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The 歪歪漫画 its parent company, Forum Communications, are currently working to expand the company's 鈥淏est Of鈥� contest programs with a first round of feature releases planned to launch this summer.

The company is creating an expanded version of the program, which has been a reader favorite for more than 15 years, covering the Midwest region. It will build on established contests, including those taking place annually in 13 of Forum Communications鈥� local news markets.

These contests serve as a way for community members to recognize local businesses of excellence across a variety of categories. Historically, these contests have taken place during a two-week period, with results published shortly after the conclusion of the contest.

However, the Pioneer and Forum Communications recently recognized reader demand for continuous access to local business recommendations throughout the year and began working on expanding its "Best Of" programs last summer to create a year-round destination for community recommendations.

This summer, Forum Communications will be launching a brand new 鈥淏est of the Midwest鈥� website that will serve as the new home for more than 14 local 鈥淏est of the Best鈥� contests and winner directories from cities across the Upper Midwest, including:

1. Best of the Best, Bemidji Pioneer (formerly Best of the Bemidji Area)
2. Best of the Best, Brainerd Dispatch (formerly Best of Brainerd Lakes)
3. Best of the Best, Detroit Lakes Tribune (formerly Best of the Lakes Area)
4. Best of the Best, Alexandria Echo Press (formerly Best of the Lakes Region)
5. Best of the Best, Dickinson Press (formerly Best of the Western Edge)
6. Best of the Best, InForum (formerly Best of the Red River Valley)
7. Best of the Best, Grand Forks Herald (formerly Best of the Best Greater Grand Forks)
8. Best of the Best, Jamestown Sun (formerly Best of the Jamestown Area)
9. Best of the Best, Mitchell Republic (formerly Best of Mitchell)
10. Best of the Best, The Globe (formerly Best of The Globe)
11. Best of the Best, Park Rapids Enterprise (New this year)
12. Best of the Best, Post Bulletin 
13. Best of the Best, Duluth News Tribune
14. Best of the Best, West Central Tribune

In Bemidji, nominations will begin July 23.

With the launch of this year-round Best Of destination, businesses participating in the contests will be exposed to an even larger audience of voters and fans, creating higher visibility and engagement for local brands. Additionally, long-time participants in the Pioneer's 鈥淏est Of鈥� contest can look forward to the following improvements when the site is launched:

• A refreshed 鈥淏est of the Best鈥� brand to accompany the expanded program with a cohesive logo mark across all participating markets. This will allow community members visiting winning establishments in any Midwest market to quickly and easily identify businesses proudly displaying their 鈥淏est of the Best鈥� recognition and understand what the honor symbolizes.
• Easy-button navigation from Forum Communications鈥� local news sites to the Best of the Midwest website for year-round access to winners and contest information.
• A regionalized newsfeed of content focused on offering travelers to the Midwest recommendations of where to eat, stay and play in the area.
• A search function to help readers easily find a category or business recommendation and to help advertisers easily locate their own listing.
• A downloadable media kit for advertisers to identify tactics for improving their chances of receiving 鈥淏est of the Best鈥� recognition.
• A 鈥淏est Of鈥� newsletter where readers and advertisers alike can stay informed about how to participate in local contests.
• An archive of past digital editions of 鈥淏est Of鈥� magazines.

More information on nominations and voting will be released as it becomes available.