HPBExpo26: A Place to Invest in Your People, Strengthen Your Business, and Build Your Team’s Future
HPBExpo26: A Place to Invest in Your People, Strengthen Your Business, and Build Your Team’s Future
HPBExpo26 takes place March 18 through 21, 2026 in New Orleans. Exhibits run March 19 through 21.
HPBA
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If you’ve been in this industry long enough, you know that success doesn’t only come from product margins or showroom layouts. It also comes from people: the installer representing your name in a customer’s home, the service technician who shows up when something isn’t working, and the next generation learning what this craft really means. For many owners, the greatest challenge isn’t finding work. It’s preparing a team that’s ready for it.
HPBExpo26 brings education forward as one of the strongest investments a leader can make in the people who carry the work forward every day. Taking place March 18 through 21 in New Orleans, HPBExpo26 places learning, training, and professional growth at the heart of the experience.
Every badge includes access to business education, technical training, manufacturer-led learning, and certification review opportunities. The intent is simple: Help teams return home more confident, more capable, and better prepared to serve customers with excellence.
“HPBExpo26 reflects our industry’s commitment to developing people at every stage of their careers,” said Jill McClure, President & CEO of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA). “When our workforce is well trained, businesses perform better; customers receive safer, higher-quality service; and owners and teams are positioned for long-term success.”
A Place Where the Industry Sharpens Its Craft
As the industry is facing more complex installations, greater scrutiny from inspectors, customers who expect clear answers, and the need for new technicians to develop their skills, HPBExpo26 has built an education program to reflect the needs of the industry.
At HPBExpo26, education doesn’t live behind closed doors. It’s built directly into the show floor and Outdoor Burn, surrounding attendees with live products, demonstrations, and conversations that feel connected to the real-world field in which they work.
A technician can listen to a session on troubleshooting, walk a short distance to a burn display, and ask a manufacturer’s team to run through a scenario. A business owner can attend a leadership class, then continue the discussion with peers who navigate the same staffing challenges, service backlogs, and operational pressures.
The 2026 education lineup features a new Business Bootcamp series, as well as the return of the outdoor classroom at the Outdoor Burn.
The Business Bootcamp series is designed for leaders responsible for growing their businesses and supporting their teams. The six-class sequence runs Thursday through Saturday and explores finance, staffing, operations, customer experience, and long-term resilience. Speakers include Barbara Brennan of 2B Better, covering succession and exit planning for small business owners, and Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill of FutureNow Marketing, covering marketing strategies that strengthen service business performance.
The Technical Track supports installers, technicians, and service professionals with training focused on servicing and troubleshooting products while staying current with safety standards and best practices. Sessions include “Gas Piping for Outdoor Installations” with Chris Wolfe of Ray Murray, “Outdoor Fire Pit and Table Installation Tips” with Chuck Parsons of HPC Fire Inspired, and “Level 1 and Level 2 Inspections” with Ryan Hall of Winston’s Chimney (which highlights how a structured inspection process can transform your sales approach).
The General Business Track offers sessions for owners, managers, sales teams, and customer service staff who keep operations running. The program provides practical insight across core business areas, including marketing, finance, capital resources, and day-to-day operations. Sessions include “HR Best Practices for Retail and Service Companies” with Amy Bakay of HR NOLA, “Hiring and Inspiring Gen Z” with Matt Bradley of WhyFire and Fire Time Media, and “Legal and Tax Strategies” with Larry Oxenham of the American Society for Asset Protection.
Across every session, the theme remains clear: Give people tools they can use the moment they step back into their shops, trucks, and offices.
Retailer Roundtables: Conversations That Reflect Real Life
For many owners, some of the most meaningful hours at Expo happen during Retailer Roundtables.
Held on Wednesday, March 18, from 2:30 to 4:30pm, Retailer Roundtables bring HPBA member retailers and member service companies together in small, facilitated groups for candid, honest conversation.
Facilitators include industry voices such as Ben Holt of Embers Custom Fireplace & Gas Products, Carol Tweed of Mace Energy Supply, Jeff and Jennifer Harper of Hot Stuff Hearth & Home, Laurie Pirini of Warm Solutions, Mark Taylor of Acme Stove, Melissa Womack of CDR Fireplaces, and Ryan O’Donnell of Hearth & Home. Discussions will dig into operations and efficiency, staff development and culture, business growth and strategy, and technology and innovation, tackling the real issues owners are navigating right now.
Certification and CEUs Without Leaving Your Team Behind
Training your people often means time away from work, separate travel costs, and scattered schedules. HPBExpo26 brings certification review and testing together in one place, allowing teams to prepare and test in a single trip.
The National Fireplace Institute will host review courses and optional exams for Gas, Woodburning, Pellet, and Hearth Design Specialist certifications. The Chimney Safety Institute of America will offer its Certified Chimney Sweep review course and exam, providing technicians with an opportunity to learn together and earn meaningful credentials.
Manufacturer Training: Learning Directly From the People Who Build the Products
Another cornerstone of HPBExpo26 is Manufacturer Training Sessions, where dealers, technicians, and installers learn directly from manufacturers.
Companies including Dimplex, Empire Comfort Systems, HearthStone, ICC-RSF, Kozy Heat, Mendota Hearth, HPC Fire Inspired, Ortal, Travis Industries, and others will lead focused sessions on installation techniques, troubleshooting behavior, product evolution, and real-world performance.
Attendees can ask specific questions, walk through unusual scenarios, clarify assumptions, and talk about field realities. For many teams, these hours reshape how confidently they approach the products they work with every day.
Why HPBExpo26 Is a Must-Attend for the Industry
The emphasis on education at HPBExpo26 reflects an industry ready to grow, adapt, and lead.
Workforces are changing. Standards are evolving. Customers expect deeper communication and technical clarity. And many owners are trying to prepare the next generation while still carrying the full weight of today’s operations.
Training has become more than skill development. It’s become the stewardship of people, knowledge, safety, and the industry’s legacy.
For a business owner, bringing your team to Expo isn’t an expense—it’s a commitment to growth and excellence. To the people who represent your name in every conversation, every job, and every home they enter.
At HPBExpo26, your staff can earn CEUs, prepare for certification, sharpen technical skills, build confidence, and return home united around the work ahead.
That kind of investment pays dividends long after the show floor closes.
Education is included with your badge registration, and registration is now open. Explore program schedules, speaker details, certification opportunities, and Retailer Roundtable information at hpbexpo.com.
HPBA
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based just outside of Washington, D.C., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms, and allied associates for all types of fireplace, stove, heater, barbecue, and outdoor living appliances and accessories. HPBA provides professional member services and industry support in government relations, events, market research, education, certifications, consumer education, and industry promotion.
