Cincinnati, OH (October 14, 2010) - Leisure Systems Inc., the franchisor of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, has announced the successful completion of the first ever rewards auction in the campground industry. The auction ran through September 15, 2010 as a new benefit in the innovative customer loyalty program - Club Yogi Rewards.
Launched in 2009, Club Yogi Rewards has more than 40,000 members who earn Club Points for spend in any Jellystone Park in the U.S. and Canada. Points remain in a member’s account and can be redeemed for free nights at any Jellystone Park location or Yogi Bear branded merchandise.
The latest innovation – auctions - gives members access to a website page where they can bid their points for auction items. The winning bidder’s points are redeemed but all other bidders points go back into their personal account.
The inaugural auction package offered substantial value for the Club Yogi Rewards members. The package included a Free 4 day, 3 night stay at any of the 74 Jellystone Parks. The winner could choose any dates, including holidays, and any type of accommodations available, including luxury cabins. Additionally, the winner received $200 worth of Free gasoline from the brand of their choice and a $100 voucher good towards Yogi Bear branded merchandise at any of the Jellystone Park retail store.
Jim and Geraldine Milliron of Louisville, Kentucky were the winning bidders. “We were soooo happy to receive the good news!” wrote Geraldine in an email to Michele Wisher, Marketing Director at Leisure Systems. “We absolutely love Jellystone and go every year.” The Milliron’s also sent a photograph of themselves having a relaxing weekend at one of their favorite Jellystone Parks. They added, “as you can see Jellystone always puts BIG smiles on our faces!”
Wisher confirmed that auction events will occur in the future as the program continues to engage best customers and deliver superior value through special, one-of-a-kind, family oriented experiences. “The auction,” noted Wisher, “created excitement and fun for our members and helped build on the outstanding levels of program benefits while complimenting our brand.”
“This program continues to yield a rich database for our total brand and our franchisees that enables us to deliver a differentiated experience for our most valuable guests,” notes Rob Schutter, President and COO of Leisure Systems.
About Club Yogi Rewards
Club Yogi Rewards is a free program that is unlike any other best customer initiative offered by campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada. The program abandoned the traditional fee-based discount card approach that is common in the camping industry in favor of offering all guests the opportunity to earn Free camping nights based upon their total spending at any park in the system. There are no restrictions on the type of accommodation a member can earn and no blackout dates. Points are earned for dollars spent on accommodations or retail purchases in the Jellystone Park store. Points accumulate from season to season as long as a guest stays active in the program. Preferences and other opt-in survey data help drive program communications, e-mail offers, the club newsletter and a special birthday gift program for the kids. Members can earn additional points for participating in surveys and booking reservations for special promotional periods throughout the year.
For two years, Leisure Systems has worked with Reward Paths, a loyalty marketing services firm, to provide the program operations and management system for Club Yogi Rewards. The Reward Paths loyalty system enables the LSI Marketing Team, individual park locations and program members to access the complete platform with nothing more than a web browser. Reward Paths hosts the member facing website, the auction engine and the loyalty management system used to support the entire program.
About Leisure Systems, Inc. and Jellystone Parks
Launched in 1969, the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort system is the second largest chain of campgrounds in the United States, boasting more than 70 campgrounds with over 15,000 campsites in 28 states and Canada. Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, which focus on the family market, are among the best campgrounds in the industry with a quality reputation for being fun, friendly, clean and service-oriented parks. Additionally, each Jellystone Park is themed with Yogi Bear elements providing instant recognition and consumer appeal. It is truly a place “Where You Camp With Friends.”®
Yogi Bear Jellystone Parks are franchised through Leisure Systems, Inc (LSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Park River Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information about Jellystone Parks, visit www.campjellystone.com.
About Reward Paths
Reward Paths is a full service marketing firm specializing in helping mid-market companies design, enable and operate reward, loyalty and incentive programs for their customers and associates. Reward Paths offers affordable, best of breed technology especially well suited to the consumer marketplace. The company also provides reward program service to B2B clients serving professional, institutional and trade audiences. Reward Paths LLC is majority owned by Incentive Solutions Limited (ISL) of Auckland, New Zealand. For more information visit www.rewardpaths.com.