Indiana County Chamber of Commerce and Indiana University of Pennsylvania Partner for Talon Ticket Student Discount Program
The Indiana County Chamber of Commerce and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) are partnering on a brand-new initiative to bring both the University students and the local business community together. The “Talon Ticket” is a new student discount program that will allow businesses throughout Indiana County to provide discounts and/or special offers exclusive to IUP students. According to Christina Koren, Director of Strategic Partnerships at IUP, the talon ticket builds relationships with local businesses in the Indiana County region and gets them on board with offering deals when student show their IUP I-card.
“IUP takes pride in working with our community and we continue to find ways promote a welcoming, thriving environment for our faculty, staff and students,” Koren said.
Koren explained that the idea of the discount program is that students can experience the region not only during orientation but all year long.
“IUP has been grateful for the discounts and special connections businesses have provided over the years. The difference with revamping this year stems from the recognized need to internally formalize the program so that it can be communicated clearly to the IUP students,” Koren stated.
Mark Hilliard, President of the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, said that the program is currently in a pilot phase for the Fall 2022 semester, with 30 local businesses participating. According to Hilliard the hope is to open the program up to all Indiana County businesses at some point in 2023.
“Both the chamber and IUP have been working together for a long time to look for different ways to get students more engaged in the local community and with our local businesses,” Hilliard explained. “We want them to truly feel at home in Indiana County.”
According to Koren, the partnership with the Chamber is a great way to encourage IUP faculty, staff, and students to get involved locally and support local businesses.
“With our campus-community collaborative efforts within the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, we want to ensure that our area businesses feel supported by our university community,” Koren said.
All the students must do is present a valid student ID at checkout at participating stores and restaurants. The IUP Talon Ticket Student Discount Program was unveiled to students during IUP freshman orientation on August 13. Students, like hospitality management major Heidi Neuman, were excited to have a renewed opportunity for discounts at local businesses.
“It is absolutely great having an official student discount program here at IUP,” Neuman stated. “Even the littlest discount can go a long way. I can see a lot more students going off campus to have a tasty pizza, a great shopping experience, or having a nice cup of coffee as they study. I know I will be using it every time I go out.”
The effort was led by an IUP collaboration between the Office of Strategic Partnerships in the University Advancement Division and the Eberly College of Business Student Marketing Association, both working alongside Indiana County Chamber of Commerce for support and promotion.
More information on the Talon Ticket Student Discount Program will be made available in the upcoming months. For more information, visit www.indianacountychamber.us.
