Introducing International Customer Experience Day & Why It Matters

Every once in a while, something deserves more than a nod. It deserves a day. That’s why we launched International Customer Experience Day, to celebrate every year on May 15, the same day Nextiva welcomed its first customer back in 2008.

Seventeen years later, we’re proud to dedicate a day to the people behind every loyal customer, resolved issue, thoughtful follow-up, and business breakthrough.

We’re inviting every business, large or small, to celebrate the people and progress behind better experiences.

What Is International Customer Experience Day?

International Customer Experience Day is a global moment to reflect on what makes businesses thrive: real relationships. While products and pricing might catch a prospect’s attention, the memorable moments keep them around.

As Nextiva’s CEO, Tomas Gorny, says, “Every brand competes not just with others in their category, but with the best experiences customers have anywhere.” That’s the expectation today. Whether you’re a local HVAC business or a growing tech brand, how you treat people shapes your reputation and long-term success.

This day recognizes the people and platforms making those meaningful connections possible. From support reps and product teams to the tools that enable fast, thoughtful service, we acknowledge everyone who contributes to delivering a better customer experience.

When we launched Nextiva, we fixed an industry that forgot the customer. Seventeen years later, we’re still building for the people who pick up the phone, send the message, and go above and beyond.

“Customer experience isn’t just good business — it is the business. It’s the only true differentiator that lasts, and the one thing your competitors can’t copy.”

Yaniv Masjedi, Chief Marketing Officer, Nextiva

Why We Needed This Day

In the past decade, I’ve seen customer expectations evolve at a pace that most companies struggle to keep up with. Technology has helped, of course, but it’s really about mindset.

People want more than answers. They want to be heard. They want service that’s not just fast, but thoughtful. And they expect companies to treat them like individuals, not tickets in a queue.

That’s why we created Customer Experience Day. At Nextiva, our story started with a simple idea: business communication should be reliable, human, and easy to use. We built tools that made that possible for small businesses, not just the enterprise crowd.

Over time, we’ve evolved from a phone system company into a complete customer experience platform. But our mission hasn’t changed. We’re still working to make it easier for businesses to show they care.

Each day, we ask: how can we outdo what we did yesterday for our customers?

That mindset keeps us focused on what matters. Not just building software, but building trust.

Real Stories, Real Impact

One special story comes from the San Antonio Spurs. After the team switched to Nextiva, they told me how effortless it was to move from the legacy provider to the cloud for the team’s communications. “Our team doesn’t drop calls; there’s amazing voice quality, and it’s been an incredibly reliable way to connect with our fans and create a better customer experience,” said Chris Monroe, the associate VP of Membership.

The fan experience is very much a customer experience. Every time the players hit the court, an entire operation behind the scenes depends on reliable, proven communications to serve the fans, partners, and sponsors.

Behind our technology are our partners and team members, who also gave their all to deliver a leading communications solution to support a winning NBA team.

To me, this day is about giving people the tools and confidence to deliver high-impact experiences without layers of complexity.

10 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Customer Experience Day

Here are ten ways to honor the day and, more importantly, the people behind your customer experience. Each idea is simple to implement and powerful in its impact.

1. Spotlight your CX champions – Publicly acknowledging those who go above and beyond sends a clear message that great service matters, inspiring others to follow suit.
   
2. Host a virtual or in-person appreciation event – Even a short team breakfast or video huddle can go a long way. Use the moment to connect, reflect, and remind everyone why their work is essential.
   
3. Share a customer win story – Whether in your team chat, a company email, or a social post, storytelling reinforces the value of excellent service. It also shows new team members what success looks like.
   
4. Offer a surprise ‘thank you’ – A handwritten note, a small gift, or even a personal email can deepen customer loyalty. When people feel appreciated, they stick around longer.
   
5. Create an internal CX leaderboard – Friendly competition is a great motivator. Highlight performance metrics like response time or CSAT to encourage excellence and create momentum.
   
6. Invite customers to share their experiences – Ask customers how your team has helped them, then share those stories internally or externally. It’s a great way to build pride and uncover feedback.
   
7. Launch a CX Day learning session – A deep-dive training on listening skills, empathy, or new platform features can boost morale and sharpen your team’s ability to deliver Amazing Service.
   
8. Add a personal touch to service – Encourage team members to take an extra moment to personalize their next interaction. A small note or follow-up message can make a big impact.
   
9. Recognize cross-functional contributors – CX doesn’t stop at support. Celebrate the engineers, marketers, and ops pros who enable top-notch customer outcomes behind the scenes.
   
10. Commit to one major customer improvement – Pick one area where you can improve, whether customer onboarding, omnichannel service, support ticket follow-ups, or reducing friction, and take a clear first step.

Driving CX Forward Together

Customer experience isn’t a one-day initiative or a support-only function. I believe it’s a core ingredient in every successful brand. CX forms a defensive moat that helps you stay resilient in good and uncertain times.

The companies that embrace the customer experience are the ones people remember.

We created this day to recognize the work already happening and to encourage more of it. Better experiences don’t just lead to better business; they forge lasting customer relationships.

If you’re reading this, you’re already part of that mission. Let’s make every day a little more customer-focused and every team member a little more connected.