New home tours are not only an efficient marketing vehicle for builders and remodelers to draw people to their model homes, but consumers loved the convenience of having large numbers of homes to see and walk through all at one time. Bolin recognized the need for the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) to create and leverage its position as an “information resource” with development of a strong, singular brand to consumers–The Parade of Homes.

• Developed BATC website strategy
• Regular information seminars
• Created and co-managed a weekly call-in radio show
• Extended unbiased housing information year-round, including adding niche events for remodelers and “association maintained” products

• Builder participation in Parade of Homes new home tours over a 15 year period (’93-’08) increased by a factor of 600 percent.
• Consumer attendance at Parade events has risen substantially during that time with hundreds of thousands of consumers “joining the Parade” each year.
• Consumer brand recognition, awareness and satisfaction of The Parade of Homes has grown steadily to the 90+ percent range–making it one of the most well known and respected brands in this marketplace.
• BATC is one of the most successful and innovative National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) member association