ACA, Texoma’s Buffalo Bur NEWS AND INFORMATION THAT REALLY STICKS WITH YOU.

17Feb/100

Customer Feedback, Customer Service, and Reputation Management: The Power of Twitter

I know many camps that are up and going with their Twitter accounts (and - I know of several camps that aren't).   As we know, Twitter accounts are used for networking, marketing, and all things in between.  We could write all day about marketing and Twitter.  However, let's talk about customer service, customer feedback, and reputation management.....on Twitter.

More importantly here, we've all heard about the power of Twitter when it comes to both major and small business "listening in" on what customers are saying.   In fact, earlier this week, we heard about Southwest Airlines' customer who decided to Twitter their specific customer service experience. This, of course, started a Twitter storm in which Southwest Airlines was quick to respond via its Twitter feed.  Regardless of the issue, more and more companies are "watching" their on-line reputation - and are also learning to respond and manage it.

Today, I sit here on a break from the ACA National Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Denver.  Super Conference!!  When I came to my hotel room, I found a silver bucket full of Dr. Pepper cans and a card sitting on the desk.  Come to find out, the bucket-o-Dr. Pepper was the hotel's response to Dani  (@danishaw)  posting a simple message on her Twitter account earlier this morning.  It said, "@denverhyatt thanks for having Dr. Pepper in your hotel.  It's the small things."

Don't forget that your customers will give you an on-line presence and reputation (regardless if you want it or not).  It will come in many forms - both good and bad.

  • What are your campers and parents saying on their Twitter accounts?
  • Are you listening-in?
  • Does your camp have communication policy (specifically involving Twitter and employees)?
  • Is the message the same (by different employees)?
  • Do you use hashtags to help manage the message?

Your camp probably doesn't have 1.6 million followers (as in the first Twitter incident earlier this week) causing the Twitter server to go down. However, regardless of the number of followers, your camp does have a reputation.  Find out what it is - and make sure you're listening.....and responding.

10Feb/100

ACA Now - February 10, 2010

February 10, 2010


National Conference

Don't Miss the Educational Event of the Year!

Register for the 2010 ACA National Conference in Denver today. If you are an experienced camp director or youth professional, there's a program for that. If you are a student, there's a program for that, too, plus students attend FREE as ACA members. You'll find an educational experience designed around you at the 2010 ACA National Conference in Denver. Plan your own learning experience today!

Sponsor Spotlight - Special thanks to the following companies for their generous contributions toward a high-quality educational event in Denver:

- CampMinder

- Markel Insurance Company

- Rocky Mountain Sunscreen

- You CAN do the Rubik's Cube

Learn more about these sponsors, along with our Friends of Camp.

More Conference Information

Marketing

Place Your Camp's Ad in USA Today's CAMP TODAY

ACA 2010 National Conference and 100th Anniversary Celebration

USA Today would like to thank each and every camp that participated in the CAMP TODAY October 2009 edition. Due to the success of past features and continued interest from those who participated, CAMP TODAY editions will be published in March and October, 2010. ACA members can take advantage of a Buy One Ad, Get One Ad FREE promotion.

Learn More

Camp News

Seeds of Peace Receives Chase Challenge Award

Seeds of Peace participated in an online competition through Chase Bank. By gathering 10,080 votes on Facebook from around the globe, Seeds of Peace received a $100,000 donation from Chase. Please join ACA in congratulating Seeds of Peace on this outstanding achievement.

Click here to learn more about the Seeds of Peace from Chase.

28Jan/100

Our “Digital Nation”: Learning, Parenting, Schools, and more…

It seems everything is "all things digital" lately.   I stumbled onto an amazing website that really speaks to multiple audiences and from multiple perspectives regarding our "digital nation".   More specifically, the evolution of our digital nation and the changes that are occurring within our community in parenting, youth, and learning.

FRONTLINE, partnering with several other agencies, will broadcast this television series begining next week, February 2nd, 2010 on your local PBS station.  The website has a wealth of information about the series, pointing out both positive and negative effects of our digital world on youth, learning, and parenting, providing resources, and touching upon some controversial issues with our digital nation.

Check it out at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/resources/

24Nov/090

ACA Now - November 24, 2009

November 24, 2009

20/20 Vision

20/20 Update - Accomplishments, Next Steps, and Important Dates

The following letter from CEO Peg Smith addresses accomplishments of the 20/20 Task Force, next steps regarding the 20/20 initiative, and important dates for the Leadership Summit and Council of Delegates.

Dear ACA Members,

The external value for what ACA has accomplished in the last five years in terms of our research and most recently through the work of the 20/20 Task Force is unparalleled. I just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., and the reception and open dialogue with other organizations was extraordinary - and for the first time, ACA has a real understanding of how our body of work is valued and appreciated externally. This goes a long way toward setting the climate for positive outcomes when we enter into discussions about education reform and other critical child and youth development issues. This is imperative to the success of the 20/20 Vision and to ACA's future as a leader in child and youth development.

The 20/20 Task Force has made impressive developments and progress toward ACA's 20/20 Vision. I wanted to take a moment and recognize those accomplishments, address the next steps in the process, and clear up any confusion that may have resulted from the flurry of e-mails, meetings, and conference calls that have taken place over the past month.

Read Full Letter

Public Relations

Join ACA's Media Resource Team!

In the last year, ACA received over 350 media requests. We would like to expand our media resource list to include more camps and more voices who can share with the media the depth, breadth, and importance of the camp experience. With your help, ACA can influence print and broadcast stories that appear throughout the country. If you would like to join the ACA Media Resource Team, or if you have any questions, please submit our online form or contact Dawn Swindle, Public Relations Manager, at 765-349-3317 or dswindle@ACAcamps.org.