Crescent Heights BIA Celebrates Asian Heritage Month with 5,000+ Interactions Through Driftscape
July 17, 2025
The Challenge: Static Tools, Missed Opportunities
Crescent Heights Village in Calgary is a culturally rich neighborhood with deep Asian roots and a growing mix of small businesses. Heading into Asian Heritage Month 2024, the BIA wanted to do more than post on social media or publish a list of events.
​
But they faced a few common challenges:
-
Locals weren’t exploring beyond familiar spots
-
The BIA lacked tools to turn engagement into real-world visits
-
Print materials were costly, slow to update, and hard to measure
-
There was no clear way to track outcomes or demonstrate success to stakeholders
They needed a mobile-first approach that could activate community pride, drive measurable foot traffic, and support their member businesses in a meaningful way.
The Solution: A Local Culture App That Turns Exploration Into Action
To bring Asian Heritage Month to life, Crescent Heights BIA partnered with Driftscape to create a self-guided, gamified experience that celebrated the neighbourhood’s stories and businesses.
Here’s what they launched:
-
Interactive Points of Interest (POIs) mapped across the district to highlight cultural stories and Asian-owned businesses
-
A Points & Rewards system that encouraged visitors to check in at multiple spots
-
Coupons offering discounts on food and retail to incentivize return visits
-
A mobile-first experience that was easy to use and completely flexible—visitors could explore on their own schedule and create their own path
This was more than a campaign—it was a local movement built on digital exploration, pride of place, and repeat foot traffic.
The Results: 5,000+ Interactions and Real-World Business Impact
During May 2024, the campaign delivered powerful results:
-
5,000+ POI views across the Asian Heritage Month content
-
Multiple return visits driven by coupon-based incentives—visitors returned days later to redeem offers they discovered through the app
-
Notable increases in foot traffic, especially to lesser-known businesses
-
The BIA avoided an estimated $6,850 in print costs by using Driftscape instead of producing guides and flyers
-
All engagement was tracked in real time, giving the BIA data to report back to stakeholders and plan future initiatives with confidence
What Made It Work
-
Creating a strong link between the app promotion and the cultural celebration of Asian Heritage Month
-
Mobile storytelling turned passive listings into cultural touch points
-
Coupon redemptions created return visits, a key win for small business owners
-
The platform was low effort to manage—no new hires or heavy lift required
-
The BIA could update, monitor, and promote content instantly with no reprinting or lag time
Key Takeaways
-
A local culture app can turn cultural celebrations into trackable, interactive events
-
Discounts and coupons not only drive first visits—they bring people back
-
Mobile tours increase engagement and visibility for under-the-radar businesses
-
BIAs can save time and money while still reaching more people
-
Real-time analytics let teams measure what works without tech overhead
-
Community-focused storytelling builds pride, participation, and positive press
Ready to Turn Your Cultural Event Into a Walkable Success?
Use Driftscape to launch an interactive mobile experience that engages your community, supports local businesses, and tracks results—without the paper chase.
Want to see the Points & Rewards feature in action? Explore the Feature
​​
Start your tour app today
​