Contest Info & Rules - 2025 Topsail's Top Choice Awards

 

TOPSAIL’S TOP CHOICE 2025 INFO & RULES

 

Voting Method and Requirements

  • Visit the official Topsail’s Top Choice website at www.topsailstopchoice.com.
  • Fill out the registration form to create your Top Choice account.
    • Your account must include your full first and last name and a valid email address for votes to count.
      • Abbreviations, initials, or duplicate variations of the same name (for example: Bob Smith, B Smith, Bob S, Robert S, Rob Smith) may be flagged and removed. Votes associated with incomplete or duplicate names may be disqualified at the discretion of contest administrators.
  • There are no fees to register, nominate, or vote.

 

Voting Limits

  • Each person may vote for only one business per category.
  • You may edit or update your vote in any category until the voting period ends.

 

How We Ensure Fair Voting

  • Anti-fraud software is in place and tracks all aspects of voting on the platform by each user: IP addresses, locations, categories voted in, etc.
  • Voters must register with their own full first and last name (no initials) and unique email address.
  • IP addresses are monitored for unusual patterns and flagged for review.
    • If multiple people are voting in the same household, we recommend voting from different devices to avoid being flagged.
  • Ballot manipulation anomalies are flagged for review by contest administrators. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation of fake accounts, the use of bots, and the purchase of votes from third-party services.
    • If evidence of purchased votes is identified within the system, or if another business provides credible proof of such activity by a contender, the offending contender will be subject to immediate disqualification.
    • Topsail’s Top Choice reserves the right to adjust rules or categories to maintain fairness for all contenders if it is determined that a business is exploiting loopholes or attempting to manipulate the voting process.
  • Contest administrators also reserve the right to review and remove duplicate or suspicious votes if it is reasonably determined that multiple accounts were created by the same individual.

 

Nominee Eligibility

  • Nominees must be businesses located in the Greater Topsail area, which includes Scotts Hill, Hampstead, Surf City, Topsail Beach, North Topsail, Holly Ridge, and Sneads Ferry.
    • Because some Scotts Hill businesses use a Wilmington mailing address, exact physical addresses must be provided before approval so they can be properly mapped to the eligible area.
  • Businesses must be actively operating in the Greater Topsail area before nominations close on October 24, 2025, to be eligible. Nominations will not be approved based on planned or anticipated openings. A business may only be added once its physical location is officially open and verifiable.
  • Businesses outside these towns must:

1.  Be an active member of the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, and

2.  Regularly provide services to local residents.

  • Eligibility is verified through business licenses, websites, and/or social media. In some cases, an admin will call the business owner for verification if information can’t be found online.
  • Chamber membership is not required to participate.

 

Nominations

  • Nominations open Tuesday, September 16, 2025 and closes on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
  • All nominations are reviewed by contest admins for correct placement before appearing on the ballot.
  • Please allow up to 48 hours for nomination approval. Approvals are not instant or automated — each nominee’s location and business information must be verified before being added to the ballot.
  • If a business has multiple locations, each location must be nominated separately. Businesses may not combine or share a single listing for multiple locations, as this results in pooled votes and creates an unfair advantage over single-location businesses.
  • If a nominee is submitted to the wrong category, contest administrators may move it to the correct category or decline the nomination.

 

Voting Period

  • Voting begins at 12:00 AM on October 1, 2025 and ends at 11:59 PM on October 31, 2025.
  • Rankings will display in real time until Friday, October 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM, after which results will “Go Dark.” Once rankings are dark, the standings remain hidden until the winners are announced on November 15, 2025.

 

Category Selection

  • Businesses may compete in up to three (3) categories total. This is a maximum, not a guarantee — many businesses will only qualify for one category.
  • Category descriptions and requirements have been added this year to provide clear category boundaries. Businesses will be placed only in the categories where they truly fit.
    • Submitting a business into categories where it does not belong does not create an advantage — it takes opportunities away from those the category was designed for and may ultimately reflect poorly with both fellow business owners and customers.

 

Use of Logos and Badges

  • Any unauthorized or deceptive use of Topsail’s Top Choice logos, badges, or other official contest materials may result in disqualification.

 

Permissions and Use of Likeness

  • By participating, businesses agree that Topsail’s Top Choice may use their name, likeness, and image in contest promotions.
  • If a business does not wish to participate, they should email info@topsailstopchoice.com. Once the request is received, the business will be removed from all categories. This action is irreversible.

 

Results and Announcements

  • Winners will be revealed on November 15, 2025, across multiple platforms.
    • Be sure to follow @topsailstopchoice on Facebook and Instagram for important announcements and notifications.
  • The top three businesses in each category will be displayed on our website, right where voting took place. Their names will appear at the top of the full list of contenders with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place badges beside them.
  • 1st place winners will also receive a physical award to display at their business and their photo will appear in Topsail Magazine.
  • All top three winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) will receive:
    • 2025 placement window decals
    • Digital badges for use on social media and websites
    • And of course — bragging rights as Topsail’s favorites!
  • In the event of a tie, all tied businesses will be recognized at that placement and awarded accordingly.