Calendar of Events
This annual planning calendar is designed specifically for bank and credit union marketing professionals. It includes holidays, conferences, webinars, planning reminders and other date-driven items of note.
All dates and events are based in North America (primarily the United States) unless otherwise noted.
January
2013
Planning Notes: Remember to update the year on all your documents and © notices (website, forms, etc.). The beginning of the year is a good time to work on scholarship awards. If you start planning a March Madness promotion, just don’t use the trademarks “March Madness,” “Sweet 16″ or “Final Four” or you’ll get in big trouble. Valentine’s Day and President’s Day are next month.
January 1 (Tuesday) – New Years Day
Bank holiday.
January 10 – Technology for Compliance: Paperless Document Management
Compliance is a headache. Regulation D, E, P, C, B, Z, DD, CC; BSA, AML, OFAC, etc etc. The last thing you want to do is waste time, and money, running after paper documentation to satisfy the regulators. And with omens of increased oversight, it’s more important than ever to make sure your institution has an efficient, scalable, and rational system of document management. Join Jeff Kukesh, product manager at Andera, to learn how your institution can leverage technology to simplify compliance.
January 15 – Oscar Award nominees announced
January 17 – A Conversation on Marketing Best Practices
Join Laurie Mclachlan, VP Marketing at Andera, for a conversation on best practices in mulitchannel marketing with representatives from some of Andera’s bank and credit union clients. Cost: Free.
January 21 (Monday) – Martin Luther King Day
US bank holiday.
January 31 – Serving the Underbanked: Prepaid Cards and Alternative Data
The FDIC reports 20.1% of US households are underbanked and 8.2% of US households are unbanked, raising questions for small and mid-sized banks and credit unions: What exactly is a prepaid card? Who should apply for a prepaid card? What would my institution need to do to offer them? Join Patrice Peyret, the founder and CEO of Plastyc, and Jamie Verdi from Andera as they discuss how using alternative data in online identity verification processes can help financial institutions approve applicants who qualify for traditional products but have thin credit files, often women, recent immigrants, and youth. Cost: Free.
February 2013
Planning Notes: If you want to attend CUNA’s marketing conference next month, be sure you’ve made the proper arrangements.
February 2 – Groundhog Day
February 3 – Superbowl Sunday
February 5-6 – Loyalty in Banking & Financial Services 2013
Attendees to this conference will learn how to build a cohesive, all-encompassing, cross-channel, customer loyalty strategy. Event scheduled to be held in NYC.
February 12 – Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday
February 12-13 – Finovate Europe
Finovate returns to London with an expanded two-day event — a showcase of cutting-edge financial and banking technology innovations from leading established companies and hot new startups.
February 14 (Thursday) – Valentine’s Day
February 17-20 – ABA National Conference for Community Bankers
Held at the JW Marriott Orlando at Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida.
February 18 (Monday) – Presidents’ Day
US bank holiday.
February 18 – Family Day (Canada)
February 24 – Oscar Award ceremony
February 24-28 – CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC)
The biggest annual credit union event in the world. Held at the Washington Convention Center in D.C. Network with peers, hear from key legislative and political leaders, and experience a variety of breakout sessions on issues most critical to credit unions. Learn how to effectively deliver the credit union message, communicate with the media, and get the most from Capitol Hill.
March 2013
Planning Notes: This is traditionally when financial marketers in the US and Canada start thinking about summertime home equity loan/line promotions. Consumers will be thinking about home improvement projects, so consider incorporating giveaways like barbeque grills and Home Depot gift cards into your promotions.
March 10 – Daylight Savings Time begins
Roll those clocks forward.
March 11-15 – ICBA National Convention
March 13-15
Best Practices in Retail Financial Services Symposium
Learn best practices in retail banking delivered from the industry’s newsmakers and innovators at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, California. Use code RETFB300 to save $300.
March 17 (Sunday) – St. Patrick’s Day
March 18-19 – Bank Innovation
Bank Innovation 2013 will explore the future of the customer experience in banking. The advancement of multi-channel banking has meant that banks must redouble their efforts to deliver seamless and superlative customer experience. Banks must think more comprehensively about their banking channels and how they can better-position their products and brands for success. At Bank Innovation 2013, we will explore just how that is done — and can be improved. Cost of event: $845.00.
