BEST OF ALASKA WINNERS

We recognize that the Best of Alaska Business (BOAB) honors are not defi nitive, ironclad proclamations of which business in Alaska is metaphysically “best.” That’s a pretty tall order for any award. But in our annual search for the best, we do ask the most qualifi ed group of people we know: our readers. Your everyday interactions with these companies are the most accurate representation of how they work to reach new heights in providing goods, services, and an amazing Alaska experience.

Every year our editorial team reviews the BOAB categories to determine what to keep, what to retire, and what to add, taking into consideration how our readers voted the year previous, as well as suggestions from our sources and partners. This year we have more categories than ever before, which directly serves our goal of recognizing and celebrating as many businesses as we can.

New categories this year include Auto Dealership, Burger Joint, Cargo/Logistics Provider, Jewelry Store, Local Broadcast Media, and Outdoor Gear Retailer.

Another new category is Best Art Gallery; meet the winners and learn how they excel in “Art in the Right Place.” Creative ventures likewise earn accolades in the Best Startup Business category, as detailed in “Sweet, Snowy, Innovative Artistry.” Small businesses like these are a critical component for economic opportunity in communities, a fact well known by Kirk Rose, CEO of the Anchorage Community Land Trust. The Trust’s Set Up Shop model is specifi cally geared toward helping such businesses get their start, which Rose explores in the article “Building from Within.”

Credit is also due to another guest author: BOAB voters. Until those Credit is also due to another guest author: BOAB voters. Until those 2,300 ballots were cast, we had nothing to print. 2,300 ballots were cast, we had nothing to print.

Now it’s time to celebrate the best, not simply in terms of scale or Now it’s time to celebrate the best, not simply in terms of scale or revenue but how a business achieves its mission and satisfi es the public. revenue but how a business achieves its mission and satisfi es the public. The envelope please?