The mission of the ACBL is to serve the bridge-related interests of its
members and to promote and sustain the game of bridge.
In
This Issue:
* Teachers Earn A+
* Keep Cashing in on CAP
* Star Search
* A Goodwill Gesture
* Print Your Own Posters
* Show Off Your Aces
* You Weren’t Napping!
Teachers signed up 1079 new members during our special ABTA recruitment drive during October, November and December—110 more than during those three months in 2003. As a result, the ACBL is delighted to send the American Bridge Teachers Association a check for $5395. These funds will be used to enhance the summer convention and for other programs. In case that number seems large compared to the numbers we reported earlier, we learned that there was a programming error when we first calculated teacher recruits.
Thank you teachers!
Keep Cashing in on the CAP
The Cooperative Advertising Program rebates will continue in 2005. Our clubs and teachers received $113,834 in advertising rebates during 2004--$48,075 more than the previous year. And they have been very creative! Kathie MacNab of Halifax, Nova Scotia took advantage of free “advertorial” space when she took out an ad in a special section of the Halifax Herald. The paper ran a 16-inch story about the club and bridge(click here to read). Many newspapers have similar arrangements in their special sections (such as a special community section). Be sure to ask about this when you place your ads. If you are not aware of the ACBL’s great CAP benefits, click here!
Star Search
We
are introducing a brand new Star Club Program for 2005 with simple
criteria and some meaningful rewards. You’ll find a letter explaining
the new program, a list of rewards and the application right here.
Or just go to Resources for Club Managers on the ACBL home page. Club
managers were sent this information in their January mailing.
Alert! The “old” Star Club Program will be
honored this year for all of you who applied.
Winners will be posted this month.
A Goodwill Gesture
Remember that 2005 marks the 50th anniversary of the ACBL Goodwill Committee—a reason to celebrate with special goodwill activities in the clubs. Club managers should have received posters announcing the Goodwill Day dates for 2005. The posters list the Top 10 Goodwill Gestures, beginning with “Meet and Greet Your Opponents.”
Print Your Own Posters
Goodwill
and NABC posters now are available online. These are great marketing
tools to help promote and encourage participation in our game.
Click here for downloading and printing instructions.
Show Off Your Aces
The
ACBL will issue press releases for national winners of the masterpoint
races. We also have provided you with a sample release to announce
local winners.
Click here for a copy release.
You Weren’t Napping!
With
lower costs and strong promotion, clubs hosted a whopping 66% more
North American Pairs tables in 2004—with a total of 38,224 for all
local events. Thank you for helping renew the snap, crackle and pop in
this special grass-roots event. Cheer on your district winners during
the final at the Spring NABC in Pittsburgh. And watch for a new
promotional campaign for NAP 2005-06.
Contact Us
We hope you are enjoying ACBL Marketing Matters. We welcome and encourage your comments and suggestions about our services.
You can e-mail us at: marketing@acbl.org
For additional information and services for clubs and teachers,
please contact us toll free at 800-467-1623
or e-mail us at service@acbl.org.
You may also visit www.acbl.org
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All Rights Reserved