The Water Street District Business Association is teaming up with Vegas Events and More and the City of Henderson to present “Shop Small Henderson”. The day after Black Friday, since 2010, is known as “Small Business Saturday”. Founded by American Express to promote shopping locally and to support small business in the community, Shop Small Henderson” continues the tradition in the Water Street District.

Shops, restaurants and businesses in the Water Street District of Downtown Henderson are being encouraged by the WSDBA to staff up and be open on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to enjoy the increased number of shoppers visiting the Water Street District.  The goal of the Shop Small Henderson event is to connect businesses with patrons who recognize the benefit of supporting their local merchants.

Last year’s event, in only its second year sponsored by the WSDBA, was wildly successful. Shoppers experienced a high energy event on Water Street celebrating “Shop Small Henderson”. In addition to patronizing local merchants, visitors were able to get a jump on their holiday shopping at over 100 vendors at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street. This year as the Water Street District continues to enjoy a surge of new food and beverage venues and expanded retail offerings, there will be an even wider array of local businesses, artists, crafters, and food vendors to welcome a growing number of visitors.

The event is not exclusive to Water Street businesses. All businesses in Henderson are encouraged to participate. Shop Small Henderson is one of the ways the WSDBA uses to achieve its mission to strengthen and empower our member business owners to aggressively recruit and attract new businesses to the Water Street District, to provide advocacy with the city government and local residents and to make Henderson a Destination of Choice.

Resources

Merchant Information
Video Guidelines
Sponsorship Opportunities
Las Vegas Women's Initiative
Shop Small Henderson 2019 Press Release

Planned Marketing

▪ Posters for all WS merchants
▪ 3+ press releases between 9/20 and 11/20 – distributed to 100+ local and national media outlets
▪ Videos – starring you. Target distribution approximately 11/1.
▪ Collaboration with AmEx Coalition
▪ FREE Shop Small items for your business – when signed up with shopsmall.com
▪ Partnerships with State of NV Business & Industry, Small Business Association, SCORE, HCC, COH, VEaM
▪ Exclusive SSH Sponsorship Options
▪ TV and Radio PSA
▪ Social Media immersion – Facebook,
▪ Digital signage at multiple locations
▪ Street pole banners, flags and other many other banners hung all over town
▪ WSDBA website with specific Shop Small Community event
▪ WSDBA t-shirts for participants
▪ WSDBA posters to hang in your business
▪ WSDBA events focused on the event
o September WOW
o November Rall-E
▪ Outside speaking events promoting Shop Small Henderson
▪ Event information distributed to neighborhood newsletters

History of Small Business Saturday

2010

Small businesses are hurting from an economy in recession. In an effort to support local shops that make our communities strong, American Express launches Small Business Saturday® on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.

2011

One year later, as the Shop Small Movement gains momentum, local officials across the nation take notice and promote Small Business Saturday. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passes a resolution in support of the day and officials in all 50 states participate. It even gets a shout-out from the president of the United States.

2013

In 2013, more than 1,400 individuals and organizations sign up as Neighborhood Champions to rally their communities with events and activities on Small Business Saturday and that number continues to grow. By 2018, there were more than 7,500 Neighborhood Champions across all 50 states. They're not alone. Beginning in 2011, business associations, nonprofit trade groups, municipalities, and public officials started to unite by forming a Small Business Saturday Coalition, encouraging everyone to Shop Small. And nearly 100 corporations lend their official support to the movement.

MAKING AN IMPACT

In 2018, U.S. consumers reported spending a record high of an estimated $17.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday. Over the years, Small Business Saturday spending has now reached a reported estimate of $103 billion since the day began in 2010 — that's $103 billion over 9 days alone.

ALL FOR SMALL

As shopping small catches on in communities everywhere, Small Business Saturday goes from a cause to a day of community celebration. 96% of consumers who reported shopping on Small Business Saturday said the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long, not just during the holiday season.

THE MOVEMENT

Small Business Saturday continues to be an annual holiday shopping tradition — just one part of the larger Shop Small Movement to support small businesses every day and everywhere. Because a visit to the family-owned framing shop or a stop at the neighborhood taco truck not only supports our local economies, but also promotes thriving communities. That's why American Express is proud to back Small Business Saturday and the Shop Small Movement.

2017

WSDBA President Mikel Conrad worked closely with the AmEx Coalition to bring Shop Small to Water Street. He worked with Vegas Events and More and the WSDBA to coordinate efforts along Water Street and at the Plaza. We had just begun.

2018

Vision - WSDBA President Maria Bailey’s vision was to have Water Street lined with blue and white Shop Small balloons showcasing the local merchant’s storefronts, leading everyone to the Events Plaza full of tents with small businesses selling their wares.

Reality - Hundreds of balloons lined the Water Street and it was so exhilarating to see lines of shoppers waiting to enter different merchant’s businesses. Over 100 vendors filled the Events Plaza. Over 450 Shop Small canvas bags were handed out, several tv stations stopped by to kick off the event and to talk to vendors and shoppers. Mayor March was interviewed on CBS radio.

Shop Small Henderson

Shop Small Henderson grows into big deal for businesses

KTNV
CBS News
Las Vegas Review-Journal