By Bob Michels, BATC President
It’s July 2017 already, and everyone is busy — it was not that long ago we were all looking for the economy and the housing market to improve.
Since I was asked to climb the leadership ladder at BATC in 2014, we have seen many changes in the economy, the housing market and in how we do things here at BATC. For a variety of reasons, we are now able to accomplish more for our Builder, Remodeler and our Associate members than ever before. Do you know that 65-70 percent of the new homes in Minnesota are built here in the Twin Cities market? Our Remodelers are quite busy and their remodeling activity dwarfs outstate remodeling as well. Also, and more importantly, Twin Cities builders’ and remodelers’ projects are Inspected and highly regulated by the cities we build in, Met council, PCA, Department of Health, DLI, etc. with significant enforcement for violations.
In the last year, your Association has increased its delivery of services to its members. Like most successful enterprises, BATC must constantly improve its “value proposition.” First off, let’s take a look at our current offerings and benefits with emphasis on what is new.
BATC Political and regulatory affairs:
- We’ve added a full-time regulatory affairs staffer, Nick Erickson, to help us up our game with local regulatory agencies
- Our accelerated electoral efforts have increased our association and industry’s prominence with legislators and staff at the Capitol exponentially
- Through our partnership with the REALTOR® Associations and growth in our membership’s participation, we have catapulted our Housing Day at the Capitol to new prominence
- We’ve partnered with several major construction industry groups to help launch Build MN, a program designed to convince young people to choose careers in construction
BATC Member connections:
- Our dedicated membership director, Kristina Mahler, has helped us grow membership by 8 percent over the past year (from 1118 to 1207), and with the help of Heather Griffis, we have an amazing 91 percent retention rate
- From our economic forecast events in January and July, to our BIG Night gala in October, to golf and the clay shoot, we continue to make it fun and easy to connect with your peers and potential trade partners
- The BATC Foundation continues to do great work supporting area families in need, and offers many members both networking opportunities and a chance to personally give back to the community
BATC Marketing opportunities for your business:
- Our Parade of Homes, Remodelers Showcase and its newest off-shoot, the Artisan Home Tour, remain top marketing opportunities for showcasing homes and home products to consumers
- We recognize that remaining relevant in today’s marketplace means having a dynamic digital presence, so look for our new website launching early next year plus we’re continuing to grow our already substantial social media presence
- And for those of you who want to market to BATC members, our Builders & Remodelers Show (BRS) is the biggest industry trade show in the Midwest, while our hundreds of advertising and sponsorship opportunities mean you’ll be able to touch just the right members with your message
BATC membership “value proposition” has never been greater.
- We reduced your base dues by $200 while continuing to provide all the resources and opportunities you’ve come to rely upon from BATC while enhancing member benefits and resources
BATC has hundreds of hard working volunteers (that have a lot of fun while working), a Board of Directors that cares greatly for you, your enterprise and your association. We also have a very professional and hardworking staff dedicated to adding and delivering these benefits to you.
Your continued support of and participation in this association brings many benefits to you, to our customers and to our industry. I contend that there is no other builders’ association you can join capable of delivering this to you.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
