Airline CU Marketing Conference forms `alliance of ideas'

CHICAGO – History has recently been made as United Airlines Employees’ Credit Union hosted the inaugural, free Airline Credit Union Marketing Conference October 9-11. In a first, marketing representatives from six airline credit unions- American Airlines Federal Credit Union, Delta Employees Credit Union, NWA Federal Credit Union, Piedmont Aviation Credit Union, US Airways Federal Credit Union and UAECU- came together to share ideas and discuss challenges. “This is something we’ve been aspiring to do for a few years,” said Jennifer Divelbiss, UAECU marketing manager and conference founder/ coordinator. “Now, with all of the challenges facing our sponsoring airlines along with the rapid technological changes in the financial industry, we felt the time was right to form an alliance of ideas.” Invited conference speakers included: CUNA Mutual Group Midwest Marketing Division Business Consultant Nancy Sterner-Creative team building/icebreaker exercises; Task Force for Automotive Issues Consumer Advocate/President Remar Sutton-Value of member education programs; CUNA Mutual Group Midwest Marketing Division Senior Marketing Consultant Doreen Burton- Strategies on creating and implementing a segmented database; and Raddon Financial Group Vice President of Research Bill Handel-Identifying strategic and tactical marketing opportunities. In addition, creative marketing pieces and promotions were showcased on the conference “Wall of Fame” while attendees voted for the “Best of Show”. According to Divelbiss, each department discussed their promotional results and shared what worked well, what didn’t and why. Top honors went to the NWA Federal Credit Union marketing department, for its efforts to strengthen its credit union’s brand identity using new and more consistent design concepts. Sponsors, such as CUNA Mutual Group, Members Advantage, InterContinental Warranty Services, Inc., Lincoln Services Mortgage, Proficient Data and Liberty Mutual Group, provided complimentary breakfasts, lunches and dinners.