DME Delivers - Case Study: UFAA Marketplace

Introduction

Everything your alumni association wants under one roof

DME Delivers has developed a unique and dynamic Marketplace tailored for alumni engagement, allowing Gator Clubs® and Affiliate Groups across the nation to redeem promotional items to be used throughout the year as giveaways and stewardship gifts for their members. This initiative strengthens alumni relations, boosts brand loyalty, and fosters a sense of community through memorable experiences during watch parties and other engagement events.

Challenge

An overabundance of some items and being very short on popular items

Previously, the UF Alumni Association (UFAA) had provided each Gator Club® a swag box at the beginning of the football season, with a standard set of items. Because there was no customization option or ability for clubs to provide feedback as to what they might need or already have in their inventory, this led to clubs having an overabundance of some items and being very short on popular items in demand by their members.

Solution

The UFAA worked with DME Delivers to create the UFAA Marketplace

Due to their challenges, the UFAA worked with DME Delivers to create the UFAA Marketplace, allowing clubs and affiliate groups the ability to order items tailored to their location’s interests and needs. Each of the 70 Gator Clubs® and 16 Affiliate Groups is allocated a budget of $250, $500, or $750 annually based on a tier structure created by the UFAA. This budget can be used exclusively in DME’s Marketplace to purchase approved, UFAA-branded merchandise for club or group-hosted watch parties and events. Because of the ability to customize orders, the Marketplace moved away from being sports/athletics focused and was able to offer a variety of items that can be used throughout the year for multiple types of events.

Enhanced Alumni Engagement Benefits 1

By offering branded merchandise, Gator Clubs® and Affiliate Groups create stronger emotional connections with alumni, encouraging continued participation and support.

————————

Unique, UFAA-branded items foster school spirit and nostalgia, further uniting alumni communities.

——————————

Many of the items provided through the Marketplace allow for increased visibility (such as notebooks, pens, cups, etc.) to increase brand awareness for UF and help alumni identify one another to build community, particularly for out of state alumni.

Simplified Procurement Process Benefits

DME Delivers’ Marketplace streamlines the ordering and fulfillment process, ensuring Gator Clubs® and Affiliate Groups receive high-quality products without administrative burdens. This process ensures that clubs and groups receive their items prior to football season, ensuring that items can be used for watch parties.

Clubs and groups can easily manage their budget and select from a curated catalog of UFbranded items, simplifying decision-making and reducing overhead.

Benefits

All items within the Marketplace align with UF’s branding standards, and are licensed, ensuring that alumni receive quality products that reflect the university’s identity and values.

Consistency in Branding and Quality

DME Delivers guarantees consistent production and delivery timelines, contributing to seamless event planning.

Benefits

Attractive giveaways and quality merchandise draw higher attendance at Gator Club® and Affiliate Group watch parties and events, enhancing the overall alumni experience.

Increased Participation and Attendance

The opportunity to receive UF-themed gifts adds excitement and value, encouraging alumni to attend more regularly.

How it Works

Budget Allocation and Usage

The tiered budget system assigned by the UFAA:  250 credits

 500 credits

 750 credits allows flexibility, enabling clubs to plan events that align with their community size and engagement goals.

Each Gator Club® and Affiliate Group can shop from a range of preselcted items on their marketplace based on their location and allocated budget, ensuring that clubs of all sizes benefit from the program.

Clubs and groups that exhaust their UFAA allocation can choose to purchase additional items with their own resources to ensure they meet their needs throughout the year.

Wrap Up

DME Delivers’ Alumni Marketplace plays a pivotal role in enriching the alumni experience for Gator Clubs® and Affiliate Groups, driving participation, and fostering lasting connections with the University of Florida. By streamlining the procurement of high-quality, UF-branded gifts and merchandise, DME Delivers helps alumni associations strengthen their community presence and enhance the Gator spirit nationwide.

Access Code: DME750