The party is returning.

Nominations for Best of Baldwin 2024 will begin Sept. 13, marking the start of the next annual Best Of season with Gulf Coast Media. The readers choice contest celebrates everything Baldwin County, its cities and people have to offer, with winners being named in nearly 450 categories. There is no subscription to GCM or cost necessary to nominate, be nominated, vote or win, making the contest an expansive cross-section of the community.

Last year, more than 400,000 votes were cast for everything from best car dealership to best annual festival, from best high school to best orthodontist. Best of Baldwin serves as a guide to newcomers, visitors and generational natives alike, offering a vetted list and the opportunity to learn about new places and things to do at the beach, along the Eastern Shore and across Baldwin County.

"I've never seen anything quite like Best of Baldwin. The energy and enthusiasm around supporting each other has been incredible," said Vince Johnson, Gulf Coast Media publisher. "I can't wait to see how it continues to grow and the impact it continues to make on our great local businesses."

Nominations will be accepted Wednesday, Sept. 13, through Wednesday, Oct. 11. The nomination period is important because only the top five entries with the most nominations in each category will advance as a finalist to the voting round.

Everyone can nominate once per day in every category.

Voting will then take place Wednesday, Oct. 25, through Wednesday, Nov. 22. The winners will be announced for the first time at the Best of Baldwin Red Carpet Event in February and subsequently in the annual Best of Baldwin magazine and on the winners website, www.gulfcoastmedia.com/bestof.

While participation and eligibility to win are open to the public, you can promote your business or nomination throughout the nomination and voting period to make yourself stand out with an expanded listing and other "vote for us" packages. Contact your GCM sales representative, or email promotions@gulfcoastmedia.com. All promotional packages run throughout the voting round.

Nominate starting Sept. 13 at www.gulfcoastmedia.com/bestof.