Shore Savings PLUS+
A modern, digital savings program that helps visitors discover local deals and helps partners track real results.
For nearly two decades, the Shore Savings Card has been part of the Shores and Islands Ohio experience, helping visitors save money while supporting local businesses. Over time, Shore Savings became a familiar and trusted program, but visitor expectations have changed. Guests now look for digital tools, instant access, and personalized discovery. Businesses also need programs that are effective, fair, and measurable.
Shore Savings PLUS+ is the next step. It is a digital upgrade designed to improve the program for both partners and customers.
Why Shore Savings Needed an Upgrade
In recent years, participation in the traditional Shore Savings Card declined, and offers became harder to manage. Paper discounts are difficult to track and even harder to control.
At the same time, third-party deal platforms like Groupon have not been widely adopted in our region. These platforms can drive traffic, but they often require deep discounts and take a large percentage of revenue from businesses.
As a nonprofit destination marketing organization, Shores and Islands Ohio does not operate that way. Shore Savings PLUS+ was built as a locally controlled digital savings program that:
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Drives foot traffic
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Protects businesses from abuse
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Eliminates middleman fees
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Provides real performance data
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Improves the visitor experience
What Is Shore Savings PLUS+?
Shore Savings PLUS+ is the digital version of the Shore Savings Card, powered by the same Bandwango platform used for the Cheers Trail, Golf Trail, and other digital experiences.
Two Types of Offers
Shore Savings PLUS+ includes two layers of savings, giving partners flexibility while protecting profitability.
Everyday Shore Savings Discounts
Low-impact offers designed for repeat use, such as:
- $1 off
- 5% off
These offers are ideal for frequent redemptions and minimal financial strain.
Premium Digital Coupons
Higher-value offers that can be carefully controlled, such as:
- Buy one, get one offers
- Percentage discounts
- Limited giveaways
Premium coupons are protected through digital limits and redemption controls.
Included With All Partnership Levels
Participation in Shore Savings PLUS+ is included at all partnership levels.
How Customers Find Your Business
When visitors open Shore Savings PLUS+ in the Shore Explore web app, offers are automatically sorted by GPS distance. If a visitor is near your business and you have an active offer, your listing appears near the top.
This encourages:
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Spontaneous visits
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Discovery beyond planned stops
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Increased visibility versus competitors without offers
How Customers Redeem Offers
Redemption happens directly from a customer’s phone at checkout:
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Open the Shore Explore web app
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Select Shore Savings PLUS+
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Choose your business and offer
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Tap “Redeem” at checkout
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Show the redemption screen to staff
The redemption screen is time-limited and must be visually confirmed by staff before applying the discount. This step is essential for protecting your business.
How Shore Savings PLUS+ Prevents Abuse
Digital redemption allows controls that were not possible with paper coupons, including:
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GPS, PIN, or QR code verification
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One-time or limited-use coupons
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Daily, weekly, or monthly resets
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Total redemption caps (for example, first 100 customers)
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Automatic coupon deactivation after use
Partners can also remove or adjust offers at any time if an offer becomes financially burdensome.
Performance Data You Can Access
For the first time, Shore Savings provides real insight into performance. Partners can access data such as:
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Total redemptions
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Customer origin and demographics
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Seasonal usage trends
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Response to new promotions
This data helps determine whether an offer is too generous, not generous enough, or perfectly balanced.
No Fees and No Revenue Cuts
Unlike third-party deal platforms:
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Shores and Islands Ohio does not take a percentage of sales
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Customers are not purchasing deals through the app
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Businesses keep 100% of their revenue
Shores and Islands Ohio already licenses Bandwango for digital trails, so Shore Savings PLUS+ is an extension of that investment and is offered to partners at no additional cost.
What About the Paper Shore Savings Card?
The paper card remains available for guests who prefer a physical option. It continues to offer small everyday discounts and is supported by printed brochures and the website.
All paper-card offers also appear digitally, making Shore Savings PLUS+ the most complete version of the program.
Why This Matters for Shores and Islands Ohio
Shore Savings PLUS+ helps the region:
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Improve the visitor experience
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Encourage longer stays and increased spending
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Support businesses year-round, including shoulder seasons
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Market smarter using real data
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Compete with larger destinations using modern tools
It also positions the region as a leader in digital destination marketing, with the potential to serve as a future case study for other communities.
Want to Participate or Update Your Offer?
Shore Savings PLUS+ participation is included with all partnership levels.
If you would like to:
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Add a Shore Savings PLUS+ offer
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Upgrade to a premium digital coupon
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Review performance data
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Ask questions or get best-practice guidance
Please contact Tyler at Offers@shoresandislands.com to make the most of the program.
