Our quilt shows local are always Viewer's Choice. I am in charge of two of the shows. In fact one is this weekend. Free admission, no fees to enter a quilt. We have lots of quilts entered. It's a happy stress free show. The guild's semi annual quilt show is paid admission with a fee to enter and quilts are judged. Not that many enter. Just looking at the winner the judges pick always brings feedback of Why was that one chosen? It's not as pretty as this one. Many get their feelings hurt. The only critical feedback I hear about workmanship is from other quilters! The guild's show is mainly a competition between the members. LOL
I have won several Viewer's Choice awards and they mean more to me then any judge's ribbon.