HOTEL PIPELINE DATA SHOWS IMPORTANCE OF FULLY FUNDING VISIT FLORIDA

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TALLAHASSEE, FL—Today, VISIT FLORIDA released data indicating strong growth projections for Florida’s hotel industry. As tourism fuels record visitation and out-of-state spending numbers, construction in Florida’s hotel industry will continue to boom through 2020. This growth is directly correlated to VISIT FLORIDA’s strong marketing efforts that have led to record visitation numbers to the state.

According to statistics from Smith Travel Research (STR), a top firm for global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights, the supply of hotels and rooms in Florida has steadily increased over the past six years and is expected to grow at an even faster pace in the coming years.

Since 2012, 107 new hotels were built across Florida, and the number of hotel rooms increased by 115,948. Currently, there are 109 hotels and 14,525 rooms under construction across the state and an additional 307 hotels and 48,103 hotel rooms expected to break ground in the next 12 to 24 months. The expected growth in 2018 will represent a 3.0 percent increase in hotels and a 3.4 percent increase in rooms. This growth is expected to skyrocket in 2020, with an estimated 8.1 percent increase in hotels and 10.9 percent increase in rooms.

Ken Lawson, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said “Florida’s hotels represent the number one spending source for visitors to our state, and today’s numbers from STR show investment in our state’s tourism industry is booming. This growth is a direct result of the success VISIT FLORIDA has had marketing our state and attracting record numbers of visitors. As VISIT FLORIDA continues to market the Sunshine State—and our beautiful hotels—to the rest of the world, it’s crucial that we have the resources to match the investments being made in our state. We will keep fighting for full funding of $100 million to match the huge investments in our hotel industry, create more jobs, and make Florida the number one global destination.”

URBAN EXPOSITIONS/CLARION EVENTS ANNOUNCE NEW “HEALTHY FOOD EXPO” LOS ANGELES AND ORLANDO LAUNCHES FOR 2018; NEW YORK 201

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TRUMBULL, CT, – Urban Expositions/Clarion Events is pleased to unveil HEALTHY FOOD EXPO, a new family of tradeshows and conferences serving the healthy food component of the restaurant and foodservice marketplace.

2018 dates are set for August 18-21 in Los Angeles and September 6-8 in Orlando – to run alongside established events, the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and Coffee Fest (at the Los Angeles Convention Center) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show (at the Orange County Convention Center). The event will debut in New York in 2019 co-located with the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York (March 3-5, 2019 at the Javits Center).

As restaurant and foodservice guests increasingly demand more healthful options, operators need to respond to consumer interest and demand with healthy and sustainable menu items, nutritional information, food safety and preparation techniques. The Healthy Food Expo has been established to serve that demand.

A celebration of healthy food products and ingredients, Healthy Food Expo will include an exhibit hall, conference and education, and special events including culinary demonstrations. The exhibit hall will be comprised of the latest healthy food and beverage products, services and tools.

“The need for a stand-alone event was evident after our 2017 shows as 85% of buyers in attendance were looking to source healthy, natural, gluten free and organic products at the show,” said Tom Loughran, Vice President for the Urban Expositions foodservice event portfolio. “Until now, there has not been a significant food and beverage-exclusive event serving this segment. And launching Healthy Food Expo alongside our existing events brings an already established buying audience who has exhibited interest in healthy food products.”

Healthy Food Expo West in Los Angeles will be anchored by The Avalon Group, the nation’s largest Organic Food Service broker, has secured space for their 50+ partner brands after the success of their participation in the Healthy Food and Beverage Pavilion at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo in 2017. “This is the place to be to introduce organic, fair trade and sustainable products to the food service market”, said Phillip Waring, President. The Avalon Group provides organic, non-GMO, fair trade and gluten free certified brands to the foodservice, vending, c-store and micro market channels. Waring added, “Our brands saw huge interest and success at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, and we are excited to be working with the Urban team to expand the reach of the Healthy Foods Expo and The Avalon Group brands in the Western US.”

Thousands of foodservice professionals, restaurateurs, dietitians, nutritionists and retailers will gather during this three-day trade show and conference to demo and taste the latest products and services from 550+ exhibitors, attend 40+ thought-provoking education sessions and network with 20,000+ industry peers. For additional information, visit www.internationalrestaurantny.com.

