This fall, Mesa-based BestCompaniesAZ will showcase the state's top companies in its 15th anniversary print edition of "100 Best Arizona Companies."

The list, which is available online, recognizes companies in Arizona that are making a positive difference in the lives of their employees and the community, BestCompaniesAZ, an employer branding and award consultation firm, said in a press release.

BestCompaniesAZ said it uses a proprietary research system to evaluate the use of best practices. This system was started in 2002 when BestCompaniesAZ founder and CEO Denise Gredler began promoting great workplaces, the release said.

Categories featured in 2017 list include trailblazers – companies that pioneered and sustained high-level performance for 15 or more years; cool – companies with unique corporate cultures; and stars – companies that are the powerful masters of their specific fields.

The print edition will be available later this year, the release said, or see the list of best companies at  https://bestcompaniesaz./com/100best.