The BIAW Bracket Battle: Membership Madness

HBA: Building Industry Association of Washington

Category: Membership

Location: Tumwater, Wash.

Size: State Association

Year: 2024

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) hosted a Bracket Battle, a March Madness-themed membership drive that attracted 444 new members in 2024. This drive was designed to energize recruiters, align with local association efforts and strategically support ROII and Health Trust enrollment. Spanning February to May, the competition pitted 64 members against one another in randomized brackets, with only the top recruiters of builder and associate members advancing each round. The grand prize included a trip to the 2025 International Builders’ Show, while additional incentives kept engagement high.

Compared to the same period the previous year, membership growth surged by approximately 825%, a remarkable increase. The campaign also qualified 24 new members for ROII and the BIAW Health Trust and awarded more than $10,000 in incentives to local associations for their recruitment success. Notably, all recruiters who earned 5-plus points were invited to an exclusive IBS reception in 2025, reinforcing long-term engagement. This fun, competitive and strategic campaign delivered both quality growth and record-breaking member participation.