2012 HPBExpo goes to Atlanta

Join us for the 2012 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo in Atlanta, Georgia with educational courses on Feburary 29- March 3 and the expo March 1-3. Each year more than 350 leading HBP manufactures and suppliers exhibit their latest home heating solutions at the expo. Take part in the largest indoor- outdoor living showcase to learn vaulable takeaways like:

• The latest products


• Gain knowledge from your peers


• Network with the pros


• Educational courses

The Expo will also include special events like the annual Vesta Awards, where attendees vote to honor innovation and design.

Then, stay in your seats for a finger-licking southern barbecue buffet dinner. Featuring a main dish of barbecue pulled pork and roasted chicken ranch house style. Fill your plate with fresh cornbread, southern style baked beans and country potatoe salad. And save room for banana pudding and of course Georgia peach cobbler. Tickets should be purchased in advance for $40 per person and can be purchased here. The deadline to order your ticket is February 22.

Due to great success of last year's Disco Party, the night will be topped off by a Honky Tonkin' Industry Party. The party will include live music from the LoCash Cowboys, celebrity look-a-likes, interactive gaming area and plenty of line dancers to keep the night going.
Click here to register so you won't miss out on the 2012 HPBExpo.

NSPS Webinar on Dec. 8

All manufacturers who support the HPBA’s NSPS efforts are invited to attend a Webinar on December 8, 2011, to discuss these efforts, and review our best understanding of the future NSPS timeline.  The webinar will begin with a short briefing by EPA staff, including Gregory Green, Director of the Outreach and Information Division (OID), and Gil Wood, who is the project lead for the NSPS review.  Following their briefing, and after they have left the webinar, manufacturers will hear from our special Legal Counsel, David Menotti, our NSPS technical consultant, Bob Ferguson, and HPBA staff.  The group will discuss all the issues under consideration in this review, and offer an opportunity for members to raise questions about any aspect of this process, or the webinar.

Member Manufactures will need to register for the webinar, and must be current in their NSPS support assessment. Please contact Rachel Feinstein, Feinstein@hpba.org in order to receive instructions for the webinar.  Companies may register as many unique locations as they wish.   If anyone has questions about this list of issues, or issues they hope the EPA covers, prior to the webinar, they are welcome to contact John Crouch, crouch@hpba.org

HPBA is considering another face to face meeting, similar to the January 2011 meeting in Dallas, but will not schedule it until the EPA’s proposal has been released.  

HPBA NEEDS YOUR HELP – NOW!

Last week, Jack Goldman and Allan Cagnoli sent a memo to Affiliates about contacting members of Congress and soliciting industry comments on the Department of Energy’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) on Direct Heating Equipment.

The memo stated that HPBA needs your help now in the fight against the anti-industry rulemakings by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The attached memo will give you the background and directions on how you and your colleagues can help HPBA and the industry fight the DOE rulemakings. 

They are asking every member to do one simple thing:

BY OCTOBER 14 – Send comments to DOE in opposition to this proposed rule on Direct Heating Equipment Rulemaking.

Click here to view the Memo, background information, and instructions on how to submit comments to the DOE.

2012 HPB EXPO Party Sponsorship Opportunities

HPBA is busy planning the 2012 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo scheduled for Feb. 29-March 3, 2012 in Atlanta, GA.

Many of you may be wondering what is being planned for next year's industry party in Atlanta.  Given the smashing success of this year's disco party, HPBA has decided to make next year's event bigger and better with a Honky Tonkin Nashville party on Friday, March 1st from 8:00 - 11:30 pm in hall C1 at the Georgia World Congress Center.  Party plans include great entertainment by the LoCash Cowboys, celebrity look-a-likes, an interactive gaming area with pool tables and dart boards, and plenty of line dancers on hand to bring everyone up to speed on their two step.

When developing the sponsorship program, the committee felt it would be beneficial to build on the manufacturer/exhibitor sponsor opportunities by adding lower priced options and additional manufacturer opportunities.  This was deemed necessary after several exhibitors expressed interest in getting involved and felt the sponsorship opportunities this year were limited and/or out of their price range.  In doing so, the committee agreed that it was extremely important to focus on building the program for manufacturers and exhibitors, but to be careful to not dilute the overall event by having to acknowledge too many supporters.  
 
Attached is the overall sponsorship program that has been sent to our manufacturers for your information. It was decided that due to the unsuccessful affiliate bars, the challenges in having to focus the recognition to the major sponsors, and the need to increase other opportunities for manufacturers, to eliminate the affiliate sponsorships this year.  I know all of you are struggling as we are for revenue these days, so I hope this is good news for all of you.