Meetup with OPEN from American Express®
OPEN® and Small Business
Small Businesses are a clear driver of our economy. They comprise 99.7% of all businesses in the U.S. and generate almost 70% of all new jobs.*
Over the past two decades, American Express has recognized the power in these numbers by dedicating an exclusive team, called OPEN, to serve small businesses—not only with valuable payment products, but also with tools to help them grow their businesses.
Meetup with OPEN
OPEN is now joining with 50 small business-focused Meetups to create “Can't Miss” events—the Meetups you hear about from your friends: inspiring environments, great networking, stimulating conversation, and maybe even a business opportunity or two for you.
Organizers of sponsored Meetups will have room to focus on the “Can't Miss” events while OPEN draws on its resources to deal with the details. OPEN will also provide fun ideas to inspire more focused networking and learning, and ultimately, more ways to grow your business.
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Sponsored Meetups
To check out a sponsored Meetup in your area, click on the Meetups below.
Dallas, TXFort Lauderdale, FLGreenwich, CTHouston, TXLos Angeles, CAMarietta, GANew York, NY
Orange County, CA |
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Orlando, FLPhiladelphia, PASan Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Silicon Valley, CAWashington, DC |
If you aren't in one of these cities, you can always find or start your own Small Business Meetup near you.
Start Growing Your Business Now
Get insights and advice about business by downloading these "How To" Guides and Articles from OPEN.
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OPEN Book
A practical guide for business growth.
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Pitching your business
Here's something you need to use when you're making a sales presentation, seeking financing, networking at an event, or even just chatting with a neighbor.
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Search Engine Marketing
Steps you can take to help improve the chances that qualified prospects can find your business online.
Questions? Contact us at OPENMeetups@aexp.com
The OPEN Organizers' Tool-Kit
From the spark of an idea to post-event follow-up, OPEN's resources will help to make a Meetup to remember:
- How to pull off a “Can't Miss” event: learn from leading experts at a full day Organizers' training
- Preferred access to event locations through the American Express® merchant network and partners
- Monthly e-mails with event ideas—speakers, talking points and presentations to inspire an event; booklets, games and video clips for distribution before and after
- Aids for events including name tags, business cards, signage and icebreakers
- Special product offers and event invitations from OPEN to distribute to Meetup members
FAQs
- What is Meetup? How does it work? Meetup is a way for people interested in small business, or thousands of other topics, to meet others with the same interests in your neighborhood. Find a Meetup near you.
- Why has Meetup & OPEN created this program? We believe in the power of self organized Meetups and want to help you create successful Small Business Meetups!
- Who can participate? 50 Small Business and Entrepreneur Meetups have been invited to participate in this pilot program. You can join a participating Meetup by clicking on their name on the left.
- Why isn't there a Sponsored Meetup near me? Since this is a pilot program, we are starting small and may extend based on the success of the program. If there isn't a sponsored Meetup near you, you can always join or start a Small Business Meetup that is.
- When does the program start/end? October 2007-September 2008
- How will I know what the Meetups are doing? We'll list the Meetups here so you can check them out.
- What's the catch? There's no catch or cost! We do ask organizers to have a desire to grow their Meetups, and participants to have a desire to be a part of something great.
- How can I learn about OPEN's products and resources? Visit us at www.openforum.com, or to apply for a product call 1-800-NOW-OPEN.