The Clarion/UX 2018 Foodservice events calendar includes:

• International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, March 4-6, 2018 at the Javits Center in New York City, sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association.

• Coffee Fest Baltimore, March 16-18, 2018 at the Baltimore Convention Center.• Coffee Fest Denver, June 8-10, 2018 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

• Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, August 19-21, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, sponsored by the California Restaurant Association.

• Healthy Food Expo West, August 19-21, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

• Coffee Fest Los Angeles, August 19-21, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

• Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, September 6-8, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, sponsored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

• Healthy Food Expo Florida, September 6-8, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS

Urban Expositions, now operating as Clarion UX and owned by Clarion Events produces and manages a portfolio of 36 trade and consumer events, serving a range of industry sectors including Gift, Souvenir, Art, Foodservice, Specialty Retail, Gaming, Automotive and Enthusiast Lifestyle, with offices in Kennesaw, GA, Chicago, IL, Trumbull, CT, Portland, OR, and Boca Raton, FL.

ABOUT CLARION EVENTS

Clarion Events operates over 180 events in 50 countries from offices in the UK, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, UAE, and the Netherlands. Clarion can trace its roots back to 1947 and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organizers in the UK. More recently the firm has developed an international portfolio of brands and now has interests in a number of global vertical industries. The teams at Clarion create uniquely effective and stimulating environments that can serve as a platform to build businesses, enhance customer relationships and accelerate product awareness. www.clarionevents.com

An Estimated Four-in-Ten (43%) American Adults Shopped or Dined Small on Small Business Saturday®

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(NEW YORK) – As Small Business Saturday closed out its eighth year on Saturday, November 25th, shoppers provided an encouraging boost to small businesses at the start to the holiday shopping season.

According to data from the 2017 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released today by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express, an estimated 108 million consumers reported shopping or dining at local independently-owned businesses.

“Year after year, Small Business Saturday receives remarkable support from shoppers and communities nationwide,” said Elizabeth Rutledge, executive vice president of Global Advertising and Media at American Express. “In year eight, it’s encouraging to see Small Business Saturday continue to gain momentum as more people recognize the benefits that independently-owned businesses bring to their neighborhoods—and our country as a whole.”

The Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey also found that 70% of U.S consumers are aware of Small Business Saturday.  In addition to support on Main Streets, shoppers turned out for online small businesses – with 35% reporting that they Shopped Small® online on November 25th alone.

The 2017 Small Business Saturday 50-State Survey, also released today by the NFIB and American Express, showed 73% of consumers who reportedly Shopped Small at independently-owned retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday did so with friends or family. The most reported reason for consumers aware of the day to shop and dine at small, independently-owned businesses was to support their community (64%).Further insights from the 2017 Small Business Saturday 50-State Survey include the following:

  • Shoppers made Small Business Saturday an all-day affair, as 58% of those who participated in the day reported shopping or dining at more than one small, independently-owned retailer or restaurant on Small Business Saturday this year.
  • On a national level, nearly half (48%) of consumers who participated in Small Business Saturday reported visiting a small business that they had not previously been to on Small Business Saturday.
  • Relative to the national average, shoppers in Colorado, Hawaii, and Vermont reported pet stores as the type of small business frequented the most; while shoppers in Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York reported visiting a bakery the most; and shoppers in Georgia, Idaho, Texas reported visiting spas, nail salons or hair salons the most.

Full results of the survey and an interactive infographic with state by state breakouts can be found here.

At the local level, Small Business Saturday is fueled each year by grassroots activities organized by Neighborhood Champions— small businesses, business associations, local Chambers of Commerce, and other community organizers that rally their communities to celebrate Small Business Saturday. This year, more than 7,200 Neighborhood Champions (a 7% increase from 2016) across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and some U.S. territories — engaging an estimated 2.2 million small businesses — celebrated Small Business Saturday on November 25th, showing their love and appreciation for small businesses through activities such as shopping passport programs, pop-up holiday markets, sleigh rides and a Shop Small sand sculpture.

Through the Small Business Saturday Coalition, more than 575 organizations helped spread the Shop Small message this year, an 18% increase over last year. The Coalition, led by Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), was created in 2011 to help amplify Small Business Saturday and is comprised of national, state and local associations that help coordinate activities for Small Business Saturday with consumers and small business owners.

