YMCA of the Triangle – Mobile App Accelerator
Overview
YMCA of the Triangle is one of the largest Y associations in the U.S., serving hundreds of thousands of members across North Carolina. Rooted in its mission to ‘strengthen community’, the YMCA engaged LeisureLabs to develop a three-year mobile app strategy. The goal: to align digital experiences with business priorities and better support the changing needs of their communities.
Challenge
The YMCA wanted to strengthen its mobile app as a core channel for engaging members. Leadership sought independent insight into current performance, member expectations, and industry best practices. The opportunity was to create a clear, actionable strategy that balanced short-term improvements with long-term digital innovation.
Results
The YMCA now has a clear strategic foundation to guide digital decision-making. The engagement provided leadership with a phased roadmap, industry benchmarks, and objective analysis of the app landscape. This empowers the YMCA to confidently take the next steps in advancing its mobile app experience for members.
Approach
LeisureLabs partnered with YMCA leadership through a mix of research, assessment, and in-person workshops:
- Stakeholder interviews
- Member surveys and customer feedback analysis
- App UX, UI, and technical review, including key metrics and sentiment
- Market benchmarking
- Gap analysis of opportunities and pain points
- An on-site workshop to co-create their digital strategy for the future
Solution
The Mobile App Accelerator delivered a comprehensive strategic package:
- Three-Year Mobile App Strategy aligned with YMCA goals
- Build vs Buy Options outlining alternative paths
- Vendor Comparison of existing and potential future white-label platforms
- Executive Summary Report consolidating findings, insights, and opportunities
"It’s been a pleasure working with LeisureLabs. For us, navigating digital transformation in a way that aligns with the needs of our diverse community is critical. We wanted a partner who could both explain and demonstrate how technology could support our strategic goals. At the YMCA of the Triangle, we see the digital experience as a touchpoint that deepens connection, makes access more seamless, and ultimately helps us strengthen the sense of community that is at the heart of everything we do. LeisureLabs took the time to understand our unique challenges and bring our stakeholders along on the journey. This initial discovery workshop has created strong momentum, and we’re excited about the next stages of our collaboration."
Amy Davidson
Associate Vice President of Healthy Living
