Village Gamer

Loyalty and rewards technology and services provider Ackroo Inc. has announced that it has been selected by the Downtown Penticton Association (DPA), to launch their Downtown Rewards Program – a loyalty program designed to promote local businesses in downtown Penticton, British Columbia. Under the terms of the commercial agreement Ackroo and its channel partner, Balanced Life Enterprises, will work with the DPA and its business members to deploy the community-based rewards program. The Penticton Downtown Rewards Program is scheduled to launch April 2, 2013.

Ackroo’s web-based loyalty and reward software platform enables small to medium sized businesses and merchants to remain competitive with major brands and retailers with affordable, customized loyalty programs.

The Downtown Penticton Association connects the community’s 33,000 residents and 780 downtown businesses including shopping, dining, entertainment and professional services to enhance the economic development and social fabric of Downtown Penticton.

The Downtown Rewards Program, powered by Ackroo, gives each merchant the flexibility to create a rewards program that works best for both their business and their customers while encouraging and rewarding Penticton residents and tourists to shop local. Shoppers can swipe their Downtown Rewards cards to earn and redeem rewards at participating downtown businesses. Downtown Rewards cards are available to consumers free of charge from participating merchants, the DPA and at various DPA events.

“We are excited to be working with the great team at the Downtown Penticton Association and their members,” said Steve Levely, vice president, sales at Ackroo. “This new partnership is in line with our plan to expand our support of business networks and merchant coalitions; the DPA program is another significant proof point in this strategy.”

“We are always looking for new ways to promote our downtown Penticton businesses to local residents and to contribute to a positive experience for our incredible tourism community. Part of the vibrancy of Downtown Penticton is our unique merchants and what they have to offer”, said Kerri Milton, executive director of the Downtown Penticton Association. “We saw a rewards program which works with the individual needs of each business as an opportunity for customers to explore the many merchants downtown and for the businesses to give back to their customers.  We have several merchants already signed on to the program and are looking forward to continually adding more. By partnering with Ackroo we can now provide our members an affordable way to give back and reward consumers for shopping locally.”