“Small Business Saturday has become an incredibly important day for small businesses across the nation,” said NFIB CEO and president Juanita Duggan. “We are very proud to be a part of this program and to be able to show how valuable small businesses are to local communities, whether on Main Street or online. Partnering with American Express is a great honor and we look forward to Small Business Saturday each year.”

Elected Officials across the U.S. Encourage Communities to Shop Small

  • Elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. championed Small Business Saturday.
  • A total of 239 federal officials and agencies showed support for Small Business Saturday through posts on Facebook and Twitter.
  • The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating November 25th, 2017, as Small Business Saturday.
  • 653 city proclamations in support of Small Business Saturday were issued by mayors and other elected officials covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
  • 11 unique public service announcements encouraging the public to Shop Small were recorded by government officials across the nation.

Communities and Supporters Contribute To Success in Year Eight
In addition to the Neighborhood Champion Program and the Small Business Saturday Coalition, corporations, consumers and businesses across the country brought their communities together for Small Business Saturday. For example:

  • American Express enlisted the support of Corporate Supporters to help drive excitement for Small Business Saturday. Nearly 100 companies, including Grubhub, Etsy, Ace Hardware, FTD, Square and Liberty Mutual Insurance came together to promote Small Business Saturday and the Shop Small movement.
  • Small business owners successfully used the Shop Small Studio nearly 105,000 times for customizable and ready-to-use marketing materials and/or merchandise to help promote their businesses on Small Business Saturday, up 23% from 2016. As part of a new pilot program, downloadable marketing materials were offered in Spanish and 15% of Studio visitors requested assets in Spanish.
  • From the first of November through the 25th, there were more than 605,000 social media posts combined on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter about Small Business Saturday and/or the Shop Small Movement, and nearly 177,000 were posted on November 25th alone. Posts included consumers showing-off their favorite small businesses, business owners hosting events with promotions and activities taking place on Small Business Saturday, as well as government officials, celebrities and artists showing their support for the day and their favorite small businesses.

Shop Small All Year Round
The benefits of Small Business Saturday reach beyond just one day.  According to the 2017 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, 84% of consumers who are aware of Small Business Saturday said the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long, not just during the holiday season.3 Consumers can continue to find small businesses in their community by visiting ShopSmallNow.com. In addition to products and services, American Express offers the below resources for small businesses year-round:

  • OPEN Forum® – A platform that combines content and community to deliver advice to small business owners. This is where small business owners come together to help each other get unstuck on issues like expanding their business, marketing and more complex topics like expense management.
  • American Express® Merchant Marketing Corner – An online hub where American Express® Card-accepting merchants have access to free online advertising, Shop Small Map inclusion, signage and marketing materials.

Mark your calendar for Small Business Saturday 2018, which will be celebrated on November 24th!

GET READY FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY®

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As an organization that serves local business owners and customers, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to support Small Business Saturday® this Nov 25.

Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 to help strengthen local economies. Today, it’s a holiday shopping tradition celebrating a greater nationwide movement dedicated to uniting communities and supporting all kinds of small businesses, from the corner store to your favorite diner — because it’s unique small businesses like yours that help local communities stay vibrant.

Participating in Small Business Saturday is a great way to reach new customers and promote your business. Here are some ideas for getting involved on Nov 25

• Let your community know that you plan to participate in Small Business Saturday. Visit ShopSmall.com/YourDay for free promotional assets, like ready-made social posts, to show your support. 

• On Nov 25, transform your store. American Express offers free merchandise, while supplies last, to help your business make an impression. Don’t wait—apply for Small Business Saturday merchandise starting Oct 1 at ShopSmall.com/YourDay. Terms apply. 

• Connect with other organizations in your community to see how you can work together on Small Business Saturday events and promotions.

 

Join us this Nov 25 to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Securing Your Payments Processing

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October marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. migration to EMV smart-chip enabled payment technology. Despite the fact that the migration was accompanied by a card-present fraud liability shift to the party using the least secure technology, Visa reports that only about 2 million U.S. merchants have transitioned to this new level of technology. This leaves nearly 67 percent of U.S. merchants vulnerable, as fraudsters turn their focus to non-EMV enabled businesses.

EMV, which stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa, is the global standard for cards equipped with computer chips and the technology used to authenticate chip-card transactions. EMV cards are embedded with a smart chip that creates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again, improving the payment security for consumers.

