The Best of the Midwest

The Best of the Midwest operates a platform that facilitates reader-driven contests and directories, showcasing local businesses and experiences across the Upper Midwest. This initiative provides a structured method for community members to nominate and vote for their favorite establishments, spanning diverse categories from arts and entertainment to food, retail, and local services. The platform’s core capability lies in aggregating public sentiment to identify and celebrate regional excellence.

This program was established by Forum Communications Company, leveraging its extensive regional presence and media expertise to foster community engagement. The underlying insight for its creation was the recognition of strong local pride and the desire for a credible, community-centric mechanism to highlight outstanding businesses. It emerged from a strategy to connect audiences with valuable local resources while providing businesses with a tangible form of recognition and marketing.

Businesses utilize Best of the Midwest to gain credibility, boost employee morale, and enhance their visibility within their local markets. Local residents serve as its primary audience, actively participating in the nomination and voting process to discover new favorites and support established ones. The company’s vision is to continuously champion the hard work and dedication of regional enterprises, strengthening the bonds between communities and the businesses that serve them, and fostering a thriving local economy.