ARLINGTON, Texas – A highly successful community relations initiative and high profile event from Texas Trust CU have won Pinnacle Awards from the Cornerstone Credit Union League. Pinnacle Awards are given to credit unions that demonstrate excellence in credit union marketing, public relations, and business development.
Texas Trust received a Pinnacle Award for its Spirit in Action initiative and its One Million Brighter celebration.
The Spirit in Action program received a Pinnacle Award for Public Relations and Community Involvement. The multi-pronged program was the result of an aggressive effort to build relationships at the administration level with school districts in Texas Trust’s membership area. The primary foundation of the partnerships was the Spirit Debit Reward card, a uniquely designed debit card that pays schools 10 cents for every debit card transaction.
The effort greatly expanded Texas Trust’s membership, and use of the Spirit Debit card allowed Texas Trust to give more than $1 million to local schools for their participation in the program. The program successfully elevated Texas Trust’s visibility in the community, resulting in public recognition and accolades from school administrators and community leaders.
Texas Trust’s One Million Brighter celebration was recognized with a Pinnacle Award as an outstanding special event. It was the credit union’s creative way to celebrate $1 million in giving related to its Spirit in Action program. The One Million Brighter celebration took place at a community-wide event at the University of Texas at Arlington’s College Park Center. It was attended by thousands, including students from each participating school district, parents, and school faculty and administrators.
“The Spirit in Action program and the One Million Brighter celebration embodied the theme of this year’s marketing conference, ‘Imagine. Create. Grow.’” said Alison Wolf, Pinnacle Award committee chair. “Both the program and special event were innovative, creative, and most importantly, generated growth within Texas Trust’s membership, which is everything the Pinnacle Award was created to honor.”
Award winners were recognized at the League’s annual marketing and business development conference. Shelley Carlson, Texas Trust Vice President of Marketing, accepted the award from the Cornerstone League.