How criminals take advantage
According to the Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report, Accommodation and Food Services was “the top industry for Point of Sale intrusions.” While this isn’t a new problem – hotels and restaurants have been plagued by counterfeit, stolen and cloned credit card activity for years – the liability shift has further highlighted the issue.

Criminals prefer magnetic strip cards. When criminals purchase credit card numbers, the data – regardless if it is magstripe only or EMV technology – is loaded on a standard magstripe counterfeit card. If they attempt to use the counterfeit card as an EMV-enabled terminal, the terminal can detect that the card being used has EMV capabilities and the system will prompt the fraudster to “dip” the card instead of swiping. Attempts to process the transaction without “dipping” the EMV enabled card will be declined.

Some fraudsters have been scamming your businesses for years without you knowing about it because, previous to the liability shift, the issuing bank was taking the loss. All the scammer has to do now is call the credit card company after their card is swiped at an old terminal and claim the charges on their chip-enabled card weren’t accurate, leaving you to empty your pockets. While the chargeback amount may not be big, it wouldn’t take many of these false chargebacks to really cut into your profits. Without the ability to accept EMV transactions, business owners are seeing liability shift chargebacks for which there is no defense.

If upgrading to EMV simply isn’t an option for your business, here are a few tips you can use to protect yourself from fraudsters.

• Verify that the last four digits of the card number match the last four digits on the printed receipt
• Compare the signatures on the card and receipt
• Check cards for legitimate features like holograms, logos, CVV/CID/CVV2 and AVS verification, etc.
• Never rerun a card if it declines – for any reason

Comprehensive Coverage
EMV chip technology improves security by providing card authentication. However, the most advanced credit card thieves can rewrite the magstripe, tricking even new EMV chip-reading machines to think the card is chipless when swiped. If you have purchased the EMV card-reading equipment, but are not encrypting transactions as part of your upgrade, your business may still be at risk. While EMV-enabled terminals offer increased security and reduces credit card fraud, you need to employ a comprehensive approach for the best security.

• Tokenization – replacing card data with a “token” protects card data while at rest in your POS system. This is particularly imperative in a hotel environment, where customer data is typically stored for days, weeks or even years. Even if your system is hacked, tokenization makes the data stored in it unusable to cybercriminals.

• End-to-end Encryption – this powerful technology removes card data from the merchant’s network, protecting the data in transit so it cannot be intercepted or monetized.

• Incident Management Program – According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, nearly 50 percent of small businesses fall victim to fraud as some point in their business life cycle. Every business should have a plan in place for how they will handle an incident, should one occur. Containing the breach, responding quickly and communicating appropriately is the best way to prevent reputation damage and stem losses.

Heartland Secure combines EMV, tokenization and end-to-end encryption together to give your business the most comprehensive security solution on the market. We are so confident in our ability to protect credit card data the moment it is used, we offer an unprecedented breach warranty to all merchants who are Heartland Secure and employ Heartland Secure-certified devices for as long as they are processing with Heartland, at no additional cost.

To learn how Heartland Secure could help your business protect against fraud, contact Angela Ihry
at [email protected].

First Quarter of 2017 Sets Florida Visitation Record

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Florida tourism set another record by welcoming the highest number of quarterly visitors in the state’s history with 31.1 million in the first quarter of 2017. This represents a 2.5 percent increase over the same period in 2016. To add to this great news, during the recent special session called by Governor Scott, the Legislature allocated $76 million to fully fund VISIT FLORIDA to continue to market Florida as a premier vacation destination worldwide.

Governor Scott said, “I called a special session to fight for jobs, tourism and education, and I am proud to announce a major win for Florida families. This special session, we’ve increased the per-pupil spending to an all-time high, we’ve established a flexible, transparent economic development program and we’ve fully funded VISIT FLORIDA so we can continue to break visitation records. We know that the most important things to a family are a good-paying job and a great education for their children, and these major investments will help us continue to create opportunities across our state for generations to come.”

VISIT FLORIDA President & CEO Ken Lawson said, “This victory would not have been possible without the help of the Governor, the Legislature and all of our Industry Partners. Thanks to your dedication and support, VISIT FLORIDA is now fully funded and we can continue aggressively marketing our state to visitors around the world. With Governor Scott leading the way, Partners such as Jungle Island, Sawgrass Recreation Park, Medieval Times, ResortQuest and thousands more can continue attracting record numbers of visitors to businesses across the state. I am forever grateful for your hard work.”

