2017 Shop Small Contest

​Everyone has that special small business that they turn to time and time again for quality services and products they trust. Maybe your small business is one of them—and now is your chance to get some well-deserved recognition.

Win the 2017 Shop Small Contest
Valpak and American Express are inviting consumers to tell us all about the small businesses they can’t live without, what brought them together, and why they choose to Shop Small®.  Oh, and there’s something in it for both of you!

If one of your customers submits a nomination for your business, you could win a $5,000 American Express Gift Card and a free 12-month Valpak marketing campaign. Even if you don’t win the top prize, you could still be one of three winners to receive a $1,000 American Express Gift Card and a free 3-month Valpak marketing campaign. Plus, your customer could win an American Express Gift Card for up to $5,000, too!

Spread the Word

1. Promote your business on specially branded print ads within the Valpak envelope and on Valpak.com to reach more customers.
2. Download, print, and post your free Shop Small® Contest promotional marketing materials in your restaurant or store.
3. Inform your customers about the 2017 Shop Small® Contest and let them know they could also win an American Express Gift Card if your business is chosen.
4. Share the contest on your social media channels and in your blog.
5. Include information about the contest in your email newsletter and invite your customers to nominate you. Be sure to share the link to the entry page, too.
6. Continue doing a great job operating your small business.
7. Keep your fingers crossed.

Dates to Remember
The nomination period begins January 30, 2017, and ends April 15, 2017. Winners will be publicly announced on May 1, 2017.

How the Shop Small Contest works:

• All entries will be reviewed by representatives from Valpak and American Express.

• Finalists will be scored on the following:
  • Compelling nature of the story about what make this business special: 50%
  • Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and passion about the business: 25%
  • Overall impression: 15%
  • Positive impact on the community: 10%

• The business with the highest cumulative score will be the designated winner of a $5,000 American Express Gift Card and a 12-month Valpak marketing campaign.
• Three additional nominees scoring the highest cumulative scores will receive a secondary prize of a $1,000 American Express Gift Card and a 3-month Valpak marketing campaign.
• The entrant who nominated the grand prizewinner will receive a $5,000 American Express Gift Card. All three entrants with winning secondary nominees will receive a $1,000 American Express Gift Card.

It’s a Win-Win-Win
Valpak will announce and promote the 2017 Shop Small® Contest on the Valpak Blue Envelope® mailed to over 35 million people through their website, social media, press releases, print, and blogs.
The kicker? Winners will be announced on a national level, which means you could gain the exposure you only ever dreamed of before.

Go ahead. Take a chance. There has to be a winner and it may as well be you.
Contact your local Valpak representative to discuss participating in this campaign.
If you are not yet an American Express merchant, you could find a rate that’s right for your business.  Learn more at OptBlue.com.
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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Void where prohibited. Promotion is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who are eighteen (18) years of age or older, or the age of majority in their state of residence, whichever is older at the time of entry and eligible small business nominees.  Promotion begins January 20, 2017, and ends April 15, 2017. ARV of all prizes awarded in the promotion is $44,200. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received and skill of the entrants. See official rules for additional small business eligibility requirements, entry instructions, judging criteria and other important details. Sponsored by Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc., 805 Executive Center Drive W., St Petersburg, FL 33702.