EUGENE, Ore-Credit unions across the country have invested significant funds to raise their profile. Northwest Community CU here has done the same with a stationary bicycle that powers a smoothie-making machine.
Different? Sure. Which is why the credit union recently purchased a second blender bike to keep up with demand for the contraption at community events. Seems NCCU has become a hit locally by pushing pedal-powered smoothies, increasing its awareness in the city. Matt Purvis, VP marketing, said the goal is to make people remember the credit union.
"The results are always the same. People enjoy it, and sometimes hop on the bike themselves," Purvis aid. "Being distinctive and memorable is part the shtick. Any retail business is a show. We want to entertain people, have them enjoy the time they spend with us, and remember the credit union because we did something a little out of the ordinary."
The bike-powered blender certainly is unique. It looks like a stationary bike, with one big wheel that drives a blender attachment at the front of the bike. The $650-million CU first used the bike two years ago at a golf tournament and the response was so great-and the community kept asking about it-that NCCU has used it at more events. A blender bike costs $2,000, and the credit union spends no more than $200 per event to cover smoothie ingredients-like berries, apple juice, and bananas. Crowds tend to form quickly, anywhere from 25 to 50 people are usually standing in line to get a free drink and to watch, according to Purvis.
"Everyone knows what a blender is, but the human power element of it just puts smiles on people's faces, gets them talking and asking us questions," Purvis said. "People let their guard down and just spend time with us, which also lets us talk about the credit union."
Purvis added that credit unions looking to hop on a bike blender of their own, need to first get a food handler's license, which is easily done online, Purvis said. "If alcohol is involved, you will need to have licensed bartender making the smoothies."