Estimates from VISIT FLORIDA show a record 27.1 million domestic visitors traveled to Florida in Q1 2017, reflecting a 3.2 percent increase over the same period last year. Estimates also show that 2.7 million overseas visitors and 1.3 million Canadians came to the Sunshine State in January-March 2017. Total enplanements at Florida’s 18 major airports in Q1 2017 increased 1.6 percent over the same period the previous year, with a record 22.7 million enplaned passengers. For Q1 2017, the number of rooms sold grew by 2.2 percent and the hotel occupancy rate rose 0.7 percent compared to Q1 2016.

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO Carol Dover said, “Florida’s hospitality industry is thrilled our elected leaders coalesced to invest in VISIT FLORIDA. The overall health of Florida’s economy depends on visitors selecting the Sunshine State as their leading destination. With 31.1 million visitors in the first quarter of 2017, this optimal funding builds on the state’s marketing momentum and attracts commerce that benefits local businesses and state revenues.”

Meet VISIT FLORIDA’s New President & CEO Ken Lawson

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For this legislative issue of Florida Restaurant and Lodging Magazine, VISIT FLORIDA would like to introduce you to our new President & CEO Ken Lawson.
 
Ken, who was the unanimous selection of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, assumed his new role on January 11.  A native Floridian and former U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate General, he has spent 12 years serving and protecting the public in numerous regulatory positions, including his most recent work overseeing—among other divisions—restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).  During his six-year tenure with them, he managed a team of 1,600 employees charged with licensing and regulating more than 1 million businesses and professionals throughout the state.
 
In a message to the industry he sent on his first day, Ken outlined his plan for the near term.
 
“In the days to come, I will be meeting with each of my new staff individually to hear their ideas for moving forward successfully.  I will be personally reviewing all aspects of the day to day operations of this great organization to ensure we are fully accountable to the Governor, the Legislature and the taxpayers of Florida in all our endeavors.
 
In the weeks and months ahead, I will be traveling the state to meet with our industry Partners to better understand what they need from VISIT FLORIDA.  I will also be walking the halls of the Florida Capitol to speak directly with legislators about the vital role VISIT FLORIDA plays in growing the state’s economy by increasing tourism revenue.”
 
He concluded by stating, “VISIT FLORIDA and the entire Florida tourism industry have a great deal to be proud of with five years of record visitation, visitor spending and tourism-related employment.  I want to work closely with you all to take that unprecedented growth to the next level.  I value the input and expertise of our industry leaders and Partners, and would be happy to hear from you at [email protected].”
 
Carol Dover, both the President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and a member of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, said “Ken will be a tremendous asset to VISIT FLORIDA and ensures the organization will be well-positioned to continue to play a key role in promoting the state to visitors around the globe.  VISIT FLORIDA needs a CEO with his impeccable capabilities and strong sense of responsibility to the public sector, and I am honored and privileged that he has agreed to take this significant leadership role.”

VISIT FLORIDA Puts the Power of Discovery in the User’s Hands

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VISIT FLORIDA first launched the Florida Beach Finder online search tool in 2014 as a way to showcase the state’s beaches to visitors from around the globe. Here’s how it works: Visitors can “tune” their preferences in four ranges of beach personalities. Looking for action-packed, secluded or maybe somewhere in between? The Florida Beach Finder immediately delivers visual choices that best match users’ desires. With every tweak of the tuner, the options change before their eyes.

Visit Florida Beach Finder

Next, they can “walk” the Florida beaches they love with immersive Street View imagery in Google Maps. In one of the first partnerships of the Street View Trekker Loan Program, VISIT FLORIDA and Google collaborated to train and equip our local teams with their high-tech, 40-pound, backpack-mounted, 360-degree panoramic camera. Over the four months of the project, these teams took nearly 15 million pictures as they trekked Florida’s 825 miles of beaches. The same technology that lets viewers mouse around their city streets and tour monuments now empowers Florida beach lovers to view the sand, sky and shorelines of the beaches they choose to explore – all in 360-degree panorama. To date, the Florida Beach Finder has attracted more than 260 million views on Google and VISITFLORIDA.com.

