Simply the Best 2027 Nomination Categories and Guidelines

Harrisburg Magazine is adding individual nomination categories to its “Simply the Best” awards to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

The decision to broaden the scope of the annual awards aims to increase accuracy and efficiency in the selection process, Harrisburg Magazine reported. By requiring specific details for nominees—such as law firms for attorneys or places of work for chefs—the publication ensures that the final ballot reflects verified local excellence.

The expanded list includes several new categories designed to capture different facets of community impact. These additions move the awards into the “People Group,” which will now feature designations for first responders, community volunteers, and “Future Leaders” under the age of 18.

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The 2027 ballot will feature a highly granular approach to professional recognition. In the legal sector, the magazine is distinguishing between various specialties, including bankruptcy, business/corporate, criminal defense, divorce/family law, estate planning, personal injury, and real estate attorneys. Each nomination requires the individual’s full name and their respective law firm to maintain the integrity of the voting process.

Healthcare and wellness professionals also feature prominently in the new structure. The categories now explicitly separate dental assistants, dental hygienists, general dentists, and specialty dentists. Similarly, the “People Group” will recognize doctors and nurses, while the “Shopping Group” will host a dedicated category for veterinarians.

Group	Featured Categories
Financial & Legal Services	Bankruptcy, Business, Criminal Defense, Divorce/Family, Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Real Estate, and Tax Attorneys; Financial Consultants.
People Group	Coach, Community Volunteer, Doctor, First Responder, Future Leader, High School Athlete, Local Rising Star, Mentor, Nurse, Person Who Makes Harrisburg Better, and Unsung Hero.
Dental Group	Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, General Dentist, and Specialty Dentist.
Business Group	Real Estate Agent (Broker/Team Leader, Individual, or Team).

Local artists, radio personalities, and television personalities are all slated for recognition, ensuring the “Harrisburg Area Life Group” captures the cultural pulse of the community.

To facilitate this larger volume of data, the magazine is utilizing a Wufoo registration form for all submissions. The requirement for specific identifiers—such as a dealership name for an auto salesperson or a salon name for a hair stylist—is designed to prevent confusion during the balloting stage. If an individual successfully makes it to the ballot, these details allow the magazine to contact them directly.

The categories are organized into distinct groups to streamline the user experience. For instance, the “Restaurants Group” will focus on chefs and their specific places of work, while the “Personal Services Group” will handle hair stylists and barbers.