The Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Marketing and Home Design Presented by the BSC and Log and Timber Homes Council Excellence in Home Design Category Overview The annual Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Home Design recognize the best home designs in the building systems industry. Each award category reflects the unique nature of the building techniques (log and timber frame, modular and panelized) that comprise the Building Systems Councils. Eligible Projects & Guidelines Residences of all types, including single family homes, model homes/design centers and multifamily projects, are eligible to compete in this category. Eligible projects for entry must have been built in the last 24 months from that date of the call for entries. Entries that have been submitted for previous years competitions are not permitted. Either systems-built manufacturers or builders (or both, depending on membership standing) can be recognized for the Excellence in Home Design category. To win and/or be recognized, manufacturers must be current members of the BSC; builders must be either BSC or NAHB members; AND the criteria for entry, as outlined below, must be met. Awards will be given in each system s respective size and category: Type of Entry: Log Home Manufacturer Timber Frame Home Manufacturer Modular or Panelized Home Manufacturer Systems Builder Associate Member Award Categories: Less than 2,000 sq. ft. Between 2,001 3,000 sq. ft. Between 3,001 4,000 sq. ft. More than 4,000 sq. ft. Single-Family Green Building (see criteria below) Multifamily Multifamily Green Building (see criteria below) Outstanding Sales Model/Design Center All applicants must submit an online application. Payment options may be found after you have filled out your online application. Payment must be accepted to be considered for an award.
Criteria for Entry For consideration, the following must be submitted in the online application form for each Excellence in Home Design entry: A completed Excellence in Home Design online application form and registration payment A project statement of the home/project, highlighting any outstanding features or similarly pertinent information that will assist the judges in the evaluation process. A description of the amount and level of customization performed after the home was assembled on site. For Outstanding Model/Design Center Merchandising entries, an explanation of how the model relates to target and local demographics. How/where the model home is promoted also must be included. Upload of complete set of floor plans or schematics Upload of exterior photography of at least the front and rear elevations of the home Upload of interior photos of the following spaces (by including several angles and detail shots, you will help judges get a complete picture of the home): Living Room/Great Room, Kitchen/Dining Room, Owner s Bedroom/Bathroom In addition to all of the above information, for Green System-Built Home entries, include a statement listing the green features that are incorporated in the home and a description of the sustainable building practices used during design and construction of the home. To apply for an Excellence in Home Design Award, visit 2016 BSC Jerry Rouleau Awards please make sure you are logged into the NAHB site using your username and password. Click the Apply Now next to the corresponding award you are interested in entering. You will then be asked to fill out the online application and submit payment. Keep in mind that a well-presented, complete entry will enable the judging panel to evaluate your submission to its fullest and make the most informed decision possible. Excellence in Marketing Category Overview This category is designed to recognize and award the outstanding efforts made to market the various disciplines within the systems-built industry to consumers, builders, dealers, manufacturers and others. Eligible Projects & Guidelines There are specific categories for BSC manufacturer, associate and builder members in the Excellence in Marketing Awards. Builder Awards are open to any NAHB member building with systems. All entered materials must be directly related to one of the systems represented by the BSC. All entries into Associate Member Categories must be directly related to the advancement of the building systems industry or systemsbuilt products or services. Manufacturer Categories Builder/Dealer Marketing Materials Submissions should be related to the recruitment, retention, or promotion of a manufacturer s builder/dealer network. Examples include but are not limited to builder/dealer recruitment brochures, co-op advertising, or marketing programs designed to promote a builder/dealer network.
Print Ads Entries may include any single printed advertisement. An accompanying marketing statement should include advertisement s target audience, placement, and role in an overall marketing strategy. Presentation of Home Plans This category does not evaluate the plans themselves, but the promotional materials used to illustrate a manufacturer s home design options. Any materials used to market home plans (either to builders or consumers), including any digital and/or print collateral or plan books, may be entered into this category. Presentation of Home Plans (Log and Timber Homes Council) This category is similar to Presentation of Home Plans ; however, entries in this category are limited to members of the Log and Timber Homes Council. Social Media Effort Innovative uses of social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest or custom applications designed to communicate with consumers for event promotions, open houses floor plans/home designs and more. May be a stand-alone effort or part of a comprehensive communications or marketing strategy for an event, program or activity. Entries will be judged on content, engagement and creativity. Website Companies submitting a web site must send the URL and a screen shot, plus a detailed description of the design, functionality, and target audience(s) of the site. By guiding the judges through your web site s key features, they will be able to conduct a more thorough assessment of the site. Associate Member Categories Brochure A printed piece of any size or length that markets building systems products or services to other industry professionals or consumers. An accompanying marketing statement should be included and outline the target audience and marketing strategy. Print Ad Any single printed advertisement that promotes the systems-built concept to the residential construction industry. It can be an ad for trade or consumer press. An accompanying marketing statement should include advertisement s target audience, placement, and role in an overall marketing strategy. Social Media Effort Innovative uses of social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest or custom applications designed to communicate with consumers for event promotions, open houses floor plans/home designs and more. May be a stand-alone effort or part of a comprehensive communications or marketing strategy for an event, program or activity. Entries will be judged on content, engagement and creativity. Website Companies submitting a web site must send the URL and a screen shot, plus a detailed description of the design, functionality, and target audience(s) of the site. By guiding the judges through your web site s key features, they will be able to conduct a more thorough assessment of the site. Newsletter Entries can be in either printed or electronic form and can target either consumers or industry professionals, but they must educate and/or advance the interests of the systems-built industry, while focusing on the Associate members products or services. Both printed and electronic pieces should be accompanied by a detailed description of the intent, target audience, marketing strategy, and frequency of the newsletter. For electronic submissions, a URL or link must be provided. Builder Member Awards Consumer Brochure A printed piece of any size or length that markets building systems to consumers. An accompanying marketing statement should include the target audience and marketing strategy. Print Ads Entries may include any single printed advertisement. An accompanying marketing statement should include advertisement s target audience, placement, and role in an overall marketing strategy.
