Bank Clubs Network in Iowa at Heritage Clubs Annual Conference
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s America’s oldest bank marketing organization, Heritage Clubs International provides targeted marketing solutions for community banks interested in building new relationships, solidifying existing relationships and building core deposits, the cornerstone on which banks are funded. Asked what sets Heritage Clubs apart, Laura Kammarmeyer of First State Bank in Manchester, Ia. remarked, “I would say the networking. There are four competing banks in my town that have clubs. Working with Heritage members allows us to offer trips that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to. We just had three banks combine on one trip and whereas we would normally get 14 and have to cancel, we are able to run the trip.” Kitty Nash of Home State Bank in Crystal Lake, Ill. agrees. “From the day we started with Heritage Clubs, because of the training we could start in the middle instead of the beginning. They helped us compete in the marketplace from day one.”
Bankers and Travel Service Providers network during the open trade show. 22 June 2011
Nash continued, “The sharing of information is good. We recently started a tiered membership at the bank and we were able to talk to other banks and so we had an idea of how it was going to work, and we could tailor our plan to our own customers – it saved a lot of time.” Once a year, members gather for the Heritage Peer Group Conference. This year’s event, held in Dubuque, Ia., drew close to 180 attendees. George Aker, president of Heritage Clubs, likes the central location for its members. “We feel it’s important for our Mid-
work and get things done. Remarked Kammarmeyer, “We learn a lot from the PTO’s and destinations which helps us understand what is new. Their presentations and meetings show what’s new and what we should be focusing on.” Nash relishes the opportunity to sit down and conduct business with the organization’s eight preferred tour operators and dozens of suppliers during the trade show. “One of the reasons it’s so valuable is that we come back with our trips planned. We come there with
It’s the only program on the planet that’s continuing education for bank club directors western clubs to have good destination cities. This city has a lot to offer.” Indeed it has. Over $400 million has been invested in the community in the past decade. This includes the 2003 introduction of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, a major expansion at the Diamond Jo Casino, a new water park and the return of an iconic hotel with a history as rich as the Mississippi itself, the Hotel Julien. Site of this year’s conference, the Hotel Julien has been in operation since 1915. Reopened in September 2010 after extensive renovations, the luxury boutique hotel boasts a $236-million renovation, including extensive reworking of the lobby and grand ballroom to exact replicas of how they appeared in 1915. The conference is the place for members to acquire knowledge, net-
a five-year plan and look to fill slots – we will actually get trips planned to the letter at the show.” But it’s the education that really sets this show apart. Continues Nash, “It’s the only program on the planet that’s continuing education for bank club directors. Every other position in the bank has continuing education – this is the one opportunity for us to get banking information, marketing information and travel information in one place. It’s a font of knowledge and great resource.” With a loyal conference following, superior networking opportunities for members and a healthy dose of educational sessions to keeps banks at the forefront of market trends, Heritage Clubs is working hard to ensure the ongoing success of bank clubs. (www.HeritageClubs.com) LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com