This was my first year experiencing Mardi Gras in Louisiana.
Now, I’d heard about it. You know … beads, parades, music, general revelry. But let me gently report: hearing about Mardi Gras and actually being at Mardi Gras are about as similar as watching a snow globe and standing in a blizzard.
I had a few expectations going in:
Beautiful colors.
Creative costumes.
Music.
People having a good time.
I mean, I’m from North Dakota. That already sounded like a full-blown adrenaline sport.
And yet … nothing could have prepared me.
A co-worker and friend took me to my very first Mardi Gras parade, and within minutes my polite Midwestern senses were absolutely overstimulated in surround sound.
The sheer number of people alone had my internal “ope, just gonna sneak past ya” reflex working overtime.
There was music everywhere, joy everywhere, glitter in places glitter should not logically exist.
The outfits? Spectacular.
The energy? Electric.
The whole scene? Like someone turned the volume knob on life all the way up and then snapped it off.
There was just so much to take in.
And as I sat there, wide-eyed, trying to process it all like a human snow globe that had just been shaken a little too hard, I found myself thinking something unexpected…
What if we in the credit union world took a page from this?
Because underneath the beads and brass bands and beautiful chaos, there was something powerful: connection, community, shared joy, people showing up fully and celebrating together.
Turns out, Mardi Gras isn’t just a party.
It’s a masterclass in belonging … with a lot more sequins.
Here are my 8 takeaways…
1. Community isn’t a buzzword, it’s a feeling
At Mardi Gras, people aren’t just attendees, they belong.
Strangers cheer together like old friends.
Credit union translation:
Members shouldn’t feel like account numbers with snacks. Create spaces, events, and touchpoints where people genuinely feel part of something bigger.
2. Energy is contagious
The music, the movement, the sheer joy … it spreads fast.
No one stays “meh” for long.
Credit union translation:
Your culture shows. If your team is engaged, excited, and proud, members feel it instantly. If it’s flat … they feel that too.
3. Don’t be afraid to stand out
Mardi Gras is not subtle. It’s bold, colorful, unforgettable.
Credit union translation:
Safe and bland don’t build loyalty.
Whether it’s marketing, member experience, or storytelling, a little personality goes a long way.
4. Traditions build loyalty
Parades, krewes, rituals … people come back year after year because it means something.
Credit union translation:
What traditions do you have with your members?
Annual events, milestone celebrations, even small consistent gestures can create emotional stickiness.
5. Give generously (even the little things matter)
Beads aren’t exactly high-value items … but people light up catching them.
Credit union translation:
It’s not always about big perks.
Thoughtful touches, small surprises, and genuine appreciation can create outsized impact.
6. Diversity is part of the magic
Different backgrounds, styles, expressions … all part of the same celebration.
Credit union translation:
Inclusivity isn’t just policy, it’s practice.
Reflect and serve the full diversity of your community in meaningful ways.
7. Experiences beat transactions
No one goes to Mardi Gras for efficiency.
They go for how it feels.
Credit union translation:
Rates and products matter, but experience is what people remember and talk about.
8. Celebrate loudly (and often)
Mardi Gras celebrates everything … big, small, and in between.
Credit union translation:
Celebrate your members.
Celebrate wins.
Celebrate milestones.
Don’t wait for the “big stuff” to make people feel seen.
At the end of the day, we are here to make people feel safe, seen, celebrated, heard, and to leave them better than we found them.
Sometimes that requires a little sparkle, a little extra, a little jazz hands.
With all of those things in your membership toolkit you can help your members “laissez les bons temps rouler”!
