Graceland University Reunites with Concept3D for a More Robust Interactive Campus Map
Overview
Graceland University, a small Liberal Arts institution with campuses in Lamoni, Iowa, and Independence, Missouri, originally partnered with Concept3D to enhance its campus map and visitor experience. However, the university switched to an alternative provider several years later due to attractive bundled offerings. After experiencing the limitations of the new platform, Graceland returned to Concept3D—citing its robust features, customization, competitive pricing and flexibility as key reasons for coming back.
Initial Partnership to Provisional Parting
Graceland first implemented Concept3D’s Interactive Map to provide prospective students and visitors with an engaging, digital avenue to explore campus. The tool allowed them to highlight important locations, create custom self-guided tours, and provide visitors with a seamless navigation experience.
However, a tempting bundled offer of a campus map feature and virtual viewbook in the same interface led to a transition away from Concept3D.
According to Steve Edwards, Senior Director of Marketing at Graceland University, the decision to switch was driven primarily by convenience rather than a direct comparison of features:
“It wasn’t because their product was better. The driving factor was really about bundling it together and having a single experience.”
A Rapid Discovery: The Grass Isn’t Always Greener
While the alternative vendor’s map integration was visually adequate, it lacked the customization, interactivity, and functionality that Graceland previously enjoyed with Concept3D. The ability to create tailored campus experiences and manage the map’s content more dynamically became a growing concern.
“The truth was they couldn’t quite meet our needs when it came to customizing unique visits. Our map was limited and somewhat generic in what it had to offer to our prospective students.”
Shane Adams, Chief Marketing Officer
As Graceland approached the end of its contract, it reassessed its campus mapping needs. The price difference between the two platforms was minimal, and the university recognized that Concept3D offered far more value for a similar investment.
Reuniting with Concept3D
After evaluating their options, Graceland decided to return to Concept3D to regain access to the advanced features that the alternative vendor lacked. Chief Marketing Officer, Shane Adams, cited the customer service as the biggest draw for their return, mentioning that their dedicated account team at Concept3D was incredibly helpful.
Both Adams and Stevens additionally pointed out several functionalities that were crucial to their campus engagement strategy:
Custom Layers for Events & Temporary Categories
“When we have an on-campus event, being able to create a custom view with specific locations turned on is really beneficial. We can highlight parking spots and key event areas—something we couldn’t visually do on the other map.”
Product Flexibility
“Concept3D’s tours are built-in, whereas with the other vendor, it felt more like a hacked version rather than an integrated experience.”
“With Concept3D, there’s no limit on pins—we can add as many markers as we need.”
Admissions Lever
“Students are increasingly wanting an admissions experience that is customized to them. Concept3D gives us the ability to customize multiple journeys based on the types of students we have visiting our campus and meeting their individual needs.”
Internal Use Cases & Private Views
“We used Concept3D to show students where they were supposed to park and even mapped out Wi-Fi zones. These were private views that we could share selectively with a specific audience.”
Ultimately, the flexibility of Concept3D’s platform made it the best choice for Graceland’s student engagement needs.
The Future Partnership
Now that Graceland has re-implemented Concept3D, the university is excited about the possibilities for improving student engagement, streamlining campus visits, and enhancing virtual exploration for prospective students. The marketing team recognizes Concept3D as more than just a campus map, but also a powerful admissions and engagement tool.
“The ability to create custom views, show specific locations for different audiences, and integrate it into our admissions strategy makes it a much more flexible tool.”
Steve Edwards, Senior Director of Marketing
The decision to return to Concept3D highlights a key takeaway for institutions considering their campus mapping solutions: while bundled pricing can be appealing, functionality and customization drive long-term, undeniable value.
As Graceland moves forward with Concept3D, the university looks forward to leveraging the platform’s full potential to enhance the student experience and support enrollment efforts.
Would you like to discuss how Concept3D can enhance your campus experience? Request a personalized demo today!
See our technology solutions come together in one seamless experience.