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Hiway Federal Credit Union delights fans with its automated prize machine.
In a novel twist on the ATM, $1.1 billion Hiway Federal Credit Union’s “Automated Prize Machine” dispenses tickets redeemable for autographed jerseys, hockey pucks and credit union logo swag at Minnesota Wild home games.
Hockey fans ages 16 and up are invited to stop by the Hiway FCU booth/prize table in the Wild concourse to register with their name and email address. They receive a promotional card printed on heavy-stock cardboard that they can swipe at the colorful prize machine, which resembles an oversized ATM.
The APM’s random generator doles out receipts for 300 prizes at each game, including the top prize jersey and five autographed hockey pucks, discount coupons at Hockey Lodge, cobranded Hiway/Wild hats, can koozies and openers, and cloth bags. The St. Paul credit union also distributes hockey pencils and foam pucks to younger fans.
As the official credit union of the professional hockey team, Hiway FCU promotes its Minnesota Wild Free Checking Account, which includes a customized debit card, credit card and checks, at its booth and APM. Benefits for account holders include Hockey Lodge discounts and entries for monthly prize drawings. The credit union promotes the checking account, credit card and Wild Youth Savings accounts along with its involvement in the community organization Hockey Kids4Kids in follow-up emails to Wild fans.
Dave Boden, president/CEO of Hiway FCU, says the APM has been “immensely popular.”
“It’s a great way for our credit union staff to engage with current and prospective customers and enhance the experience of attending a Minnesota Wild game,” Boden says.
Hiway FCU contracted with Star Exhibits and Environments, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, to build the APM.
Karen Bankston is a long-time contributor to Credit Union Management and writes about membership growth, operations, technology and governance. She is the proprietor of Precision Prose, Eugene, Oregon.
