FACEBOOK OPENS REGISTRATION FOR NEW ORLEANS COMMUNITY BOOST

Press Release —
July 18, 2018
D. Johnson
Edited by Leonard "Lenny" Vasbinder
July 19, 2018

In November of last year, Facebook announced the launch of a new program to invest in small businesses across the country. The program, Community Boost, is designed to help small businesses grow and to give more people the digital skills they need to compete in the new economy. Facebook Community Boost will be visiting 30 cities this year and will be in New Orleans from August 7 to 9.

Today, we are announcing that registration is open for anyone who wants to come to Community Boost which kicks off on August 7 at River City Venues, 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans, LA 70130. You can learn more about the event and register here: www.facebook.com/business/m/community-boost/neworleans

Why Louisiana? When Facebook heard that Louisiana wanted more digital skills training, it became a driving force behind why it was chosen to host Community Boost. A survey by Morning Consult of small businesses in Louisiana found:

Demand for digital skills: When we spoke to the Louisiana small business community about what are important factors when hiring employees, more than 8 in 10 (84%) said an individual's digital skills were important. When asked about where a candidate went to school, 6 in 10 (63%) said that was a factor. We're seeing in city after city that the future of work is changing and we know that companies like us have a role to play.

Value of social media: Louisiana small businesses also see social media as critical to their success. For example, nearly 7 in 10 (67%) small business workers in this state said that Facebook is important to running their business.
Growing with social media: The Louisiana small business community knows Facebook is essential to growing their businesses. More than 5 in 10 (52%) small businesses on Facebook say that it has helped them hire additional employees. More than 7 in 10 (75%) say that Facebook allows them to reach more customers outside their cities, states, and countries.