SmallBusinessNewz

If you are lucky enough to operate a small business in the area where a Super Bowl is being held, the NFL sponsors an "Emerging Business Program", which provides the opportunity for businesses  to get game-related contracts.

The Wall Street Journal cites a study saying "At Super Bowl XLI in Miami last year, 53.7% of local businesses, both big and small, saw an increase in business activity during Super Bowl week compared with the same period in 2006."

"While much of the business is centered around the big game, the program strives to develop business relationships that will continue long after the nation’s largest sporting spectacle moves on to another city creating more opportunities for other small firms," writes Danita Blackwood at SBTV.com.

Next year, the Super Bowl will be played in Tampa Bay, and there is a website where businesses can apply for the Emerging Business Program.

Ok, so what if you don't live in a Super Bowl town? This doesn't mean that you can't use the Super Bowl to somehow impact your business.

America loves football, and the biggest day of the year for that is obviously the Super Bowl.

What better time to offer "Super" specials. This will be a no-brainer for those businesses offering food, liquor and party supplies, but there's no reason why other types of businesses can't take advantage of the event. If you use your head, you can probably figure out a way to tie in football to your business as a marketing ploy.

You can turn on the TV during any game of the season and find multiple ads incorporating football into them. Things like car insurance, batteries...I'm convinced you can tie football into the marketing of  about any product.

Bobette Kyle has an interesting article on lessons that small businesses can learn from Super Bowl Marketing and Advertising.

Mike Banks valentine has had a good jump on covering Super Bowl Ads that have already leaked on the Internet.

I'm sure the rest of them will be online after the game's over, so if you're partying too hard to pay attention while it's on, you'll be able to catch up and get back to business on Monday. Hopefully your employees will show up too.