One of the highlights of the year is the opportunity to shine a spotlight on what matters most to our readers. It’s the season for celebrating the winners of the Best of the Best competition—an accolade determined entirely by the voices of our loyal audience. Through your nominations and votes, you draw attention to the local businesses, professionals and establishments that make our community exceptional. 

There’s an obvious excitement when the latest issue is released, revealing your top picks. The winning businesses eagerly share this recognition across their social media channels, and you’ll often see our provided decals proudly displayed on their doors, serving as a badge of honor. 

For anyone new to our Best of the Best process, here’s how it works. We establish a list of categories, and the rest is entirely in your hands. You submit the nominations, casting the spotlight on those you feel deserve recognition. From there, voting begins, and the results are a pure reflection of your collective choices. At Akers Media Group, we simply facilitate the process, ensuring that the outcome is fueled solely by reader input.

This year brought an overwhelming level of participation, breaking records with over 40,000 votes submitted. You celebrated everything from the tastiest dishes at local eateries to hairstylists creating magical makeovers. The competition highlighted compassionate doctors, skilled massage therapists and financial advisors guiding their clients to success. Recognizing community excellence in this way is one of the most powerful gestures of support and appreciation. 

This initiative also serves as a handy local guide. Whether you’re in need of a professional to help you buy or sell a home or a fitness expert to assist you in achieving health goals, this list becomes a trusted resource for anyone seeking top-notch services. 

To close, I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to every nominee and winner of this year’s Best of the Best. Through your dedication and exceptional service to this community, you set an inspiring standard for everyone around you. Thank you for helping make Lake and Sumter counties such wonderful places to live, work and thrive. 

Sincerely,

Kendra