802 Credit Union - Promotional Products

Barre, VT

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Building Culture Through Branded Moments

Since 2023, 802 Credit Union has partnered with The Element Group to rethink how promotional products can support culture and be an extension of who they are: a Vermont-based credit union focused on people, community, and employee experience.

802 Credit Union runs a full calendar of employee, volunteer, and member-focused initiatives throughout the year. At the start of each year, 802 shares a full schedule of upcoming events. This allows for proactive planning with early sourcing and more thoughtful product selection.

From staff events to volunteer appreciation campaigns, each moment is an opportunity to reinforce their brand.

 

Client

  • 802 Credit Union

Financial Institution Type

  • Credit Union

Features

  • custom mockups
  • curated items
  • items for calendar events
  • staff and employee appreciation
  • branded packaging
  • online employee shop

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For People, Not Just the Brand

A key priority for 802 is quality. Every item is chosen with the intention that employees, volunteers, and members will actually use it. This has led to a wide range of creative solutions, including:

  • Custom gifts for annual staff events, paired with premium raffle items
  • Volunteer appreciation packages tied to annual recognition events
  • Member giveaways that feel genuine rather than just transactional

The team also consistently leans into their identity. The 802 name, tied directly to Vermont’s area code, shows up not just in messaging but in the overall feel of the products.

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802-custom-keychain

In one recent example, after hosting a staff session centered on shared values, they created custom word cloud keychains using employee-submitted language. The result was a simple but meaningful reminder that employees could carry with them every day.

Bringing Ideas to Life

Rather than waiting for requests, Element’s team actively brings new ideas forward. If something stands out or aligns with an upcoming event, it gets shared early to keep momentum going.

 

That includes:

  • Product research and recommendations throughout the year
  • Custom mockups and design development
  • Exploration of new items and trends across clients and industries

Beyond the products themselves, presentation plays an important role in how 802 approaches promotional products.

Custom packaging, branded boxes, and thoughtful assembly help elevate items. Whether it is a staff item or a member thank you gift, the full experience is considered from start to finish.

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802-promotional-koozie

A System That Scales Creativity

What makes this partnership special is the balance between structure and flexibility.

With a clear annual plan in place, there is room to introduce new creative ideas while still meeting deadlines.

For 802 Credit Union, promotional products have become more than branded merch. They are tools for recognition and culture building. And with the right strategy behind them, even the smallest items leave a lasting impression.

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802-duffel-bag-leather.png 802-DeskMat-word-branding.