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While there's often "headline news" around some of the country's biggest corporations, the fact remains that small businesses throughout the U.S. generate about half the nation's economic activity. For that reason alone, setting aside a time when we can both celebrate and acknowledge the impact of small business to the economy makes a great deal of sense.

 April 29th - May 5th is National Small Business Week and it's a great opportunity to reach out to one or more of your area's key small business owners and offer a thank you for what they do to make your business that much stronger.

When Earth Day (April 22) was first established in 1970, it was a rather modest event at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, the result of an initiative by peace activist John McConnell. He tied it to "honoring" the Earth and the concept peace. Clearly, the idea caught on, with more than 193 countries now coordinating Earth Day activities through the Earth Day Network.

But there's still more that can be done to advance the ideals behind Earth Day and marking it might very well include a tangible gesture in the form of a Visa Prepaid Reward Card from National Gift Card.

Employee Appreciation Day may be one of those "unofficial" days of the year, but that doesn't mean it's insignificant.

In fact, the first Friday in March is gaining popularity as an opportunity for companies to thank those who help make their business happen, through their daily work and commitment to the enterprise. It's especially an opportunity for those in leadership or human resources positions to take the time to express appreciation in some form.

It's the day we set aside to demonstrate our love to that "special person" in our lives. But even though Valentine's Day is now behind us, how about showing a little love to the people who help your business grow and prosper?

A gift card from National Gift Card and Lettuce Entertain You, a restaurant group with quite the reach—more than 120 locations in nine states—can be a timely demonstration of just how much an employee means to your organization.

National Gift Card's Eric Thiegs urges the industry to continue offering a balance of gift card products and ways to deliver them.

This year is looking to be a big one for incentive gift card fulfillment company National Gift Card (NGC). Already boasting North America's largest gift card fulfillment facility, with cutting-edge equipment, NGC is now expanding it by an additional 40,000 square feet and bringing in additional automation machines this spring. It is also preparing to launch its new "Plastic API" for clients looking to send both physical and digital gift card orders for more than 500 brands -- in one API connection.