March 24-27 – CUNA Marketing & Business Dev. Council Conference
One of the two largest credit union marketing conferences in North America, this one is exclusive to CU employees only. Held in Anaheim, California.
March 29 - Good Friday
UK bank holiday.
March 31 – Easter Sunday
April 2013
Planning Notes: Graduation is coming up in a few weeks. Mother’s Day and Memorial Day are next month. April is Community Banking Month. As summer draws nearer, think about incorporating free gas into your promotions, as people will be taking more road trips and fuel prices are usually on the rise.
April 1- Easter (observed)
Bank holiday.
April 1 – April Fool’s Day
Banks and credit unions should generally avoid pulling April Fool’s pranks. Please exercise restraint.
April 7-12 – CUES CEO Institute I: Strategic Planning
Attend this event, held at the University of Pennsylvania, and learn to turn challenges into change. Faculty at the prestigious Wharton School will delve into how executives can improve strategic planning by embracing uncertainty, rather than ignoring it. Learn how change can positively affect your organization.
April 18-19 – MarketMatch MarketingForum
Interact with marketers from around the country, hear tactical and actionable ideas and jump-start your bank or credit union in in Cincinnati, Ohio.
April 21-26 – CEO Institute II: Organizational Effectiveness
Effective change-management skills are needed for even the most thought-out plan. During the second week of CEO Institute, CEO Institute II: Organizational Effectiveness, April 21-26, 2013 Johnson at Cornell University, you’ll be challenged to reach beyond your specific areas of expertise and include every level of executive management in your credit union’s planning process.
April 22 – Earth Day
April 29-30 – CUES School of Product and Channel Management
Prepare for the tumultuous new world of managing retail financial services through the lessons you’ll learn at the CUES School of Product and Channel Management. Led by leading industry experts from Cornerstone Advisors, you’ll take home a customized tool kit which will help you build your credit union’s own Delivery Channel Assessment and Future Road Map. Held in Chicago.
May 2013
Planning Notes: Promotions for the 4th of July should be underway (“Declare Your Financial Independence”). Father’s Day is next month.
May 2-3 – 3D Brand Seminar for Retail Banks & Credit Unions
Branches are being re-engineered within an omni-channel delivery environment to drive advancements in branch design, branding, messaging, operations, and the customer and staff experience. This educational event will advance your understanding of how branches are changing the face, competitive position, and ROI of savvy FIs across the nation. Become a catalyst for change in your organization and learn how to develop a high performance branch business model and drive a powerful brand experience. Reserve a spot today! Space is limited. Cost of Event: $485.
May 5 (Sunday) – Cinco de Mayo
May 5-10 – CEO Institute III: Strategic Leadership Development
The third and final week of CEO Institute, CEO Institute III: Strategic Leadership Development, May 5-10, at the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business, represents the highest point in your professional leadership development. You’ll uncover the reasons why you lead the way you do, and learn new ways to become a more effective leader.
May 12 – Mother’s Day
May 18 – Armed Forces Day
May 20 – Victoria Day (Canada)
May 27 (Monday) – Memorial Day
US bank holiday.
May 27 – Spring Bank Holiday (UK)
May 27 – 29 – MACU Strategic Marketing Conference
The Marketing Association for Credit Union’s 23rd annual Strategic Marketing Conference and AIME Gala Dinner will be held in Whistler, British Columbia Canada May 27 – 29. This conference provides attendees with three days of networking and educational sessions which assist credit union marketers and suppliers to the industry with their day to day business operations. MACU is also offering a brand tour, supplier trade show and an after party to celebrate the Achievement in Marketing Excellence award winners. Cost of event is $930 if registering before April 1. You can request more information on this event via email.
May 29-30 – Digital Marketing for Financial Services
Designed for financial marketing executives, experts will share progressive tools and solutions for driving revenue by activating your digital brand. Attendees will learn how to evolve the customer-brand connection and construct a roadmap for long-term brand that conveys trust, forges relationships, and grows loyalty. This summit will enable you to enrich user experience, showing you how to execute systematic client-centric improvements across channels and business silos. Cost of event: $1,895. More details.
