Public nominations open January 2 to celebrate standout downtown businesses and leaders
The Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) will launch the fourth annual Best in BID Awards on January 2, inviting the public to nominate and vote for exceptional businesses and business leaders within the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District (BID).
The Best in BID Awards celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make downtown Spokane vibrant. Winners are selected through a community-driven nomination and voting process that generates strong engagement across social media and other platforms, making each category a coveted recognition for businesses located within the BID.
The public nomination period will run from January 2 through January 12. From those nominations, four finalists per category will be selected and advance to public voting, which will take place January 14 through January 25.
2026 Best in BID Award Categories:
- Best new business (opened in 2025)
- Best local legacy (10+ years)
- Best after-work hang
- Best place to start your morning
- Most inviting interior (warmest vibe/best ambiance)
- Best place to discover something new
- Best “treat yourself” destination
- Best food/beverage after a show
- Most community-minded business
- Most inspirational business owner
Finalists receiving the highest number of public votes in each category will be named 2026 Best in BID Award winners. Winners will be recognized at the 2026 Downtown Spokane Annual Meeting, where the DSP will also convene downtown stakeholders, elected officials, and community members to highlight 2025 accomplishments and outline priorities for the year ahead. The Annual Meeting will take place on February 25 in the former Rite Aid space at the Parkade.
For more information on the 2026 Best in BID Awards, visit downtownspokane.org/best-in-bid-awards.