In this 26th annual “Best of Sarasota” issue, we spotlight 256 winners and finalists in categories from dining and shopping to arts and entertainment. Shining a light on what’s best and brightest about our beautiful city is our mission and our passion, and we’re proud to live in a place that supports and celebrates excellence.

We’re also proud to celebrate some excellence of our own. We just learned that Sarasota Magazine has been named a finalist for General Excellence in the City and Regional Magazine Association’s (CRMA) annual competition. The contest is judged by professionals from some of the country’s biggest and best-known magazines, and their recognition puts our city as well as our publication in a national spotlight.

Towards the end of this month, we’ll be heading to the CRMA conference in Houston, where the final winners will be announced. We hope you’ll wish us luck—and we also hope you’ll allow us to use this opportunity to share some other recognition we’ve recently received.

Over the past year, our company has won 17 awards for writing, design and overall excellence from two Florida journalism associations. It’s affirming and motivating to be recognized by our peers, especially in Florida, which is home to many magazines and has one of the biggest magazine associations in the country.

We’d like to salute our talented staff and contributors, whose storytelling and artistry bring the region to life on our pages every month. Here’s a quick look at those awards.

Florida Magazine Association Awards

Best Service Feature: Silver Award for executive editor Kay Kipling’s “Season Preview,” in our November 2015 issue; and first-place “Charlie” Award for “Best of the Beaches,” December 2015
Best Commentary: Bronze Award for writer Adie Tomer’s “Stuck in Traffic,” May 2015
Best Photographic Essay: First-place “Charlie Award” for “Lands that We Love,” June 2015, featuring photography by Everett Dennison
Best Feature Design: Silver Award for art director Gigi Ortwein for “Outdoor Adventures,” April 2016
Best Magazine Website: First Place “Charlie” Award
Best Overall Design: Bronze Award
Best Written Magazine: Bronze Award
Best Overall Magazine: Bronze Award
Best Redesign: Silver award for art director Pepe Nieto’s reinvention of our sister publication, 941CEO

Sunshine State Awards, the South Florida Society of Professional Journalists

Best Public Service Reporting: First Place, “Going Nowhere,” by Tony D’Souza, January 2015
Best Investigative Story: First Place, “Going Nowhere”; Second Place, “The Sky is Falling,” also by Tony D’Souza, October 2015
Best Profile Story: Third Place, “The Warrior,” by Kim Hackett, November 2015
Best Commentary and Criticism: Third Place, “Tallahassee vs. The People of Florida,” by editorial director Pam Daniel, June 2015
Best Cover Design: Third Place, art director Gigi Ortwein
Best Inside Design: Third Place, art director Gig Ortwein