Social Media Effort Innovative uses of social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest or custom applications designed to communicate with consumers for event promotions, open houses floor plans/home designs and more. May be a stand-alone effort or part of a comprehensive communications or marketing strategy for an event, program or activity. Entries will be judged on content, engagement and creativity. Website Companies submitting a web site must send the URL and a screen shot, plus a detailed description of the design, functionality, and target audience(s) of the site. By guiding the judges through your web site s key features, they will be able to conduct a more thorough assessment of the site. Criteria for Entry For consideration, the following must be submitted for each Excellence in Marketing entry: A completed Excellence in Marketing online application form and registration payment A concise, typed marketing statement of each entry s marketing objective Please upload all supporting marketing materials as needed Keep in mind that a well presented, complete entry will enable the judging panel to better evaluate your submission(s). All applicants must submit an online application. If you need to mail in hard copies of your supporting marketing materials, please mail them to the address below. National Association of Home Builders Attn: Building Systems Councils 1201 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Reap the Benefits of an Award for Excellence Winners will receive their awards at the BSC Excellence Awards ceremony during the Building Systems Showcase conference and trade show held annually in the fall. In addition to exposure at Showcase, the BSC will recognize winners through internal and external promotional vehicles including the Systems-Built Advantage (the BSC s official newsletter), as well as through features stories on www.nahb.org, in NAHB publications, through social media, NAHBNow Blog and in NAHB press releases. Winning companies also will be provided with a press release template highlighting their achievement and are encouraged to announce their company s award through their own marketing efforts. All winners of the Green System-Built Home categories will automatically be entered in NAHB s Green Award program at no additional cost. NAHB s Green Award winners will be announced at IBS in 2016. Finally, winners have the opportunity to create display boards that will be posted on the BSC Awards Wall at the International Builders Show (IBS), an event attended by tens of thousands of builders and developers from across the globe. Fees, General Information & Policies Entry Fees To help save costs, the BSC offers an early-bird discounted entry fee. If your submission(s) is postmarked by the early-bird deadline indicated on the application form, the fee is $80 per entry. All entries postmarked after the early-bird deadline and received by the final deadline will be assessed the regular $95 fee per entry.
Return of Materials & Rights Reserved Policies All submitted materials become the property of the Building Systems Councils of the National Association of Home Builders and will not be returned to entrants unless special arrangements are made prior to submission. The BSC reserves the right to use submissions of winning entries, in whole or in part, in its promotional and publicity materials. Don t Forget! Please review procedures before preparing and submitting your entries. An entry form must accompany each submission. All exhibits (i.e., hard copies of plan books, etc.) must be clearly labeled with your company s name, contact person and phone number/email address. All entries must be accompanied by applicable entry fee at time of submission. Award Judging Each entry will be evaluated by a panel of objective judges selected with guidance from and updates to the BSC Sales and Marketing Committee. The judges will come to the NAHB National Housing Center on a predetermined date to review the submittals. Excellence in Home Design Award winners will be selected on the basis of: Overall design (10-point scale) Buyer appeal (10-point scale)** Exterior treatments (10-point scale) Other structural /design amenities that enhance aesthetics or encourage sales (10-point scale) for a possible total of 40 points. **Model Home/Sales Center Merchandising applicants will be judged on the above criteria and also on the relation of the decorated model to its target demographic. This will be recorded as part of the Buyer Appeal section of the judging form. Excellence in Marketing Award winners will be selected on the basis of: Concept (10-point scale) Layout (10-point scale) Message (10-point scale) Overall design (10-point scale) for a possible total of 40 points.
Judges will use the following benchmarks when attributing point values to each submittal: 10 points = Exceptional The entry was spot-on in terms of innovation, content, presentation/explanation and completeness. It blew me away. 9 points = Excellent The entry was very appealing, clearly articulated and highly effective. I found myself drawn to it. 8 points = Good The entry was attractive and interesting, but could have been presented more clearly or completely. 7 points = Average The entry didn t move me or wasn t effectively presented. I found I didn t have a strong opinion about it either way. 6 points = Below Average The entry was not innovative, appealing, or persuasive. 5 or less = Lacking or Nonexistent Information was missing or inadequately presented. NOTE: The judges have the sole authority to declare the winners of the BSC Excellence Awards. If multiple submittals in a category are award-worthy, the judges have the authority to name Honorable Mention(s) in addition to Winners. If any particular category in which entries are received has at least one submittal that averages a minimum of a 30-point score, an Honorable Mention must be given in that category; however, a Winner does not have to be named. If no entry in a particular category achieves an average score of 30 or above, the judges reserve the right to declare neither a Winner nor an Honorable Mention recipient. Beyond that requirement, the judges determine winners and Honorable Mentions as they see fit using their scoring sheets and the points system defined above. Thank You for Your Participation The BSC highly encourages and appreciates your participation in this annual competition and eagerly anticipates having the opportunity to view the innovative home designs and exceptional marketing ideas that come from the membership of the Building Systems Councils. As an industry, we truly are on the forefront of residential construction. Thank you for taking advantage of this opportunity to showcase your efforts and actively participate in your BSC. Good luck to everyone who enters! Questions regarding the Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Marketing and Home Design, presented by the BSC and Log and Timber Homes Council should be directed to: National Association of Home Builders Attn: Building Systems Councils 1201 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 800-368-5242 x8576, 202-266-8576 E-mail: bsc@nahb.org