As you celebrate this Labor Day weekend with family and friends, be sure to take a few minutes to support your favorite local businesses and vote in The Business Journal’s Best of Central Valley Business Readers Choice Awards.

Now in its 11th year, the Best of Central Valley Business Awards are meant to celebrate local companies that make a difference in the community. Beginning today and running through Oct. 31, Business Journal readers are invited to choose the winners in 40 categories. 

Some of the categories are geared toward promoting general excellence and philanthropy, such as Best Company to Work For and Best Business Supporting Local Charities. Others recognize top performance in a given industry, including Best Home Builder, Auto Dealership, Law Firm and Marketing Agency. Some categories – Best Bar to Entertain Clients, Best Golf Course to Take a Client and Best Lunch Spot – recognize places to do business outside the office.

And some don’t recognize businesses at all, but rather those whose decisions have a direct impact on business, such as Best Elected Official.

We had nearly half a million votes tallied last year, and hope to exceed that mark once again. Visit the Best of Central Valley Business survey page today to let your voice be heard. Voters will find 10 candidates listed for each category to choose from as well as a write-in option. We’ve seen companies go from write-ins to winners within a few voting cycles, highlighting the importance of business owners mobilizing their online presence between now and Oct. 31, when voting ends.

This is one of the most exciting programs from The Business Journal, culminating in a special awards reception Dec. 11. For more information about Best of Central Valley Business, visit the events page.

And don’t forget to vote!

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Ashley Webster Rudolph is the associate publisher of The Business Journal.