Foursquare announced the expansion of its "Ambassador Program", a pilot program the company launched last year that lets users get their favorite venues signed up for the Foursquare’s Specials platform. The program is designed to get more businesses on Foursquare. 

"It’s a pretty simple idea: if you’re passionate about foursquare and want to help get more Specials in your area, let us know," Foursquare’s Eric Friedman tells users on the company blog. "We’ll reach out to creative and excited evangelists who fill out the form, offering them a pack of foursquare Ambassador Cards (custom-printed with your name) to hand out to local businesses. The businesses get details about their foot traffic and loyal customers, and you and your fellow foursquare users will see more Specials at your favorite places."

"If you have been looking for a way to help your favorite local business and get credit for it, this is a great way to get them started," adds Friedman.

Foursquare users can sign up here to become ambassadors and receive their "ambassador packs". Businesses themselves can simply claim their venue here or check out the Fousquare Merchant Community. 

The program should be of great benefit to both users and businesses. Foursquare can provide businesses with new ways to engage customers and get those customers to get their other friends into the store. For users in general, more businesses on Foursquare means potentially more reasons to use Foursquare – getting deals and other rewards that businesses may decide to offer. Sounds like a win-win. 

Earlier this week, Foursquare and Examiner.com entered a partnership to provide tips on local businesses.