Hot News
JANUARY 2019
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Let us Know You Are Coming to HPBExpo!
Be on the look-out for the Registration Brochure! Register now online and join thousands of hearth, patio, and barbecue professionals and experience new products in the spotlight of the industry's premiere event. Hotel rooms are available at a discounted rate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Exhibition: March 14-16
Education: March 13-15
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas TX

Promotions

In December, we sent out a press release that encouraged consumers to consider purchasing hearth accessories as creative gift ideas for the holidays. The release was picked up by 156 news outlets with a potential audience of over 81 million. These outlets included Yahoo Finance, the various city Business Journals, and papers like the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Boston Herald and many others throughout the country. 
In early January, we are promoting winter grilling through our Super Bowl Grilling Survey. This is a short, on-line survey that asks questions about why people grill for the Super Bowl. We hope this will encourage people to use their grill for the big game and keep it going all winter. We’ll close the survey on January 23 rd and then release the results over social media and the website. We encourage you to take the survey and to share it with your followers on social media. 
Manufacturers’ Shipment Report Reminder

Data collection is now open for HPBA’s 2019 Manufacturers’ Shipment Report (MSR). Eligible hearth appliance and accessory manufacturers are invited to participate regardless of participation history.

This data provides the association with important information as it pursues its advocacy and promotional work. The data is never disclosed or shared, but participants do receive a set of indices for several product types.

These indices provide information about the growth or decline of various products as well the rate of the change. If you are interested in participating or have questions about the MSR, please contact Cameron Downs  
Membership
Check out the newly redesigned Cost Savings Benefits page on our website, featuring our Affinity Programs exclusive to ALL HPBA members. Don’t forget to kick-off the New Year by paying your invoice and continuing to receive full access to your HPBA benefits. Please contact Diane Dellen  if you have any questions.
We’re pleased to announce that we have a new Affinity Partner for HPBA members. Hub International is the largest privately-held insurance broker in the US and offers discounts on memberships and certifications to HPBA members. They offer programs of property and casualty insurance, bonding, employee benefits and 401 (k) savings. We encourage our members to contact them directly to find out what programs might work for them and what discounts are available. HPBA Hub representatives are Trey Terry and Cody Dinsmore .

Hearth & Home

The January issue of Hearth & Home Magazine includes an interview with HPBA’s Director – Communications, Emily McGee and her experience deploying with Operation Barbecue Relief (OBR) this past September.

Emily and OBR deployed to Wilmington, North Carolina, after Hurricane Florence made its way through the community, leaving thousands with flooded homes and no power. Operation Barbecue Relief continues its efforts to help natural disaster victims across the United States by providing that one hot meal that matters, with friendship and fellowship. Read more about Emily’s experience and OBR’s act of service by clicking below.

Expo Keynote Address

 Mike Holmes, host of HGTV's Holmes on Holmes, Holmes Inspection, and All-American Handyman will give the keynote address at HPBExpo this year, thanks to our sponsor – Napoleon Products.
New Feature for HPBExpo2019 - New Product Spotlight Sessions

Attend a presentation on select New Products in the New Product Pavilion – hear directly from the exhibitor, live in the New Product Pavilion, about its new featured product. A schedule for these presentations will be available in the Show Guide, the Mobile App, and on signage in the Pavilion onsite.

Exhibitor e ntries are now being accepted for the New Product Pavilion . Each product entered will also be an eligible entry for the 2019 Attendees' Choice Awards, in which attendees will vote for their choice of most-marketable new product in both Hearth and Outdoor Living categories. Space is limited. Contact Amy Jackson with questions.

Don't miss out on all the events:
Plan to attend the Tailgate & Big Green Egg Cook-Off Event…Affiliate Receptions...the Vesta Awards…and so much more .

Expo Education - Earn CEUs!
HPBExpo Education will equip you with the knowledge (and the continuing education credits) you need to stay ahead of your competition. This year we have exclusive sessions that can only be heard at Expo.  Review full schedule . Sign-up for your Education Passport during the online badge registration process.

Secure Your Exhibit Space
Check out what people are saying about exhibiting at North America's largest indoor-outdoor living industry showcase. Visit our Apply to Exhibit page for floor plans and contracts or contact Anita Derouin to discuss booth options. Contract by January 16 th to be in the printed Show Guide distributed onsite in Dallas!
Go Big! Get Noticed at HPBExpo 2019
Raise your visibility at Expo with any of the great sponsorship and advertising opportunities available to exhibitors and non-exhibitors. Contact Stacy Bowdring .
Reach Expo Media with the Online Press Room
Exhibitors can now log on to add or update their Online Press Room profile . The Online Press Room is your opportunity to tell HPBExpo media about your brand and products. Don't miss out on this complimentary opportunity! Contact Emily McGee with any questions.
Connect with us on social
IMPORTANT WARNING REGARDING 3rd PARTY HOUSING SOLICITATIONS
Please be advised that unauthorized third-party housing solicitations are currently being made (examples: Global Housing Services, Corp. and Event Accom.) . 

