Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities

What Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities does

Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities (HBAFC), legally Valley Home Builders Association of Wisconsin, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1958 and headquartered at 920 W. Association Drive, Appleton, Wisconsin. It serves hundreds of residential builders, remodelers, developers, and allied housing businesses across the Fox Cities region of Northeast Wisconsin, providing advocacy, consumer exposure, and operational services. The organization is supported by a two-person professional staff led by CEO Heidi Zich (since January 2002) and VP of Marketing & Operations Megan Schlimm (since December 2008), with an elected volunteer Board of Directors providing governance.

HBAFC's core product is the semiannual Fox Cities Parade of Homes, a consumer-facing showcase that drives member exposure through printed guidebooks, a dedicated ticketing website (foxcitiesparadeofhomes.com) running on LEAP Event Tech, and Matterport-based 3D virtual tour services performed in-house. Other member-facing technology includes a searchable online member directory receiving 2,800+ consumer searches per month, a member portal with downloadable Wisconsin-specific attorney-prepared contract templates and lien forms, and a marketing opportunities storefront on Square.

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream model: annual membership dues (Builder/Industry Partner $505 initial/$475 renewal; Additional Employee $120/year), Parade of Homes guidebook and website advertising (full page $1,315; premium placements up to $2,205), event sponsorships (New Year Party $500, TV Commercial $500, e-blast $350, social media $100/post), event entry fees with a $500 compliance deposit, consumer ticket sales, listing fees ($125 per construction listing; $365/year per subdivision), and usage-based creative services ($125/hour). Complementary revenue comes from partner-driven member benefit programs (HomeSphere rebates, National Purchasing Partners group purchasing, Gallagher health insurance, Tickets at Work). The organization's strategic emphasis is on local advocacy through the joint Housing Advocacy Committee with RANW and the Housing Now Coalition (co-founded June 2023), plus workforce development via the Construction Career Exploration program launched with CESA 6 and Inspire WI in October 2025.

Name

Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities

Legal name

Valley Home Builders Association of Wisconsin

Website

https://hbafoxcities.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities is a 501(c)(6) regional trade association in Northeast Wisconsin, serving hundreds of residential builders, remodelers, and allied housing businesses through advocacy, the semiannual Fox Cities Parade of Homes, an online member directory, contract templates, and member benefit programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Industry Trade Association Services

NAICS

Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers (459930), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116), New Housing For-Sale Builders (236117)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative (Co-op) Housing Association Management (BPAJAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

HOA / Condominium Association Management (BPAJAFAH), Master-Planned Community & POA Management (BPAJAHAD)

Keywords

• Home builders association
• Building industry advocacy
• Parade of homes event
• Construction contract templates
• Member directory services

Headquarters

HQ city

Appleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees: Builder and Industry Partner pay $505 initial and $475/year renewal; Additional Employee pays $120/year. Recurring revenue base, non-refundable.
2. Parade of Homes Guidebook Advertising: Print and digital ads sold in the bi-annual Fox Cities Parade of Homes guidebooks. Premium placements (inside front/back cover $2,205, TOC $1,210, page 4 half $1,045), full page $1,315, half page $840, quarter page $560. Some ads run 90+ days on foxcitiesparadeofhomes.com.
3. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship fees across New Year Party ($500), Member Appreciation Lunch, Board of Directors Lunch ($250/lunch), TV Commercial Sponsor ($500), Consumer E-blast ($350), Social Media Sponsor ($100/post), and the golf outing.
4. Parade of Homes Entry Fees: Per-entry fees charged to builders/remodelers to enter homes into the parade (new construction, remodel, under construction, virtual, re-entries). Includes $500 compliance deposit per entry and reduced pricing for members; 3.5% credit card processing fee for non-check payments.
5. Listing & Creative Services Fees: New construction listing on hbafoxcities.com ($125/listing), area subdivision listing ($365/subdivision/year with $135 add-on per Parade event), ad creation ($125/hour), and 3D virtual tour service for residential and showroom properties.
6. Parade of Homes Ticket Sales (Consumer): Tickets sold to consumers to attend the semiannual Fox Cities Parade of Homes (and bulk ticket arrangements for members/distribution). Processed via foxcitiesparadeofhomes.com checkout.
7. Member-to-Member Digital Advertising: Member feature e-blast ($150/e-blast), indoor digital signage on HBAFC office display ($65/month), and various online marketing placements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities (HBAFC) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association that represents residential builders, remodelers, developers, and allied housing businesses in the Fox Cities region of Wisconsin. It delivers value through annual membership, the semi-annual Fox Cities Parade of Homes consumer showcase, an online member directory, Wisconsin-specific contract templates, marketing/advertising programs, advocacy via the joint Housing Advocacy Committee with RANW, and benefit partnerships (Gallagher health insurance, NPP purchasing, HomeSphere rebates, Tickets at Work).

Product overview

HBA Fox Cities operates as a single membership organization (a 501(c)(6) trade association) rather than a unified software product, but it offers a portfolio of distinct services and digital offerings to its 500+ members: a core Fox Cities Parade of Homes event (run twice per year and supplemented by the dedicated foxcitiesparadeofhomes.com site), an online Member Directory and gated Member Login portal (hosted at business.hbafoxcities.com), a Contract Templates & Forms library, a Marketing Opportunities advertising program (bookable via a Square storefront), a Matterport-based Virtual Tour Service for member properties, an in-house Notary Service, a Construction Career Exploration program delivered with CESA 6 and Inspire WI, an annual HBAFC Golf Outing, and a Job Opportunities board. These offerings sit alongside benefit programs such as the HomeSphere rebate program, the National Purchasing Partners purchasing program, the Gallagher health insurance partnership, and Tickets at Work perks, plus advocacy programming through the joint Housing Advocacy Committee with RANW and the co-led Housing Now Coalition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fox Cities Parade of Homes: Bi-annual showcase of new homes in the Fox Cities area, operated through the foxcitiesparadeofhomes.com subsidiary website.
• The Third Story

Products and services

• Fox Cities Parade of Homes Bi-annual consumer showcase event (Fall and Winter) where member builders and remodelers enter new construction, remodel, under-construction, virtual, and re-entry homes; supported by foxcitiesparadeofhomes.com, printed and virtual guidebooks, and LEAP Event Tech ticketing. Tickets are sold to consumers to attend in-person tours or view virtual 3D tours of entered homes.
• Online Member Directory Searchable directory of HBAFC member businesses across 100+ categories (Appliances, Builders & Contractors, Cabinetry, Concrete & Masonry, Plumbing, Roofing, etc.) with mobile-accessible business profiles, address, hours, driving directions, 240-character keyword sets, and mapped pins; receives 2,800+ consumer searches per month.
• Member Login Portal Gated members-only portal where HBAFC members update their profile, post job openings, download contract templates and lien forms, download the HBAFC member logo, enroll in auto-renew, pay renewal, and access the Gallagher health insurance partnership information.
• Contract Templates & Other Forms Attorney-prepared document library for members including New Home Construction Lump Sum and Time & Materials contracts, Remodeling contracts, Change Orders, Release Forms, lien forms (Notice, Waiver, Claim, Satisfaction), prime and subcontractor lien forms, Wisconsin Right to Cure and EPA Renovate Right brochures, and the HBAFC Member Logo.
• Virtual Tour Service Member service in which HBAFC staff conduct on-site 3D photo shoots (Matterport) of residential or showroom properties; delivers a 3D virtual tour, 360° front exterior photo, web links, embed code, and an MLS-compliant link in 2-5 business days. Mileage beyond 25 miles is charged at the IRS rate.
• Marketing Opportunities Program Advertising and sponsorship program offering print guidebook placements (Inside Front/Back Cover $2,205, TOC $1,210, Page 4 Half $1,045, Full Page $1,315, Half Page $840, Quarter Page $560), Parade of Homes sponsorships (TV Commercial $500, Consumer E-blast $350, Social Media $100/post), new construction listings on hbafoxcities.com ($125/listing), area subdivision listings ($365/subdivision/year), indoor digital signage ($65/month), and ad-creation creative services ($125/hour).
• Notary Services In-house notary service provided to HBAFC members by appointment, supporting Signature Acknowledgement, Certified Copy, Jurat/Oath/Affirmation, Certificate of Acknowledgement, and other document types.
• HBAFC Golf Outing Annual HBAFC golf fundraiser supporting local charities and student scholarships in the building trades via the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Donor-advised Fund; offers multiple sponsorship levels and gift basket/monetary donation options.
• Job Opportunities Board Free job listing board where HBAFC members can post open positions (e.g., Office Manager at Virtue Homes) and job seekers can browse industry openings; members access posting via the member login.
• Construction Career Exploration Program Workforce-development initiative run with CESA 6 and Inspire WI featuring panel discussions, breakout sessions with building professionals, and tours of homes under construction to expose students to trades career paths and apprenticeship programs.
• HomeSphere Rebate Program Free cash-rebate program for HBAFC builder members who use certain partner building product manufacturers; administered by HomeSphere with free registration and rebate submission handled through the HomeSphere platform.
• Gallagher Health Insurance Partnership Exclusive health plan offering for HBAFC members (individuals, families, businesses) administered by Gallagher, the world's third-largest insurance carrier; covers Medicare/Medicare Advantage, short-term, major medical, vision, dental, critical care, disability, life, HRA, and supplemental options across all 50 states.
• National Purchasing Partners (NPP) Program Group purchasing program administered by NPP giving HBA Fox Cities members discounted pricing with vendors including Verizon Wireless, Sherwin Williams, Airgas, Office Depot, UniFirst, Ariat Crew, Staples, Cintas, Batteries + Bulbs, PODS, and Tri-Dim filter corporation.
• Housing Advocacy Committee Joint committee with the REALTORS® Association of NE Wisconsin that meets bi-monthly to track, analyze, and recommend positions on local government proposals affecting development and the housing industry; engages with municipalities on workforce housing, stormwater, plat approval, and wetland/floodplain regulation.
• HBA Fox Cities Charitable Fund 501(c)(3) charitable fund held within The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region that supports local charities and scholarships for students pursuing education in residential-construction-related fields, funded by annual HBAFC fundraising events.
• New-home Construction 101 Member education session coordinated by HBAFC and the REALTORS® Association of Northeast Wisconsin and presented by Tom Rooney of Mark Winter Homes; nearly 200 members attended across the 2024 and 2025 sessions, including group breakouts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Continual sales growth attribution from membership networking
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship - joint housing advocacy committee and co-founder of housing now coalition, flagship - co-created coalition, core - charitable fund host and scholarship administrator, core - recurring community partner, minor - recurring community partner, minor - recurring education partner, core - trades career pipeline partner, core - education provider for trades careers, flagship - exclusive health insurance partner for members, core - rebate program partner, core - group purchasing administrator, minor - member discount partner (company code hbafc), flagship - wholly owned subsidiary event/brand, minor - subsidiary website (thethirdstoryfoxcities.com), core - credentialing & safety resource, minor - member testimonial partner and minor - member testimonial and new-home construction 101 presenter.

• REALTORS Association of Northeast Wisconsin (RANW)flagship - joint housing advocacy committee and co-founder of housing now coalitionStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Housing Advocacy Committee meets every other month to discuss regulatory issues facing the industry and meet with municipal officials on local housing and development. Co-coordinated the 2024 and 2025 New-home Construction 101 member education sessions. Co-founded the Housing Now Coalition in June 2023 to raise public awareness of the housing crisis.
• Housing Now Coalition (HNC)flagship - co-created coalitionStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpearheaded by HBAFC and RANW in June 2023 along with an advertising campaign to raise public awareness of the current housing crisis and advocate for creative solutions to provide more housing. Comprised of stakeholders from across Northeast Wisconsin including builders associations, local chambers of commerce, economic development groups, businesses and other trade organizations.
• Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Regioncore - charitable fund host and scholarship administratorStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit that administers the HBA Fox Cities Charitable Fund, supporting donations to local charities including foundations that fund scholarships for students pursuing education in residential construction related fields.
• Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanitycore - recurring community partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner on the Habitat National Home Builders Blitz week (constructing a house in less than five days), Habitat for Humanity Women Build, and Rock the Block campaign. HBAFC members and staff volunteer and donate.
• Rebuilding Together Fox Valleyminor - recurring community partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with HBAFC on volunteer project for Community Benefit Tree and other member volunteer initiatives.
• Community First Credit Unionminor - recurring education partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents the Reality Check mock housing affordability scenario to high school students during member volunteer activities.
• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsinminor - recurring community partnerOthersHBAFC members and guests volunteer preparing food boxes and labeling tea packages.
• CESA 6 (Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6)core - trades career pipeline partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts Residential Construction Career Exploration events with HBAFC to expand access to youth apprenticeship programs and connect students with career-based learning opportunities. October 2025 event featured a panel of building professionals and construction site tours.
• Inspire WIcore - trades career pipeline partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts with HBAFC and CESA 6 the career exploration opportunities and apprenticeship program education sessions for students.
• Fox Valley Technical Collegecore - education provider for trades careersImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner education opportunity for students interested in a career in the trades industry; promoted through HBAFC's Careers in the Trades page.
• Gallagherflagship - exclusive health insurance partner for membersOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerWorld's third largest insurance carrier; provides health plans exclusively for HBAFC members (individuals, families, and businesses) across Medicare, short-term health, major medical, vision, dental, critical care, disability, life, HRA, supplemental, and national pharmacy. Licensed agents work with national insurance carriers across all 50 states.
• HomeSpherecore - rebate program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFREE rebate program providing cash rebates to HBAFC builder members who use certain building product manufacturers on homes they build.
• National Purchasing Partners (NPP)core - group purchasing administratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers HBA Fox Cities' group purchasing program allowing members to purchase goods and services directly from vendors at discounted prices (Verizon, Sherwin Williams, Airgas, Office Depot, UniFirst, Ariat Crew, Staples, Cintas, Batteries + Bulbs, PODS, Tri-Dum).
• Tickets at Workminor - member discount partner (company code hbafc)Strategic or Co-development PartnerProvides HBAFC members discounts on tickets, gift cards, attractions and more via the Tickets at Work program.
• Fox Cities Parade of Homesflagship - wholly owned subsidiary event/brandStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a subsidiary company of Valley Home Builders Association of Wisconsin dba Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities. The semiannual Parade of Homes is the association's flagship consumer event with its own website foxcitiesparadeofhomes.com, ticketing, and guidebook.
• The Third Storyminor - subsidiary website (thethirdstoryfoxcities.com)Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a subsidiary of HBA Fox Cities with its own website.
• Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS) / OSHAcore - credentialing & safety resourceOthersProvides Dwelling Contractor (DCC) and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQC) credentialing, continuing education approval, and LicensE online renewal system. OSHA provides compliance documents on residential construction standards; local Appleton OSHA office (Kelly Bubolz, 920-734-4521) serves as member contact.
• Brian Calmes / Calmes & Rohm Construction LLCminor - member testimonial partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured member testimonial for the Fox Cities Parade of Homes; quoted on the value of Parade participation for sales growth.
• Tom Rooney / Mark Winter Homesminor - member testimonial and new-home construction 101 presenterGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured Parade of Homes participant testimonial and serves as presenter for the joint HBAFC/RANW New-home Construction 101 member education sessions.
• Willie Lausman / Grand Appliance and TVminor - member testimonial partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured member testimonial crediting HBAFC membership for substantial sales growth through networking events.
• Jill Hendricks / Vision Realty & Developmentminor - member testimonial partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured Housing Advocacy Committee member testimonial on the impact of monitoring taxes, impact fees, and building permits. Also lists Glacier Ridge Subdivision on hbafoxcities.com.
• Curt Fritz / Ademino & Associatesminor - member testimonial partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured member testimonial on HBAFC's member-oriented culture and the active board and member focus.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Building Industry Association of Philadelphia: Regional trade association for residential builders and remodelers in the Philadelphia market with comparable programming around consumer home shows, advocacy, and member benefits. Comparable as a similarly structured regional building industry association.
• REALTORS Association of Northeast Wisconsin (RANW): Regional real estate trade association sharing the same Fox Cities geography and serving as HBAFC's joint Housing Advocacy Committee partner. Directly comparable as a member-driven nonprofit trade association serving the residential property industry in Northeast Wisconsin.
• Home Builders Association of Greater Denver: Regional HBA running a similar membership-driven model with consumer showcase events (e.g., Parade of Homes), advocacy, and member services in another U.S. metro. Comparable as a similarly structured regional HBA peer.
• Wisconsin Builders Association: State-level trade association for Wisconsin's home building industry; the most direct comparable organization to HBA Fox Cities at the state tier, representing builders and remodelers across Wisconsin and providing advocacy, education, and member benefits in the same vertical.
• Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association: Regional home builders trade association operating consumer showcase events (Atlanta Parade of Homes), advocacy, and member benefits. Comparable as a similarly structured regional HBA serving builders and remodelers in a U.S. metro area.
• HBA of Greater Austin: Large metropolitan home builders association in Texas running a similar model of membership dues, a signature consumer home parade/showcase, advocacy, and member benefit programs. Comparable as a direct metropolitan HBA peer.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): The national umbrella trade association for the home building industry. Comparable as the broader incumbent in the same vertical — HBAFC members are typically also affiliated with NAHB — providing advocacy, education, and member benefits at national scale.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): National trade association for the commercial construction industry with a regional chapter model providing advocacy, training, and member benefits. Comparable as a broader construction industry trade association that competes for overlapping members in the building trades.

Regional players

• Greater Fox Cities Area Chamber of Commerce: Regional business membership organization serving the same Fox Cities geography with overlapping advocacy, networking, and member-benefit programming. Comparable as a peer regional trade/community organization serving SMB members in the same territory.

Others

• Habitat for Humanity of the Fox Cities: Recurring community partner of HBAFC on the National Home Builders Blitz and Women Build programs. Comparable as a nonprofit partner operating in the same residential construction / housing ecosystem in the Fox Cities region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hbafoxcities
• Instagraminstagram.com/hbafoxcities
• Pinterestpinterest.com/hbafoxcities
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hbafoxcities

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities