National Small Business Week Update: Sam's Club Announces Simplified Small Business Membership; Partnership With U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Plus F

(PRWEB) May 20, 2009 -- This week, Sam's Club launched a series of pro-small business initiatives aimed to help small business owners of all types achieve success. On Monday, the leading small business warehouse club simplified its small business application process, making it easier for solopreneurs, part-time business owners, and home-based businesses to benefit from the Sam's Club Small Business Membership.

Prior to the membership simplification, small business owners had to produce several formal documents to qualify for the small business membership. Under the new guidelines, small business owners can obtain a Sam's Club business membership simply by providing a current business card, letterhead or other documents they may use to promote or manage their business.

"Sam's Club has always been an inclusive club and we're making it easier than ever for small businesses to benefit from the value and convenience we have to offer," said Catherine Corley, vice president, Small Business Insights, Sam's Club. "We believe our new guidelines will particularly appeal to those with home-based businesses, independent direct sales professionals and women- and minority-owned small businesses." Corley announced the changes at the Small Business Administration's Annual Champion Awards Luncheon in Washington, D.C., which also celebrates National Small Business Week.

Sam's Club also announced a joint program with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (http://www.uschamber.com) where its members will receive a $10 gift card and complimentary cost comparison by Sam's Club. Chamber members who join or renew their business membership at Sam's Club will receive the $10 gift card toward a purchase in club or online.

All of this activity comes on the heels of a successful eight-week small business savings drive (http://www2.samsclub.com/smallbusiness?utm_source=NSBW_SMR6_PRW6&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=PR_Web) campaign launched by Sam's Club early last month, where Sam's Club pledged to help 100,000 small business find $270 million in savings via in-person cost comparisons on every-day small business items. Since the start of the Savings Drive, Sam's Club has helped over than 100,000 small businesses identify $164 million in cost savings. Year to date, Sam's Club has worked with over 115,000 small businesses, helping them to realize $233 million of savings overall.

**Sam's Club Free One-Day Membership Pass**

In celebration of National Small Business Week, Sam's Club invites all small business owners to test-drive a club, free of charge. You can find your complimentary one-day membership pass (http://www2.samsclub.com/smallbusiness?utm_source=NSBW_SMR6_PRW6&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=PR_Web) here.

About the Sam's Club Small Business Savings Drive

Sam's Club is offering free cost comparisons for small business as part of its Small Business Savings Drive, where Sam's Club has pledged to help small business find $270 million in savings. Small business owners can find out more at Sam's Club new small business resource site,http://www2.samsclub.com/smallbusiness (http://www2.samsclub.com/smallbusiness?utm_source=NSBW_SMR6_PRW6&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=PR_Web). To request the free cost comparison service for your small business, submit a cost-comparison request, or call1.800.SAMS.CLUB (1.800.726.7258).

To visit your nearest Sam's Club, download your free one-day membership pass(good through May 25th, 2009) and let us know how we can help your small business.

Call

Have questions about how Sam's Club can help your business find savings solutions? Call us!

1.800.SAMS.CLUB (1.800.726.7258)

Click

Surf over to www2.SamsClub.com/smallbusiness (http://www2.samsclub.com/smallbusiness?utm_source=NSBW_SMR6_PRW6&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=PR_Web) to sign up for your personalized cost comparison, download your complimentary one-day membership pass and get great savings advice from small business owners just like yourself!

Visit

Visit your local Sam's Club today to discover your small business savings opportunities!

For more information on Sam's Club Smart Business Savings Solutions

www2.samsclub.com/smallbuisness (http://www2.samsclub.com/smallbusiness?utm_source=NSBW_SMR6_PRW6&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=PR_Web)

Please direct all inquiries to:

Susan Koehler

800-331-0085

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