Disclosure about the Best of the Northwest Award

Trail Financial Planning is proud to have been awarded the Bronze level award for Best Financial Planner category in the 2023 Best of the Northwest (BNW) voting.  By advertising such an award on our website, it is possible that consumers could view the advertising as a “testimonial,” which is prohibited under WA state laws governing how Registered Investment Advisors may advertise.  Specifically, the relevant code is WAC 460-24A-100. 

The Best of the Northwest Award (BNW Award) is not an indication of the performance of investments recommended by advisors of Trail Financial Planning, or of the performance by advisors of Trail Financial Planning.  Trail FP does not solicit votes from the public or our clients.  The voting process, in brief, is illustrated by the graphic:

Image Courtesy of Bellingham Alive, Oct 2023 issue

Voting Criteria and Process for Best of the Northwest Awards

The Best of the Northwest Awards are managed by “Bellingham Alive” magazine.  Their website is, Bellingham Alive homepage.  Here are a few questions and answers about how the awards are determined:

What is the criteria for making the “Best of the Northwest” awards?

Response from Bellingham Alive: There are no criteria for being “nominated.” It is a write-in system, so we simply put in “Best financial planner,” and they type in who they vote for. 

How, and from whom, are the nominations or votes solicited?

Response from Bellingham Alive: Voting is from July 1st to July 31st and is hosted on our website. Voters are informed via our magazine, email newsletter, and social media. Businesses also promote in-house.

Is this information about the criteria and vote solicitation printed within the Bellingham Alive publication where the winners will be announced?

Response from Bellingham Alive:  We do list all of this in our magazine is printed as follows

Welcome to the Best Of The Northwest 2023 presented by Bellingham Alive Magazine!
Voting is live July 1-31 2023.
CONTEST RULES & INFORMATION:
Each person must enter a valid email address and can only vote once, and must vote in at least 10 categories for their votes to count. Businesses in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan Counties are eligible to win.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Top 3 winners in each category are awarded with Gold, Silver, Or Bronze certificates and will be announced in the feature article of our October Print issue, and in a special e-blast and on social media on Oct 15th.
EMAIL DISCLOSURE
Your email address is collected for Bellingham Alive Magazine contest information and marketing purposes only and is never sold or shared with any 3rd party!

Affirmation from Trail Financial Planning

Trail Financial Planning LLC (“Trail FP”) does not solicit or request any votes from our clients or from the public at large.  Posted by John Chesbrough CFP(R), Chief Compliance Officer at Trail Financial Planning.  Date of affirmation:  4-25-2024.