June 2013
June 16 – Father’s Day
June 19-26 – ABA School of Bank Marketing & Management
The ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management is the only national school of its kind for bank marketers. Learn from a faculty of industry experts and practitioners. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in marketing principles and management practices. Held in Atlanta, Georgia.
June 20 – Summer Solstice
July 2013
July 1 – Canada Day
July 4 (Thursday)- Independence Day
US bank holiday.
August 2013
August 5 – August Civic Holiday (Canada)
August 26 – Summer Bank Holiday (UK)
September 2013
Planning Notes: You’ll want to start planning for your Christmas/Holiday campaign(s) this month, especially for those interested in a Black Friday or Cyber Monday promotion. Halloween is next month if you want to do something fun. Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are also right around the corner.
September 2 (Monday) - Labor Day
US and Canadian bank holiday.
September 8 (Sunday) – NFL football season officially gets underway.
Sept 9-11 – CUES School of Strategic Marketing
Designed for credit union marketing executives, attendees learn the keys to strategy-focused marketing and data-driven decision making. Experienced industry thought-leaders will guide attendees in discussions of:
- Aligning credit union culture and brand experience
- Evaluating demographics, channel usage, purchase patterns, and product usage and profitability
- Adapting to the shifting role of the in-house marketing department
- Results-driven profit marketing—the new norm
Effective marketing communicates your credit union’s value, improves member experience, and drives growth and profitability. Held in Seattle. Reserve your space today!
Sept 9-12 – CUES School of Applied Strategic Management
CUES School of Applied Strategic Management offers a unique opportunity to test your decision-making abilities in a safe environment using the computer-based simulation program Strategic Management of Financial Institutions, pioneered by John Oliver of Laurel Management Systems, Inc. You’ll run a virtual financial institution to develop a practical understanding of asset/liability management and improve strategically based decision-making. Held at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Seattle.
September 19 – International Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 22-24 – ABA Marketing Conference
Held in the Grand Hyatt at San Antonio, Texas.
October 2013
Planning Notes: Work should be underway if you plan to offer special deals during the upcoming holiday season (i.e., December), on Black Friday (Nov. 23), or Cyber Monday (Nov. 26). Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are next month. The holidays are a good time to consider a “no payments for XX days/months” or a “skip-a-payment” promotion.
October 6-9 – Money2020
An annual event for emerging payments and financial services. Held at the Aria Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas.
October 14 (Monday) – Columbus Day
US bank holiday.
October 14 – Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
October 31 (Thursday) – Halloween
November 2013
Planning Notes: The start of the new year is right around the corner, which is always a good time to roll out new products, website features and other innovations. If you’d like to tie a promotion to New Year’s resolutions, you’ll want to get started this month.
November 3 – Daylight Savings Time ends
Roll those clocks back.
November 5 – Who remembers Bank Transfer Day 2011?
November 5-7 – BAI Retail Delivery 2013
At the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO!
November 11 (Monday) – Veterans Day
US bank holiday.
November 11 – Remembrance Day (UK, Canada)
November 28 (Thursday) – Thanksgiving Day
US bank holiday.
November 29 – Black Friday
Biggest shopping day of the year in the US.
December 2013
Planning Notes: Planning Notes: Spring is traditionally the peak home buying season in North America, so you may want to get a home loan promotion underway. December is the time to organize your Superbowl promotion (early February), and perhaps start planning for Valentine’s Day after that. The 2014 Winter Olympics are just a few weeks away.
December 2 – Cyber Monday
Online shopping deals.
December 21 – Winter Solstice
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 (Wednesday) – Christmas Day
Bank holiday.
December 26 – Boxing Day
Bank holiday in Canada and the UK.
January 2014
Planning Notes: Remember to update the year on all your documents and © notices (website, forms, etc.). The beginning of the year is a good time to work on scholarship awards. If you start planning a March Madness promotion, just don’t use the trademarks “March Madness,” “Sweet 16″ or “Final Four” or you’ll get in big trouble. Valentine’s Day and President’s Day are next month.
January 1 (Wednesday) – New Years Day
Bank holiday.
Mid January – Oscar Award nominees announced
January 20 (Monday) – Martin Luther King Day
US bank holiday.