 

Visit Florida Attractions FinderThe success of the Florida Beach Finder prompted VISIT FLORIDA to create another finder on the TripTuner platform which launched in May – this time featuring the state’s unique and diverse attractions. Similar to the Beach Finder, the Florida Attractions Finder has four separate settings that can be adjusted depending on the user’s vacation preferences: from thrill to chill, popular to hidden gem, high-tech to natural, and days to hours.

The interface then matches the user with an attraction, which could be an internationally recognized theme park or an off-the-beaten path experience. Point-of-view videos send users careening and diving on the newest roller coasters, zip-lining over alligators or skimming the Everglades aboard an airboat. Whether visitors are looking for a first-time Florida experience or wishing to repeat their favorite Florida vacation moment, the Florida Attractions Finder puts the power of discovery in the user’s hands.

The goal of the Finders is two-fold – to give people an immersive and highly-visual sampling of Florida’s diverse offerings and entice them to experience it for themselves by planning the exact vacation they’ve always wanted.

To view for yourself, go to VISITFLORIDA.com/beachfinder and VISITFLORIDA.com/attractionsfinder.

Stay tuned, VISIT FLORIDA hopes to create additional Finders that will showcase Florida’s wide array of dining and lodging options.

Small Business Saturday — Another Record Breaking Year!

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THANK YOU for all your amazing help and support for Small Business Saturday 2016.  The numbers, especially the record number of shoppers, say it all.  By hundreds of us coming together to support small businesses, we achieved amazing results. Congratulations to everyone on an incredible job!   The attached press release provides a more complete summary of the success; however, we thought you would like to see a few of the key results.
 

Small Business Saturday key result: 112 million consumers shop and dine – more than ever before
•As Small Business Saturday wrapped up its seventh year on Saturday, November 26th, the outpouring of support for local businesses across the country hit record highs with 72% of U.S. consumers aware of the day.
•This year, an estimated 112 million consumers reported shopping at small businesses on Small Business Saturday, marking a 13 percent increase from 2015.
•More than 6,700 Neighborhood Champions from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast and from the Pacific Northwest to New England rallied local businesses and created events in their communities for Small Business Saturday — an increase of 63 percent over last year.
•Additionally, the estimated number of small business owners reached through the Neighborhood Champion program was 2.1 million.
•More than 480 organizations joined the Small Business Saturday Coalition, a 13 percent increase over last year.
•Consumers came together to show their love for small businesses on Small Business Saturday. Among those who shopped on the day, 32% reported attending a community event, and 81% reported encouraging friends or family to shop or dine at small, independently-owned retailers and restaurants on the day as well, both on par with 2015.
 

Elected Officials across the U.S. Show Their Support
•President Obama issued a letter recognizing Small Business Saturday in 2016.
•Elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. championed Small Business Saturday.
•A total of 288 Federal Officials and Agencies showed support for Small Business Saturday through posts on Facebook and Twitter.
•The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating November 26th, 2016, as Small Business Saturday.
•651 City proclamations in support of Small Business Saturday were issued by mayors and other elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
•Nine Public Service Announcements encouraging the public to “Shop Small” were recorded by government officials across the nation.
 

Thank you again for your amazing work in making Small Business Saturday a success.   Have a great holiday season and remember to #ShopSmall!

 

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) lends its support to Small Business Saturday® and drives commerce to small businesses

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FRLA proudly supports this year’s Small Business Saturday, taking place on November 26th. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting local small businesses and strengthening and celebrating communities across the country.

 

Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. In 2015, 95 million consumers shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday and spent an estimated $16.2 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on the day, according to the 2015 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey.1 The day was also championed by elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including President Obama.

 

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) recognizes the importance of supporting small businesses, the jobs they help create, and the culture they instill in local communities. According to the U.S. Small Businesses Administration, as of 2014, small businesses nationwide accounted for 63% of net new private-sector jobs created and represented 99.7% of firms with paid employees.2

 

Merchants and consumers can learn more about Small Business Saturday and how to get involved by visiting ShopSmall.com.

 

ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

 

November 26th marks the seventh annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support the small businesses that can create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more customers.

 

1Estimates are based on consumer self-reported data from the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express (November 30, 2015) and do not reflect actual receipts or sales.
2Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy Frequently Asked Questions, March 2014