owned grocery store or specialty food market that sells a range of everyday food essentials to the public.
Retail - Best Jewellery Maker
An artisan or business that designs and makes its own jewellery using metals, gemstones, beads, or other materials and sells it to the public.
Retail - Best Outdoor Recreation Store
A retail business specializing in equipment, apparel, or gear for outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping, paddling, skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, or fishing. Bicycle shops are excluded.
Retail - Best Pet Food and Supplies
A retail business that sells pet food, treats, accessories, and specialty pet care supplies, including products made in New Brunswick.
Retail - Best Plant Nursery
A garden centre or nursery that grows or sells plants, trees, shrubs, seeds, soil, or gardening supplies to the public. Businesses focused primarily on landscaping services are not eligible.
Retail - Best Produce Farmer
A New Brunswick farmer or grower that produces fruit, vegetables, herbs, or other edible crops for sale directly to consumers or through local retailers or markets. U-pick operations and orchards are excluded.
Retail - Best Thrift and Vintage Store
A retail business that sells secondhand, consigned, thrifted, or vintage clothing, accessories, furniture, home goods, or similar items.
Services - Best Barbershop
A business primarily specializing in barbering services such as clipper cuts, fades, tapers, line-ups, beard trimming, facial-hair grooming, or traditional shaving.
Services - Best Beauty Service
A business primarily providing esthetic or beauty services such as facials, waxing, nail care, or similar treatments. Hair salons and barbershops are excluded.
Services - Best Boutique Fitness Studio
A specialized fitness studio offering instructor-led programming such as yoga, Pilates, barre, dance, cycling, HIIT, boxing, martial arts, climbing, aerial fitness, or rowing.
Services - Best Catering Service
A catering business that provides food or beverage service for events, weddings, corporate functions, or private gatherings and may also provide delivery, setup, or on-site service.
Services - Best Event and Wedding Services
A business providing event or wedding planning, coordination, decorating, equipment rental, or similar support services. Venues, caterers, photographers, and florists are excluded.
Services - Best Event and Wedding Venue
A business or dedicated facility that provides a physical space for hosting weddings, celebrations, corporate functions, or other events.
Services - Best Gym and CrossFit
A locally operated gym or CrossFit facility offering strength and conditioning, cardio or weight-training facilities, functional fitness, group classes, or personal training.
Services - Best Hair Salon
A business primarily providing hairstyling and hair-care services such as cutting, styling, colouring, highlighting, treatments, extensions, or chemical texture services.
Services - Best Interior Decor and Styling Service
A business providing interior decorating or styling services for residential or commercial spaces, including space planning, décor selection, and aesthetic design.
Services - Best Pet Grooming Service
A professional pet grooming business offering services such as bathing, haircuts, brushing, drying, nail trimming, ear cleaning, or de-shedding.
Services - Best Spa
A spa focused on relaxation, wellness, or rejuvenation, including day spas, medi-spas, Nordic spas, and thermal spas. Businesses focused primarily on beauty or esthetic services are excluded.
Services - Best Tattoo Shop
A licensed tattoo studio that provides custom, flash, or similar tattoo services and may also provide body piercing.
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.