Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010, its celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. According to their website, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help businesses with their most pressing need — getting more customers. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before. This year, the big day is November 29.
What does this have to do with doing business in the Vail Valley?
Based on definitions from the Small Business Association (SBA defines a small business as, “one that is independently owned and operated, is organized for profit, and is not dominant in its field” based on revenues or employee base), almost every business in our valley is a small business. Small businesses are operated by our friends and neighbors and these small businesses help make our community strong.
We are fortunate here in the Vail Valley to be filled with small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and their employees are the heart of our community. Small Business Saturday is a big way to support these small businesses, and Vail Valley Partnership is proud to be able to help. We are thrilled to have been selected by American Express as a neighborhood champion. In our case, the neighborhood consists of the entire Vail Valley.
Small Business Saturday is in perfect alignment with our mission to take the leadership role to create and manage collaborative programs that encourage economic development and result in increased destination tourism in Eagle County. Consider Small Business Saturday as a way to support your neighbors and avoid the mayhem that is Black Friday and the rush to shop at large e-commerce stores on Cyber Monday.
American Express will support Small Business Saturday with national advertising and public relations highlighting the importance of supporting small businesses and driving consumers to shop at small businesses on November 29.
Starting in mid-October, Vail Valley Partnership staff members be visiting our small business members throughout the valley to deliver Small Business Saturday event materials and marketing tools including Shop Small® branded merchandise to help our community celebrate the day and to help participating businesses stand out. Many of the marketing materials and promotional materials were developed and produced by a small business located right here in Eagle County: Say No More Promotions. Businesses are also welcome to stop by Vail Valley Partnership’s office at Traer Creek Plaza in Avon to pick up materials.
Black Friday is for the big box stores and shopping malls. Cyber Monday is for the huge on-line retailers. Small Business Saturday is for the local community and local businesses. This year, consider focusing some of your shopping efforts and dollars on Small Business Saturday. I have confidence that our Vail Valley business community will give you plenty of reason to support our local small businesses.
Contact the Partnership at 970-476-1000 or email Lorrie at lorrie@visitvailvalley.com with questions or to schedule a visit for us to drop off your Small Business Saturday promotional materials.
Speaking of small businesses success, we’re fortunate in this valley to have a number of membership-based organizations dedicated to small business tools and resources.
Don’t forget to join us at our All-Chamber Mixer (hosted by Vail Valley Partnership, Gypsum Chamber of Commerce, Eagle Chamber of Commerce, Eagle Valley Homebuilders Association, Vail Board of Realtors, Avon Business Association, EagleVail Business Association, Minturn/Red Cliff Business Association, Vail Chamber & Business Association). These organizations work hard to support the small business community and provide services to their members. We are happy to convene groups like these at the All-Chamber Mixer at Eagle County Regional Airport on Tuesday, October 28 from 5-7 pm.
Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership.