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Small business owners have to juggle a lot of hats, especially amid coronavirus. To help you navigate these challenging times, American Express is moving its Business Class LIVE: Summit for Success online.
The event takes place next Tuesday, October 20 and has over 35 virtual sessions hosted by a variety of speakers including Shaquille O’Neal and executives from Dell, Amazon, Google, Netflix and more. The events aim to support small business owners through networking, resources and tools. Plus it’s completely free to attend, regardless if you’re an Amex card member or not.
If you’re interested in attending the summit, you must register by October 18.
Here’s what to expect from the ninth-annual Business Class LIVE: Summit for Success, plus how a small business credit card can help you manage business expenses.
Business Class LIVE: Summit for Success
The ninth-annual Business Class LIVE: Summit for Success aims to address the concerns of business owners that were uncovered in a recent survey and expand on Amex’s mission to help businesses do more business, Clayton Ruebensaal, EVP of Global B2B Marketing at American Express, tells CNBC Select.
Business owners stated that the top three resources they would find most helpful in navigating these unprecedented times are virtual business conferences/webinars (47%), virtual networking events (44%) and advice/resources about leading through a crisis (44%), according to the recent American Express Business Resiliency Survey.
The Summit’s goal is to provide resources that can help businesses grow, hire more people, increase sales and expand into new lines of business. Ruebensaal says that this virtual event balances three themes — education, social and entertainment — to make the information resonate with business owners.
In order to shift this event from in-person to digital, American Express built a fully immersive Amex Virtual Campus that attendees can explore. The virtual campus includes an auditorium, rooftop and lounge that host sessions throughout the day.
Sessions are broken up into one of four tracks:
- Good for Business: Tools to help grow and operate a business.
- Good for People: Tools to help stay balanced, inspired and motivated to fuel success.
- Good for Community: Workshops and tips on building a cross-cultural business community.
- Business Stories: Hear how business owners have pivoted, the lessons learned and tips to unleash growth potential.
Some events you can expect include a keynote round table with Shaquille O’Neal, Venus Williams and Anna Marrs, President of Global Commercial Services at Amex. Plus sessions addressing the needs of women- and black-owned businesses, as well as challenges faced by LGBTQ+- and Latino-owned businesses.
Perks of using a small business credit card
Opening a small business credit card is a great way to streamline day-to-day business expenses while also benefiting from perks like rewards and discounts at merchants.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1X point per dollar.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Rewards
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1X point per dollar
Welcome bonus
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening
Regular APR
18.49% - 26.49% variable; APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
2.7%
Credit needed
Excellent
See rates and fees, terms apply.
And since it’s important to separate personal and business expenses for tax reasons, a business card can help you designate between the two. Plus you can manage employee spending by adding your employees to your business card account. This takes the hassle out of reimbursing employees for business spending on their personal card and can make expense management easier.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has no annual fee and doesn’t charge for employee cards (see rates and fees). Meanwhile The American Express® Business Gold Card has a $375, and charges a $50 annual fee for the first card and then no annual fee for up to 99 additional cards (see rates and fees).
American Express® Business Gold Card
Rewards
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap. 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
Welcome bonus
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership
Annual fee
$375
Intro APR
Not applicable
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Don’t miss:
For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
