Top 5 Common Traits of High-Performing
Parade of Homes Events
What separates a good Parade of Homes from a great one? While every market is different, we’ve seen a clear pattern across top-performing events. They’re organized, data-driven, and constantly evolving to improve the visitor experience. Most importantly, they use tools like ParadeSmart to run a smooth operation and make confident decisions.
Here are five common traits we’ve seen in the most successful Parade of Homes events:
1. They Start with a Solid Game Plan
High-performing parades do not wait until the last minute. Many Home Builders Associations begin meeting for their next event several months to a year in advance. These early meetings help set the foundation by deciding on key details such as event dates, how long the event will run, and whether or not tickets will be sold.
From there, the HBA often works with an event organizer who coordinates with ParadeSmart to ensure the website content, ticket types, and builder profiles are added well ahead of time. Organizers also use the Web Manager to access past events, reuse content, and make improvements based on what worked before.
By staying organized and planning early, they avoid bottlenecks and give themselves more time to focus on creating a polished and enjoyable experience for attendees.
2. They Leverage Data to Make Smart Choices
The best events are backed by data, not guesswork. ParadeSmart clients use the Reports and Analytics section of the manager to track everything from ticket sales to ad clicks to visitor behavior.
For example, they monitor:
- How many tickets were scanned at each home
- Which ads received the most clicks
- What demographics are attending
- Which homes received the most votes in People’s Choice awards
By analyzing this information, organizers can improve layouts, target ads better, and make smarter decisions for next year’s event.
3. They Focus on a Seamless User Experience
Top-performing events feel effortless to attend. Everything works the way it should, from buying tickets to navigating the app to finding homes on the map. Visitors are not left guessing where to go next or wondering if they missed something.
Behind the scenes, event organizers work closely with ParadeSmart to keep things smooth by ensuring the app and website are up to date, the content is accurate, and everything loads quickly on mobile devices.
When the experience feels intuitive and reliable, visitors are more likely to enjoy the event, stay longer, and return next year.
4. They Maximize Revenue Without Sacrificing Experience
One of the most powerful features of ParadeSmart is flexible ticketing and pricing. The most effective parade organizers understand how to use pricing to drive attendance and revenue at the same time.
This includes:
- Creating a variety of ticket types to appeal to different groups
- Offering discounts or coupon codes to specific partners or demographics
- Sending complimentary tickets for sponsors or VIPs
- Using the Ticket Profile Reports to see which channels bring in the most engaged visitors
- Selling tickets online, through their branded app, and/or at a physical location
By getting strategic with ticket pricing and distribution, high-performing parades are able to increase revenue while still keeping the event accessible and welcoming for attendees.
5. They Empower Their Builders and Staff
Strong events are built on strong teams. The best event organizers know how to empower their builders and volunteers with the tools and training they need.
Through ParadeSmart, builders receive:
- Automatic login credentials when their profiles are created
- Access to scan and sell tickets at their home through their own branded app
- Visibility into scan stats and traffic to their builder profiles
- Easy access to upload and edit their home information with the manager
ParadeSmart also offers training sessions before your event begins, helping builders, volunteers, and staff get comfortable with using the app and web tools. In addition to live training, we provide tutorial videos and walkthroughs that are easy to follow and always available. When your team feels confident and prepared, everything runs more smoothly on event day.
Photo courtesy of St. George Area Parade of Homes
Success doesn’t happen by accident. The most impressive Parade of Homes events are the result of planning, collaboration, and data-informed decision making. Whether you’re running your first parade or looking to improve on last year’s event, ParadeSmart gives you the tools to manage every detail with confidence.
Ready to take your parade to the next level? Let’s talk.