In 2026, we have added 18 new categories to the 2026 Simply the Best Ballot. We encourage everyone to try and nominate businesses in these categories to help them succeed. Becaue any category that doesn’t have at least 5 nominees won’t make it to the voting ballot. Nominations start January 1, 2026. Remember, you can submit 1 nomination per category per day. And there is nothing preventing you from nominating more than one business!! Also, if you are a business owner, don’t forget to register your business for the 2026 ballot.
Auction Services: A business or individual that provides auction services. It is found under Business.
Cleaning Service (Exterior): A company that provides cleaning services outside homes or businesses, including pressure washing, roof/gutter cleaning, window washing, fence and deck cleaners, etc. The original category, “Cleaning Service” is now listed as “Cleaning Service (Interior).” It is found under Home Maintenance.
Customer Service / Hospitality: A business known for consistently delivering outstanding customer service and creating a welcoming, helpful, and accommodating environment for customers. It is found under Business Excellence.
Extracurricular for Youth: A club or sports association for children or teens, including baseball/softball academies, gymnastics, cheer centers, etc. It is found in the Recreation group.
Functional Medicine: A business that focuses on finding and treating the root causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms. They often combine medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. It is found in the Health & Medical group.
Junk Removal/Movers: A business that provides junk removal, packing and/or moving services. It is found under Home Maintance.
Local Artist: A person who creates visual art that lives within 50 miles of Harrisburg. It is found under Shopping.
Local Personality: An individual who lives within 40 miles of Harrisburg, PA, who is well-known in the community.
Medspa: A spa that offers specialized treatments and cosmetic services and is under the supervision of a licensed physician. It is found in the Health & Medical group. Please note we still have the Day Spa category under Personal Services.
Nonprofit Services: This year we have decided to divide nonprofit services into five specialized categories. For each one, nominees must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, foundation, service club
- Nonprofit (Animals): A nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, protecting, or helping animals in need. Formerly called “Animal Rescue or Charity”
- Nonprofit (Arts & Culture): A nonprofit that focuses on giving back to the arts.
- Nonprofit (Community): A nonprofit that focuses on giving back to the community as a whole.
- Nonprofit (Specialty): A nonprofit that focuses on giving back to a special sector of the population, rather than the community as a whole, such as veterans, seniors, etc. and does not have its own nonprofit category (such as youth, animals).
- Nonprofit (Youth): A nonprofit that focuses on services for people under the age of 18.
Place to Unwind with Wine: A place to go if you want to relax with a glass of wine. It can include winerys, wine bars, and similar places.
Real Estate Attorney: An attorney who focuses on real estate law. It is found under Financial & Legal Services.
Skin Care Clinic: A business that specializes in skincare treatments such as steam, exfoliation, extraction, peels, microdermabrasion, etc. It is found under Personal Services.
Specialty Personal Services: A business that offers personal services that don’t have their own specialized category on the ballot, such as eyelash services, makeup artists, tanning salons, and cosmetic tattooing. It is found under Personal Services. It is found under Personal Services.
Summer Camp: A camp providing recreational and/or athletic facilities for children during the summer vacation period. It is found in the Recreation group.
For a complete list of categories, check out this page.