Technology is becoming increasingly essential to the operations of museums and nonprofits. From making things more efficient behind the scenes to improving the customer experience, new and long-standing technologies are transforming the way organizations operate and delight visitors. Each year, we look forward to reviewing the predictions published by major research firms and leading technologists. Gartner, a leading global research and advisory firm, recently put out their latest predictions for trends that will accelerate technological progress in years to come.
How Colleges and Universities Turn to Digital to Enhance Alumni Engagement
More than ever before, ensuring alumni engagement and career success are top priorities for colleges and universities. Indeed, as higher education enrollments continue to fall and universities feel heightened pressure to bring in more revenue, active alumni networks not only help institutions of higher education cultivate a compelling brand, but also serve as a vital source of financial support for colleges.
According to the latest findings by Salesforce, “the advancement office is fundamental to institutional growth and development” at universities. Additionally, advancement and development staff rely heavily on the generosity and giving of alumni to achieve their fundraising goals and keep their institutions vibrant and afloat.
5 New Technologies Unveiled at CES that Could Shape the Future of the Museum Experience
Earlier this month, Las Vegas and the tech world were abuzz about the 2020 Consumer Electronic Show (CES). According to Forbes, “CES is a celebration of creativity and the desire to make things smarter, faster, and better,” and it showcases the innovations from startups, tech giants, and manufacturers alike. For many, it’s a glimpse into what’s to come next.
5 Tips to Reduce Membership Turnover
Museums and cultural attractions spend a lot of time searching for creative and effective new ways to attract new members while retaining and engaging their existing constituents.
With everything that goes in to expanding your reach, sometimes it is easy to forget that keeping members in the long-term is just as important as getting new members to sign up (if not more)! Research shows that it costs five times as much to acquire a new member than to retain a current one. Additionally, over a five year period, the average total value of a renewed member was worth 35% more than that of the average total value of a newly acquired member. The numbers are clear: reducing membership turnover is well worth the investment.
Here are five ways to help reduce membership turnover at your organization!
Cuseum’s 2019 Year in Review
It’s been an extraordinary year at Cuseum, and we are filled with momentum as we head towards 2020. Between new partnerships, exciting additions to the Cuseum family, launching our third product, and sharing our vision all around the globe, 2019 marks the best year in our company's history.
4 Reasons to Go Digital with Membership Cards in 2020
We’re counting down the days until 2020, which promises to be the biggest year yet for the digital wallet. While mobile wallet payments accounted for $75 billion in 2016, this number is forecast to reach $500 billion going into 2020. And according to predictions by Visa, “By 2020, many people could be leaving their wallets behind” in favor of their mobile phones.
3 Things You Need to Know About AI-Powered “Deep Fakes” in Art & Culture
In the past year, the term “deepfake” has entered into news headlines and the realm of popular culture. If you’ve run into articles like “Deepfakes are getting better. Should we be worried?” and “Internet Companies Prepare to Fight the ‘Deepfake’ Future” you might be feeling apprehensive or even wondering what, exactly, a deepfake is. In the era of fake news where content can spread through the internet like wildlife, this emerging technology is sparking new debates and driving new experiments.
5 Ways to Leverage Social Media This #GivingTuesday
Paperless Passes: The Perks of Mobile Ticketing in Museums & Cultural Attractions
In recent years, the “mobile ticket” has taken off. It goes by many names – e-ticket, digital ticket, online ticket – and has transformed ticketing in nearly every industry. The rise of the mobile ticket has emerged concurrently with the widespread use of smartphones. A 2019 study by the Pew Research Center revealed that 81% of Americans own a smartphone.
Tips for Choosing a Point of Sale (POS) System for Your Museum or Organization
At retailers of all sizes, point of sale (POS) systems are overtaking the traditional cash register to manage transactions and interactions with customers. Simply put, a POS system “is the hardware and software that allows a business to process customer payments for products and services.” POS systems have become the central component of businesses, serving as “the hub where everything—like sales, inventory and customer management--merges.” Increased efficiency, ease of use, expanded payment capabilities, and reporting are just some of the myriad benefits of such a system.
CuriOdyssey Introduces Digital Membership Cards!
We are so excited to welcome CuriOdyssey to the Cuseum family and celebrate the launch of their digital membership cards!
How Data Can Help You Create a Vibrant & Sustainable Membership Program
The world is abuzz about “big data” and “data-driven” strategy. As defined by IBM, “Big data analytics is the use of advanced analytic techniques against very large, diverse data sets.” In the commercial sector big data has applications in everything from product development, customer experience, operational efficiency, to innovation. According to Intel, “big data analytics is a technology-enabled strategy for gaining richer, deeper, and more accurate insights into customers, partners, and the business.”
3 Reasons Why Museums and Nonprofits Should Be Thinking About Cybersecurity
It’s October, and that doesn’t just mean Halloween – it’s also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). NCSAM is a joint effort between government and industry “to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online.”
What is the Value of a Visitor, Member, and Evangelist to Your Organization?
Virginia Living Museum Launches Digital Membership Cards!
We are so excited to welcome the Virginia Living Museum to the Cuseum family with the launch of their digital membership cards!
KidsQuest Children’s Museum is on a Quest to go Digital!
We’re so psyched up to announce that KidsQuest Children’s Museum launched their digital membership cards today!
KidsQuest is a hands-on, interactive children’s museum, which strives to “create learning through the power of play and exploration that connects children to their communities and the world.” As KidsQuest continues to innovate their programming, they’ve also innovated membership - now, digital membership cards make it easy for on-the-go families to access their membership benefits, either at KidsQuest or other science museums and children’s museums that offer reciprocal admissions.
Go KidsQuest!
MoCA Westport Announces New Digital Membership Cards!
We are psyched to announce that MoCA Westport just launched their new digital membership cards!
Connecticut Audubon Society Launches Digital Membership Cards!
Introducing Guest Pass Referral by Cuseum
Increasing attendance, membership, and visibility are some of the top priorities across the cultural space. To date, there’s been no easy and cost-effective solution that empowers organizations to leverage the networks of their most dedicated supporters to address these goals. Your constituents have valuable connections with the potential to elevate your organization – if only there were an easy way to tap into them.
Chattahoochee Nature Center is Going Green through Digital
We are so excited to announce that the Chattahoochee Nature Center has launched their new digital membership cards.