‘Running a business is no small feat’: winners of Best of Southern Utah celebrated at gala

Written by Stephanie DeGraw
June 7, 2024

ST. GEORGE — Business owners and staff sparkled in formal attire Thursday evening at the largest Best of Southern Utah gala on record. Around 600 people attended the event hosted by Canyon Media and St. George News, with Dixie Power as the title sponsor at the Dixie Center. 

Best of Southern Utah 2024 winners, which include staff from Mesquite Gaming/Casablanca Resort and the Virgin River Casino, St. George, Utah, June 6, 2024 |  Canyon Media photo, St. George News

“We are excited to be able to celebrate your accomplishments because we know that running a business is no small feat; it involves countless hours, endless determination and let’s be honest, you don’t get the pats on the back that you probably deserve,” Ben Lindquist, general manager of  Canyon Media/St. George News, told the crowd. “You didn’t end up in this room without being great and making tough decisions, sometimes exercising enough faith that you just cross your fingers enough and hope that what you do will work out, and when it doesn’t, the characteristic of each of you, of your business, is that when it doesn’t, you find a way forward.”

Over 300 gold and silver award winners were crowned in 10 consolidated categories: Activities and Entertainment; Business and Services; Food and Beverage; General Services; Home and Garden; Lifestyle and Beauty; Medical, Schools; Shopping; and Vehicles and Services. The list of winning businesses is available online at BestofSouthernUtah.com and in the 2024 Best of Southern Utah magazine.

KONY Country radio station midday DJ Monica Monica McGlochlin presented the winning businesses with a prize package and dinner, including a gold or silver medal, a window cling and a certificate celebrating their accomplishment.

The competition was tough, with 1,680 businesses eligible. Community members voted for the top-rated business in each category. Lindquist said the contest is a fun way for locals to help promote their favorite spots and an opportunity to celebrate business owners.

Dixie Power CEO LaDel Laub told attendees that the Best of Southern Utah is a way to showcase the community’s businesses and celebrate their strengths.

“We’re a community that’s growing, but we can’t do that without small business,” Laub said.

Save Dental staff celebrate their award at the Best of Southern Utah 2024 gala, St. George, Utah, June 6, 2024 | Canyon Media photo, St. George News

In addition to celebrating the winners, the magazine serves as a guidebook for those seeking the best Southern Utah has to offer. The award-winning businesses are available online at BestofSouthernUtah.com and in the 2024 Best of Southern Utah magazine. 

Complimentary copies of the magazine are available at the following businesses:

  • Canyon Media, 3143 S. 840 East, Suite 100, St. George.
  • St. George Regional Airport, 4550 S. Airport Parkway, St. George.
  • BigShots Golf, 1108 W. Black Mountain Drive, St. George.
  • Dixie Power, 145 W. Brigham Road, St. George.
  • Red Cliffs, 1770 E. Red Cliffs Drive, St. George.
  • Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office, 111 E. Tabernacle St., St. George.
  • Lin’s Market, 1930 W. Sunset Blvd., St. George.
  • Fabulous Freddy’s Car Wash, 806 N. Bluff St., St. George.
  • Hurst Ace Hardware, 160 N. Bluff St., St. George.
  • TDS, 912 W. 1600 South, Building B, Suite 103, St. George.
  • Digby’s Market, 1955 N. Snow Canyon Parkway, St. George.
  • Red Fort Cuisine of India, 148 S. 1470 East, St. George.
  • Riverfront Medical Center, 617 E. Riverside Drive, St. George.
  • Summit Athletic Club, 1532 E. 1450 S., St. George.
  • Summit Athletic Club, 963 S. Bluff St., St. George.
  • Summit Athletic Club, 2203 W. Sunset Blvd, St. George.
  • View and download a map of the distribution locations here.

Canyon Media managed the development and publication of the magazine, which is the largest to date. 15,000 copies of the glossy publication will be distributed throughout the community in the coming weeks.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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