Zenith Community Choice Awards

    Celebrating the people and places that make Clarion County special

    Zenith Community Choice Awards

    The Zenith Community Choice Awards are being developed as a public recognition program for local businesses, organizations, programs, services, and community members.

    Community members will help identify nominees and select winners in categories that reflect everyday life in Clarion County. The goal is to celebrate local excellence, encourage community participation, and introduce residents to people and organizations doing good work.

    Community members gathered at a local activity Local business supporting Zenith Community Program Community members participating in a local event

    About the Awards

    The Community Choice Awards are intended to create a positive and accessible way for residents to recognize the businesses, services, organizations, and people they value.

    Community Recognition

    Highlight local businesses, organizations, programs, and individuals that residents believe deserve public recognition.

    Local Participation

    Give community members a direct role in nominations and voting rather than having winners selected by a private committee.

    Community Discovery

    Help residents learn about local shops, services, activities, and organizations they may not already know.

    Positive Promotion

    Give nominees and winners useful recognition they can share online, display at their location, and use in promotional materials.

    Local Pride

    Create a yearly opportunity to celebrate the strengths, character, and variety of the Clarion County community.

    Support for ZCP

    Build awareness of Zenith Community Program and support the growth of its charitable programs and community projects.

    How the Awards Will Work

    The final rules and schedule are still being developed, but the awards are expected to follow a straightforward community nomination and voting process.

    1

    Nominations

    Community members submit eligible local businesses, organizations, programs, or individuals for consideration.

    2

    Finalists

    Eligible nominees are organized by category and placed on the public voting ballot.

    3

    Community Voting

    Residents vote for their preferred nominees during a defined public voting period.

    4

    Recognition

    Winners are announced and may receive digital recognition, printed materials, plaques, or other awards.

    Dates, eligibility rules, voting procedures, category limits, and award details will be published before nominations open.
    Community members participating in a local Zenith event

    Possible Award Categories

    The final ballot may include categories across food, shopping, recreation, services, community programs, youth activities, and individual recognition.

    Possible examples include:

    • Best local restaurant or food item
    • Best local retail business
    • Best professional or home service
    • Best recreation or entertainment activity
    • Best youth program or sports organization
    • Best nonprofit or community organization
    • Best community event
    • Best local employer
    • Outstanding volunteer or community supporter
    • New business or rising community favorite

    Categories may change from year to year based on participation, community interest, and the number of eligible nominees.

    Local residents taking part in a community activity

    Eligibility and Fair Participation

    The final eligibility standards will be published before nominations begin. The awards are expected to focus primarily on businesses, organizations, programs, and individuals serving Clarion County and nearby communities.

    Rules may address:

    • Required connection to the local community
    • Minimum nomination requirements
    • One vote per verified email address
    • Duplicate or fraudulent voting
    • Appropriate placement within award categories
    • Ties, withdrawals, closures, and ineligible nominees
    • Use of award names, badges, plaques, and promotional materials

    Zenith Community Program will administer the process and may resolve questions necessary to maintain a fair and workable public ballot.

    Winner Recognition

    Winners may receive several forms of recognition depending on available resources and sponsorship support.

    Digital Winner Badge

    A shareable digital image that winners may use on websites, social media, advertising, and other promotional materials.

    Public Announcement

    Recognition through Zenith Community Program’s website, social-media pages, email communications, and community outreach.

    Winner Plaque

    Winners may have an opportunity to receive or purchase a physical plaque suitable for display at their business or organization.

    Young volunteers participating in a Zenith community project

    Sponsorship Opportunities

    Sponsorships may help cover ballot administration, website expenses, promotional materials, winner recognition, plaques, community outreach, and other program costs.

    Potential sponsorship opportunities may include:

    • Overall presenting sponsorship
    • Individual category sponsorships
    • Nomination or voting-period sponsorships
    • Printed-material and plaque sponsorships
    • Community event or award-presentation sponsorships

    Sponsorship does not guarantee nomination, finalist status, or an award. Winners will be determined through the published award process.

    Ask About Sponsorship

    Watch for Award Updates

    The Zenith Community Choice Awards are still being developed. Nomination dates, voting dates, categories, eligibility rules, sponsorship details, and award information will be announced when the program is ready to launch.