Fifteen years ago, Lincoln’s Choice Awards started with a simple idea: Let the community decide.
No judges. No backroom conversations. Just the people of Lincoln showing up, voting and celebrating the businesses, people and places that give this city its character and heart.
Fifteen years later, that idea has grown into something truly powerful.
This year alone, you delivered more than 89,000 nominations and 369,000 votes. That’s not just participation. That’s pride. That’s ownership. That’s a community saying, “This is who we are.”
And what you’ve built through the Lincoln’s Choice Awards is more than a list of winners. It’s a guide to the places we trust, the businesses we rely on and the experiences that shape our everyday lives. It’s the Lincoln we know and love — reflected back to us through your voices.
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What makes this 15th year especially meaningful is how we’re choosing to celebrate it.
For the first time, we’re bringing the Lincoln’s Choice Awards to an even bigger stage through our partnership with The Good Life Network. As Nebraska’s premier streaming platform, they are committed to telling local stories in a way that resonates far beyond our city limits. In fact, GLN is beginning to attract attention well outside Nebraska — connecting with former residents and Midwesterners who miss that unmistakable sense of community and authenticity.
That mission aligns perfectly with Lincoln’s Choice Awards.
We’re also elevating the experience this year with someone who knows how to bring both energy and purpose to the stage, DeWayne “D-Wayne” Taylor. Many know him as a dynamic host and master of ceremonies, but what sets him apart is his ability to inspire people to be their best. And that’s exactly what this program represents: businesses, teams and individuals operating at the top of their game, earning the trust and loyalty of this community.
To our nominees: Being recognized by this community matters. It means you’ve made an impact. To our winners: you’ve earned something incredibly valuable: trust.
And to everyone who voted: this is your program. Your voice is what makes it real.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Lincoln’s Choice Awards, presented by Union Bank & Trust. The awards will stream on the GoodLifeNetwork.TV at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. If you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities, call 402-473-7450 or email advertising@journalstar.com.
Fifteen years in, one thing is certain: Lincoln shows up. For its businesses. For its people. For each other.
And we’re just getting started.
