BEST OF ST. PETE-CLEARWATER 2026 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

ST. PETE-CLEARWATER, Fla. (Aug. 28, 2026) - Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, along with the Pinellas County hospitality and Tourism industry, last night celebrated Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's 2026 Besties Awards Presented by Envisionit & Miles Partnership. The awards ceremony crowned winners across a record 38 categories during a celebration at The St. Petersburg Coliseum. The complete list of the 2026 Best of St. Pete-Clearwater is available at VisitSPC.com/best-of-winners.

This year, the annual event crowned the winners from 337 nominees – the most ever. A 2-month voting period drew an all-time high of nearly 90,000 votes from locals and visitors alike to determine the top spots. The celebration of excellence will include a special appearance by local media personality Allison Godlove as well as former Tampa Bay Rays player, Brett Phillips, who engaged the crowd while adding extra flair and high energy to the evening, 

The list of finalists in each category, along with a wealth of information about the beautiful St. Pete-Clearwater destination, can be found in the newest edition of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's award-winning Gulf to Bay Destination Magazine. The go-to source for all the amazing activities and experiences that await visitors is now available to view on VisitSPC.com or can be ordered for free. 

The newest edition of Gulf to Bay Magazine aligns with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's new "BEACH. CULTURE." campaign and features a new and refreshed visual design, including category icons, an interactive map graphic of America’s Favorite Beaches, St. Pete-Clearwater’s communities, and the return of custom stickers designed by local artist Clancy Riehm. Copies of the award-winning publication will be inserted into The New York Times on Sunday, September 13 across key markets like Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington D.C., promoting the ideal destination for a getaway under the sun.

Download images of the Gulf to Bay Magazine

“The Besties Awards at The St. Petersburg Coliseum was an unforgettable evening spotlighting the incredible talent, hospitality, and hard work across Pinellas County’s tourism and hospitality industry,” said Visit St. Pete-Clearwater President/CEO Brian Lowack. “Not only did we celebrate the winners, we were able to say thank you to all the businesses that play a vital role in making our community extraordinary and deliver the BEACH. CULTURE. that can only be experienced in St. Pete-Clearwater." 

Industry partners across Pinellas County joint efforts in fiscal year 2025 welcomed nearly 15 million visitors who chose St. Pete-Clearwater for its Beach Culture, their world-renowned sugar sand beaches and unique experiences from the Gulf Coast to Tampa Bay. Aside from tourism generating more than $10 billion in annual economic impact, tourism and hospitality properties and businesses contributed sales and property taxes totaling nearly $400 million to the local economy in fiscal year 2025, and each Pinellas County household saved nearly $2,000 in property taxes thanks to the funds generated by tourism.

– BEACH. CULTURE. –

About Visit St. Pete-Clearwater:
Beyond promises of sunshine and memories made in the sand, St. Pete-Clearwater delivers discovery far beyond the shoreline. Our award-winning sugar-sand beaches are world-class, but this experience lets you bask in so much more than endless sunshine.

Explore scenic waterways, dive into MICHELIN Guide-recommended food that is more than a meal, and immerse yourself in the perfect blend of beach town nostalgia brimming with art-lined avenues of energy, excitement and action throughout the year. Shine a little brighter in St. Pete-Clearwater, where sunshine meets substance, and immerse yourself in BEACH. CULTURE.

Discover the adventures that await at VisitSPC.com.

Media Contacts: 
Jason Latimer, [email protected], 727-386-3783
Eddie Delgado, [email protected], 727-415-1337