NACDA presents Disney Institute

In the fall of 2009, keeping with NACDA's mission, the Association teamed with Disney Institute to strengthen its commitment to expanding professional development opportunities available for intercollegiate athletics administrators. Recognizing the importance of leadership excellence and quality service, NACDA leadership looked to Disney Institute to assist with offering programs for those in the athletics realm that focus on the parallels between Disney best practices and the day-to-day operations of an athletics department and staff.

What are those parallels?

It's all about the customer experience. Every time a company and customer interact, the customer learns something that will either strengthen or weaken the future relationship and that customer's desire to return, spend more and recommend the experience.

This is equally true for intercollegiate athletics departments who are trying to maximize attendance, ticket revenue, corporate sponsorships, suite sales, concessions, licensing, and booster donations.

It is no longer enough to field a winning team. As fans have grown more sophisticated, they want to know how teams and athletics departments are evolving to provide a consistent and entertaining product that transcends a team's performance. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to not only acknowledge this perspective but respond to it by building, nurturing, sustaining, and expanding your brand.

A strong fan base is the most important asset an athletic department can achieve, so what methods can be used to secure the longevity of patrons?

Disney Institute, the professional development arm of The Walt Disney Company, delivers real-life business lessons built on the powerful relationship between experiences and a brand that generates superior bottom-line results.

Intercollegiate athletics have much in common with Disney in terms of how customers relate to and perceive their product. No other organization has the powerful track record of delighting guests, exceeding their expectations, and getting them to return time and time again. Disney Institute invites you to think differently about how business theory drives operational excellence - or simply put, to D'Think.

Each athletics department is different, but only Disney Institute can help blend your mission and unique strengths with the best practices of Disney to further differentiate your institution and create a targeted message to redefine the ultimate fan experience.

What is the cost of the program?

Whatever you design it to be! Through NACDA's partnership with the Disney Institute, specially designed discounted rates are available in order to cater to the wants, needs and desires of each individual institution's/athletics department's objectives.

Although there is a base rate for a standard program, most institutions find it more beneficial to talk with a Disney Institute representative to explore and maximize the opportunities available for your staff and ultimately create a better environment both internally and externally.

Click Here to read about the University of Tennessee Athletics and their work with Disney Institute.

Click Here to watch a video about how Disney Institute helped re-inspire South Africa for the World Cup.

Click Here to join the ranks of other amateur, collegiate and professional sports organizations who have pursued excellence through work with Disney Institute.