Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is giving a boost to small business owners in the U.S. with the launch of the Small Business Road-to-Success Challenge.

10 small business owners will be awarded 15 free nights for the sole purpose of traveling around the country to build their business. After three months of working through their own set business challenges, one small business will be awarded a grand prize of $20,000 by a judging panel that includes me.

To read all the details for participation and nominate your small business (through August 20, 2010) visit www.fairfieldchallenge.com.

The top ten finalists will be announced on September 9, 2010 and will begin the Small Business Road-to-Success Challenge on September 13, 2010.

Over the course of three months, the finalists will share their journey by blogging, tweeting and posting photos as they travel the country. At the end of the Challenge, one winner, judged to have been most successful in achieving his or her business goals, will be selected to receive the $20,000 cash grand prize.

Should be fun to watch this unfold. I know I’ve got a few on the road stories I could tell.

Fairfield Inn and Suites is a sponsor of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast.