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Home > References & Testimonials |
- References & Testimonials
- "...above and beyond..."
PARADE/TOUR OF HOMES LETTERS OF REFERENCE
"After our research, we found that E&M Consulting had the proven experience that we needed to help our association with our entire event."
"Have not had one complaint - HOORAY!"
Letter of Reference from Beverly W. Rovertson, Tangipahoa Home Builders Association
"The incredible energy, innovation, and quick thinking of the staff at E&M made all this happen and this small association would never have pulled this off without them."
"Every action and decision they make is obviously dedicated to enhancing the overall event."
Letter of Reference from Don Glays, Executive Director Mid South Parade
"E&M is unique that they strictly work with and understand Builder Associations and more importantly understand the members and how to work with them."
"We strongly recommend E & M Consulting, Inc., a professional, dedicated team who will enhance the sophistication and prosperity of your Parade of Homes."
Letter of Reference from Jon Luther, Executive President, HBA Greater New Orleans
In 2004 E&M Consulting (E&M) came to Northeast Ohio and completed a professional subdivision map for our four associations. It did not require any work on the part of the associations and we made substantial non-dues revenue as well as providing a much needed service. The maps have been very well received by our members and the home buying public and we are on schedule to renew the projects this fall. In 2006, our four associations combined our scattered site parades into one. This provided much needed regionalism in a down turning market. Each Executive Officer and their respective Presidents formed the NE Ohio Parade of Homes Committee. We interviewed many local marketing and publishing companies including IMG (represents Tiger Woods as well as events like the Grammy’s) and at the last minute we brought E&M in to pitch the project. All of us were currently utilizing tabs in our local newspapers and knew that that was not the answer to market and grow this first ever event. E&M after one day of preparation came in with a solid budget and complete knowledge of what other Builder Associations across the country were successful at. We were impressed that E&M had an actual budget and plan versus an hourly charge for their services. E&M exceeded our expectations in every aspect and helped make this into a $750,000+ event that will grow over the years. What E&M did was unprecedented. E&M is unique that they strictly work with and understand Builder Associations and more importantly understand the members and how to work with them. We all know that just because members don’t call you back doesn’t mean that they aren’t interested. We can’t say enough about the level and quality of service that E&M provided for the committee, members, builders and sponsors. Our event sponsor ($55,000) has already verbally committed for next year. We went through the “they aren’t local” from some of the members. We currently work with all of our local member companies on different events and publications and know that they couldn’t have provided this type of result. E&M came with the whole package while maintaining a level of service that only smaller companies can provide. You will find that E&M is not a flashy company, but their results are. We strongly believe that it is in the best interest of your association, members, the event and builder participants that you consider working with E&M. We can’t promise the same results for your events, but know that E&M will not leave one stone unturned or “money on the table”. They care as much about the event as any of us on the committee. We are honored that the committee as well as our Presidents who chaired this first event asked us to write this letter of reference on their behalf. Please contact any of us below with any questions. Sincerely,
HBA of Greater Cleveland ncoffman@hbacleveland.com 216-447-8700
Rocco Fana All 4 Associations EXCEEDED our budgets for non-dues revenue from this event in the first year! Budget: $750,000+ raised for the event E&M increased money sponsorships by 257% to $211,500 for the Event. (Based upon all 4 scattered site parades in 2005!) E&M raised the most amounts from one sponsor for any event ($55,000) Raised sponsors that have never participated in Builder Association publications or Events. E&M contracted $170,000 in advertising for the Plan Book. E&M contacted every builder member for a parade entry two weeks before the deadline, and helped increase from 114 homes to 162 homes. The event budget increased to over $750,000 with the help of E&M. E&M did not “nickel and dime” us on additional charges and stuck with the original contract without any additional charges. Media: Over $100,000 in free media E&M contacted and met with each local paper, TV, and Radio groups to negotiate the best media deal from each. Each media outlet came with great offers, and we literally received better media deals than any of the 4 Builder Associations have every received before. Because E&M did not let on that they would not be taking a “media buy commission”, we received the net price, which saved us an additional $30,000+ on our rates. Because of E&M’s media prep work, we will be able to use these rates and deals for other events! E&M also negotiated 3 Media sponsors (valued $75,000 comped media benefit) Distribution and foot traffic: Builders report increased foot traffic E&M negotiated with local gas stations and key sponsors for distribution of the plan books. In our initial Parade builders recap, most builders have stated that the foot traffic was up dramatically. (One of our committee members sold a house the last day).
E&M created a FTP site for all of our builders to upload their information. E&M registered all like domain names for the Event. E&M created and is hosting the Parade website – www.neohioparade.com We had 12,243 hits during this first time Event. E&M created the win a free grill promotion that captured vital information for both the sponsors as well as the builders. i.e. are you looking for a mortgage? Would you like a free water analysis? Are you looking for a real estate agent? Are you looking to build now, 3 months, a year, etc.? Publications: Award winning E&M created brochures that were handed out at Home Show Events throughout the year leading up to the Parade. E&M created an 8-page mini plan book to promote the industry, sponsors, and the builders. It was inserted into all the local papers, and many of the builders commented that consumers had that in their hand when entering the homes. E&M created a 170 page full color, perfect bound award winning Plan Book, which was distributed throughout the region, and at each parade home. Other Services: Customer Service is unprecedented E&M is an award winning cartographic company – that means that the maps were accurate and digitally created. E&M also put a detailed individual map on each builder page! E&M called and received sign offs from ALL 162 builder entries for their pages – ensuring that consumers found their way to the homes and had accurate information. E&M called and received sign offs from ALL advertiser and sponsors proofs. E&M attended key committee meetings with updates. E&M helped create the sponsorship program. They arranged a focus group made up of past sponsors for HBA events, and molded the NE Ohio Parade sponsorships from it. Throughout the whole process, E&M kept in contact with the sponsors to make sure that they felt that they were receiving what was promised. E&M was flexible, from adding a last minute entry a week before print, to extending the map further to show one house 40 miles away from another. |
