Destination DC Joins American Express in Support of Small Business Saturday

Consumers Inspired to Think and Shop Small on November 24, 2012

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Destination DC today announces its participation in this year's Small Business Saturday, November 24, 2012. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting local, independently-owned small businesses.

Destination DC recognizes the importance of supporting independent businesses in Washington, DC, the jobs they help create and the culture they instill in our neighborhoods. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses nationwide have accounted for 65% of net new jobs over the past 17 years in the United States, and represents 99.7% of all employer firms.  

American Express, founding partner of Small Business Saturday, is preparing for the third annual initiative. In 2011, millions of consumers shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday.

"Destination DC is a membership organization charged with promoting the city's hospitality assets, including the independent retailers that make our neighborhoods must-shop stops for locals and visitors," said Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. "The opportunity to marry unique DC-based businesses with Small Business Saturday, a nationally-focused incentive that rewards consumers as well as small business owners, is unmatched."

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Robin McClain, Destination DC
202-789-7099
[email protected]

Scott Krugman, American Express
212-640-3244
[email protected]

Alex Della Rocca, M Booth & Associates, Inc
212-539-3203
[email protected]

About Destination DC

Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 800 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.

About American Express OPEN

American Express OPEN is the leading payment card issuer for small businesses in the United States and supports business owners with products and services to help them run and grow their businesses. This includes business charge and credit cards that deliver purchasing power, flexibility, rewards, savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners and online tools and services designed to help improve profitability. Learn more at OPEN.com and connect with us at Openforum.com; facebook.com/Open; smallbusinesssaturday.com; twitter.com/OPENforum; Twitter.com/shopsmall and Linkedin.com/company/American_express_open. 

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.

About Small Business Saturday

November 24th marks the third annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.  Small Business Saturday (SBS) was created in 2010 in response to small business owners' most pressing need: more customers. More than 2.7 million Facebook users, 230 public and private organizations, 75 corporations and elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. declared their support for Small Business Saturday last year. More than 500,000 small businesses owners leveraged an online tool or promotional materials for SBS. Fifteen thousand businesses signed up for free Facebook to promote their products and services in the run up to SBS. American Express is the founding partner of Small Business Saturday.

SOURCE Destination DC