Local Florida HBA ‘Reels in’ Hundreds of Members to Win Membership Cup

For the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA), which is comprised of more than 1,200 members, everyone plays a role in building and maintaining their thriving association. That commitment to member recruitment and retention is what led the HBA to win the NAHB Membership Cup for 2022.

The association regularly encourages members to get out and talk to colleagues in the industry about their experiences as a member of the NEFBA. But the pivotal catalyst to recruitment has been a reinvigorated membership drive that launched new prizes, competitions and events.

Led by Executive Officer Jessie Spradley, NEFBA created a membership drive committee that focused on revitalizing its membership efforts that were largely sidetracked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re always talking about membership, but there is added value to say that this month is the month to get your members,” Spradley said. “It’s helpful and it gets members to focus.”

NEFBA started with a fishing-themed membership drive that encouraged members to “reel in the big one” as they competed for prizes. And the friendly competition paid off.

“[NEFBA members] obliterated their goals for new member growth by recruiting 210 new members in one month alone,” said Cameron Moore, Wilmington-Cape Fear HBA EO and 2021 Membership Cup winner.

Spradley says they’ll stick with that winning membership drive formula and continue to focus on helping new members “find their tribe” in the association with engaging orientation sessions that get new members face-to-face with councils and HBA leaders.

About the NAHB Membership Cup

The NAHB Membership Cup is an annual award to recognize one local home builders association’s exceptional membership efforts.

Several other HBAs were also named as finalists for leading the Federation with the highest percentage in both member recruitment and retention. The 2022 finalists were:

• Greater Montgomery HBA
• Columbus County HBA
• Smoky Mountain HBA
• New River Valley HBA
• Appalachian HBA
• Cumberland County HBA

Learn more about the Membership Cup and the winners of the Grand Awards.