Refreshed HPBExpo Hits Five-Year Attendance High 

By HPBA

Consumers’ expectations are changing when it comes to their homes, and the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo—the largest showcase for the hearth and outdoor living industry—made some impactful changes this year, too. Over 3,500 specialty retailers (the largest group in five years) gathered at Nashville’s Music City Center from February 12 to 15, where they connected with their community and discovered new products and insights to help them deliver the smart, connected spaces consumers are looking for today.

“We started developing the next evolution of HPBExpo by really listening to our members and asking what they need from the show to keep their businesses growing and thriving,” said Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) President and CEO Jill McClure. “We learned that, during the year, it’s easy for retailers to feel like they’re going at it alone. With that in mind, we kept the best elements of HPBExpo and revamped the rest to make it a truly invigorating, community-focused experience.”    

From the opening session, it was clear that this wasn’t the HPBExpo of yesteryear. Leaders from some of the industry’s trailblazing companies shared how they’re adapting to change in the retail industry during a fast-paced keynote with an innovative format. Three keynotes were connected by commentary from Fire Time Network Co-Founder Tim Reed and with opening remarks from McClure. The quick pace of the opening session covered a variety of topics, including: 

• The Talent Pipeline: HPBExpo Keynote Speaker and Vice President of Human Resources at Hearth & Home Technologies, Sarah Wellcome, touched on the need for skilled labor and how business leaders in the hearth, barbecue, and outdoor industry can secure the future of the workforce. Wellcome shared personal narratives about how partnering with middle and high school educators to inform students about careers in skilled trades, participating in youth skills training programs that offer students credit for work, and practicing other recruitment tactics have helped build awareness of jobs like fireplace installer and service technician. She also encouraged those looking for talent to evaluate their “employment brand” and think through how their company appears to jobseekers. 
• Profitability: In his keynote, Travis Industries’ Vice President of Sales, Kip Rumens, shared tried-and-true tips for improving profitability in 2024. His advice included reaching customers through social channels by humanizing your brand (showcasing employees on Facebook, etc.) and posting enticing product images and videos (like a fireplace in action) on Instagram. Rumens also touted the importance of going the extra mile for customers, ensuring your company name accurately reflects your current offerings, and taking a hands-on approach to managing online reviews. 
• Tomorrow’s Consumer: Napoleon’s Co-CEO Chris Schroeter and Global VP of Marketing Garry Scott dug into projections for consumer behavior in the next five years and shared their three-pillar approach for evaluating business decisions. Leveraging a framework of, “our planet, our health, and our home,” Schroeter and Scott talked through ways to think about things like how much of a showroom is dedicated to on-trend home products and ways to incorporate sustainability in operational procedures and product offerings. Taking those three pillars into consideration helps industry retailers ensure they’re aligned with the preferences of tomorrow’s consumer. 

The need for a shift in mindset—from beating out the competition to contributing and ensuring a stronger future for the industry as a whole—was also a central theme in the opening session. That theme carried through to another new feature at HPBExpo 2024: Retailer Round Tables. These group discussions focused on topics suggested by HPBA retail members and provided opportunities for solving problems, sharing successes, and developing relationships. Participants discussed a wide range of topics, including staffing, technology, and marketing. 

“We wanted to give retailers multiple ways to collaborate with each other and spark new ideas they can take back to their businesses,” said McClure. “The new Retailer Round Tables proved to be popular, which shows us that this is the kind of thing our community is looking for. It was incredible to see participants offer up their personal wins and lessons learned during these dynamic discussions.” 

HPBExpo attendees also had opportunities to explore topics and receive training tailored for their specific roles through the free HPBExpo education program, provided by the National Fireplace Institute (NFI). Over 40 sessions were led by highly respected industry experts, and NFI and Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) exam prep and certification opportunities were available on-site. Regarded as a hallmark of the event, this year’s program featured new, top-quality content covering timely topics in retaining staff members, building a long-term customer base, and marketing in digital spaces, as well as popular manufacturer-specific training for retailers. 

“New” was also the name of the game on the HPBExpo show floor. Over 300 top brands showcased their latest products, creating an immersive experience where the hottest trends in hearth, barbecue, and outdoor living came to life. The Expo also included the launch of Outdoor Demonstration Day. Enticing smells of barbecue filled the air as brand representatives fired up cutting-edge grills and appliances and served food samples to attendees. The three-hour mini burn-a-thon featured innovations from: 

• Blackstone Products
• Brisk It Grills
• Eno/La Plancha
• HPC Fire Inspired
• Lakeview Appliance—Ofyr
• Meater
• Nomad Grills
• StoveTeam International
• Timber Stoves
• V-Forge
• Warming Trends
• Vulcan Group

Attendees had the opportunity to cast their votes for their favorite products in the New Product Pavilion. Winners of the Attendees’ Choice Awards were Kozy Heat Fireplaces in the hearth category for their Nordik 60 Linear fireplace, which features a modern feel and realistic flames; Travis Industries in the outdoor living category for their 44-inch Chat Table by Fire Garden, a complete fire table that’s propane ready; and Coyote Outdoor Living in the barbecue category for their Duomo wood-fired outdoor oven, which offers an elevated way to experience homemade pizza reminiscent of traditional Italian pizzerias. 

Winners were announced during the Ultimate Awards Show, where the celebration of innovation continued with the new HPBA Industry awards and the announcement of numerous winners, including Retailer of the Year Joan Nutting, Emerging Leader Lawrence “LJ” Johnston, Advocate of the Year Joel Etter, and the Affiliate of the Year Northeast HPBA. 

The new industry awards program was created by member volunteers and the HPBA staff working together to outline the criteria for each of the new awards, then turning to HPBA members to submit nominations. Nominations were then scored according to the outlined criteria to determine the winners. 

The Hearts on Fire Industry Party kicked off immediately following the awards ceremony, and retailers and manufacturers enjoyed a true taste of Nashville with a “live party playlist” that featured local musicians. 

HPBExpo’s blend of favorite features and fresh offerings designed to meet the needs of the specialty retailer community resulted in one of the most successful years in the event’s 45-year history. Plans are already in the works to build on that success and continue providing valuable learning, connecting, and product discovery opportunities at the next HPBExpo, which will be held in New Orleans from March 26 to March 29, 2025. 

If your business includes hearth, barbecue, and outdoor living products, mark your calendar and plan to join retailers and manufacturers from across the country in the Big Easy next spring! Sign up for updates at hpbexpo.com.