Marketing Association for Credit Unions votes to integrate their operations, events into CCUA

Toronto--The Marketing Association for Credit Unions (MACU) voted to fold its organization into the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) – the national industry leader for Canada’s credit unions. The vote took place during MACU’s Annual General Meeting, in Ottawa, Ontario on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

“MACU was founded in 1988 as a way to help marketing professionals exchange ideas and best practices, and learn from other marketing industry leaders,” explained MACU Executive Director, Rachel Cleland. “The decision to merge our operations will lead to increased collaboration and integration within the industry, and more operational efficiencies.”

This change will also help to increase professional development opportunities for marketers across the country through key events such as the CCUA annual, national conference for Canada’s credit union leaders. CCUA’s next national conference will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 6-10, 2017.

MACU members, which make up approximately 33 per cent of the system, will continue to have access to the industry research, thought leaders and industry-related webinars that their membership already gives them.

A key benefit of membership is MACU’s annual Achievement in Marketing Excellence (AIME) Awards program, developed to recognize the best and brightest achievements in credit union marketing. These awards will continue to be presented to Canada’s credit unions; however at this time it is unclear if they will be merged into CCUA’s annual National Credit Union Awards program, or if they will be held separately.

“This decision will enable CCUA to focus on expanding and elevating the marketing conversation across the country in a new and accelerated fashion,” explained Jennifer McGill, vice president, Communications and Marketing, CCUA. “It will also will help us to implement at a higher level, best practices within the system and present opportunities to leverage the insights of our peers.”