YOUR vote could determine this year’s top business, beach, restaurant, and more in the Best of the Marianas contest, which will be collecting votes until Aug. 25.
This is the second iteration of the contest, which collects votes online and in person to highlight the very best that the Marianas has to offer.
Physical ballots are available every Tuesday and Thursday in the daily edition of Marianas Variety. Voters may drop ballots into special boxes at the following locations:
• Afetna Store
• Hannam Market
• Happy Market, As Lito
• LJ’s Store
• Marianas Variety
• Marianas Visitors Authority
• Mobil Kagman
• New Downtown Market
• Twins Supermarket Navy Hill
• Twins Supermarket Dandan
On Variety’s website, readers will find dozens of categories that paint a picture of everything residents and tourists can enjoy on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Online voting is as simple as submitting registration information, selecting a division and category, and clicking vote. Users are allowed one vote per category and may change their vote.
Winners of the contest get to hold the coveted “Best of the Marianas” plaque for the year they won and can display it in public.
Island institutions and businesses aren’t the only winners in the Best of the Marianas contest.
Variety will select three lucky winners each week who will each receive a $50 cash prize or a business voucher.
The weekly raffle drawing starts on Wednesday, July 10 at 4 p.m. on Variety’s Facebook page.
For its baby grand prize, Variety will raffle off a staycation for two to Saipan, Tinian, or Rota for voters during the voting period.
One grand prize winner will win a roundtrip ticket for two to Japan, courtesy of the Marianas Visitors Authority.
According to Martin Duenas, MVA community projects manager, “We’re seeing many establishments proudly displaying their Best of the Marianas awards, even at events like the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival. There’s a lot of pride behind it — and rightly so. For our visitors, it’s a convenient way for them to know and experience what we residents also have voted to be the best, whether that is food, services, beaches, or others. We encourage everyone to vote for their favorites.”
He said Best of the Marianas could also help businesses “really stand out,” bringing more attention and foot traffic to their locations.
