York University’s YU-card was selected as a top award recipient when it was presented with the Marketing Excellence Award this past week at the National Association of Campus Card Users (NACCU) conference in San Francisco.
This was the 23rd annual conference for NACCU, where hundreds of colleges and universities from across North America share innovative ideas, learn about cutting-edge technologies and provide educational sessions demonstrating the successes that campuses have had using their card programs to enhance the student experience.
NACCU is the only association serving the national and international campus card transaction industry and is the one source dedicated to high-quality educational programs, resources, services and tools. Marcy McMillan, marketing and events coordinator for YU-card, Food and Parking Services accepted the award on behalf of York University.
YU-card won the Marketing Excellence Award for the success of its integrated marketing strategy. This included new programs for the 2015 academic year, such as the Faculty and Staff Meal Plan and a coupon booklet which provided residence students with meal plans over $80 in savings at on- and off-campus merchants.
These programs will continue in the upcoming 2016/2017 academic year, with additional enhancements and new initiatives being implemented.
In part, YU-card owes its marketing success to creative ideas and integrated planning with multiple partners within the York University community. With the implementation of these marketing initiatives and other programs, YU-card achieved a 34 per cent increase in card deposits, and processed over 2.3 million debit transactions during 2015/16.
Anthony Barbisan, director of YU-card, Food and Parking Services, will present an educational session on marketing strategies and the success of the YU-card in June at the Canadian Campus Card Conference hosted by Mohawk College in Hamilton.
The York University YU-card was implemented in 2006 to enhance the student experience by integrating the University’s numerous card-based services into a one-card program. In addition to providing access to academic and recreational services, the YU-card serves as the University’s official photo identification and campus debit card and is accepted as payment at hundreds of points of sale across both campuses. The YU-card was also recently integrated with the University’s automated door access control system to enhance safety and security on campus.
To see what else YU-card is doing follow it on Facebook or Twitter @YorkUYUCard.