These third-party companies may claim they are with HPBExpo or onPeak; however, they are not affiliated with HPBA or the HPBExpo and have not been authorized by HPBA to contact attendees regarding housing for the upcoming HPBExpo 2019. There have been cases in the past where attendees booked with a third-party company and discovered their reservation was not valid upon arrival. 
T he official housing partner for the HPBExpo 2019 is onPeak . 
Explore All the Big Things Happening in Dallas, TX
For the first time HPBExpo is coming to Dallas with our largest indoor-outdoor living event happening at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center . 

Explore all Dallas has to offer. You've heard of pub crawls and wine tastings – but Dallas takes it to the next level. The Margarita Mile  is a collection of the best and brightest margaritas in the city.

Dallas is also home to a vibrant restaurant scene, numerous museums, and many other attractions that tell the story of the history and culture of Texas. We’ll keep you busy at Expo, but there’s always time to explore the host city and Dallas is worth the effort.
Government Affairs
NSPS Step 2 Extension Legislation Failed to Cross Finish Line

After two years of hard work, the HPBA-supported NSPS Step 2 extension legislation was unable to make it across the finish line. We worked to include our language in a year-end spending bill that looked to be materializing mid-December, but with so many more pressing issues to be ironed out, our legislation was considered to be too big a lift for our legislative champions.

Although we were unsuccessful, this is the farthest any legislation supported by HPBA has gone in the federal legislative process. The bill reached several milestones: (1) passing the House Energy & Commerce Committee; (2) passing the full House; and (3) passing the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee.

More than 400 people sent over 700 emails to about 250 Members of Congress urging them to support extension of the Step 2 effective date. This effort was educational for HPBA and our allies in the Congress and we’ve learned lessons about our effectiveness that will serve us moving forward. We thank everyone who was involved in this effort.
New Legislation Establishing a Federal Changeout Program to be Introduced

At the end of December, Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced legislation (S. 3779), cosponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), that would establish a national grant program to replace older wood and pellet heating appliances with new, EPA-certified appliances. This type of stable, national funding is very much needed by states, regional organizations, and tribes seeking to clean up their air quality and to help consumers afford cleaner, renewable home heating sources.

We look forward to continuing work with Congress and stakeholders in 2019 to address serious technical issues with the bill’s language that prevent virtually all of today’s appliances from being a qualifying replacement for older, non-EPA-certified appliances.

We are working to address these technical issues before the bill is reintroduced this month. Remember, any bill that was not signed into law by the end of last year (the end of the last legislative session) must be reintroduced this year. If you’re interested in learning more about changeout programs and locating a program near you, visit HPBA’s changeout program website . Please contact Rachel Feinstein if you have any questions.  
Two Comment Deadlines to Possible NSPS Revisions
On January 14, HPBA and many manufacturers and dealers filed formal comments on the EPA’s proposal to consider a sell-through period for Step 1 appliances beyond May 15, 2020. EPA has proposed a sell-through for warm air furnaces and hydronic heaters; the agency is also soliciting comments on a sell-through period for wood and pellet stoves. HPBA is working with manufacturers and select retailers to provide comments supporting sell-through for all product categories covered by the 2015 NSPS. EPA will consider these comments and issue a final determination in a few months. In a separate action, EPA has invited suggestions on major issues in the NSPS which might need to be reviewed. The comment deadline for those issues is February 13, 2019. The issues HPBA will raise in these comments are more technical and the consideration of these issues may well stretch into early 2020. For more information contact John Crouch .
Biomass Stove Tax Credit Not Extended
The biomass stove tax credit expired on December 31, 2017. Legislation was introduced last year that would have extended the credit forward for purchases made in 2018, but the package stalled when discussions on the year-end spending bill became much more contentious. HPBA has been talking with energy efficiency advocates for almost a year on how the credit could be strengthened ( i.e. , increasing the credit amount and clarifying the efficiency requirement) and hopes to see a package introduced this year. Visit HPBA’s website for tax credit information and updates. Please contact Rachel Feinstein if you have any questions.
HPBEF
The American Red Cross will be onsite at HPBExpo in Dallas to deliver a special three-hour CPR/AED training class. There is still space, but pre-registration is required. If you need CPR/AED training to satisfy an OSHA-mandated job requirement or you just want to know how to keep your loved ones safe, the American Red Cross has world-class instructors to ensure that you get the latest information and quality instruction. The training will be held on Friday, March 15 th , at 9:00am – 12:00pm. There is a $29 registration fee in addition to the purchase of an Education Passport. For complete details or to register, click below.
In Memoriam
We note with sadness the passing Robert Dudley Vanderminden Sr. His grandfather founded the family business, the Telescope Cot Bed & Novelty Company in 1903. It later became the Telescope Casual Furniture Company, and Bob spent 60 years transforming the company and eventually the entire casual furniture industry with innovative ideas. He served as CEO from 1989 until 2001, when he was named Chairman of the Board. He will always be remembered for his contributions to the industry and the innovations he and his family’s company introduced to the industry. We join with his family and friends in mourning his passing. His full obituary can be read here .
ADDRESS UPDATE
New from the post office – for mailed payments to HPBA, the post office has changed the format of our address, effective immediately.

The new address is P.O. Box 424014, Washington DC 20042-4014

After the end of this year, any payments sent to our old address will be returned to sender. We apologize for this inconvenience.

All other correspondence can continue to be sent to our physical address below: