Hot News
NOVEMBER 2020
Save the Date:
HPBExpo Rescheduled for June 23-26 in Louisville, Kentucky!
We’ve listened to our attendees and exhibitors. We’re tracking what the experts are saying and we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone Expo. HPBExpo was already scheduled to go to Louisville in 2023, so we know that the city is a good fit for our show in June 2021.

For more info about this decision, please read our press release.
Exhibit Booth Space Assignments
Floor plans are currently in development for the Kentucky Exposition Center. Current exhibitors can expect booth reassignments to begin by early December. Companies currently not contracted for exhibit space can request to be put on a waiting list for new assignments that will occur after current exhibitors have been rebooked. Please direct any questions you may have to Amy Jackson or Anita Derouin.
Registration and Housing

So, what do you need to do now?

  • If you already registered for the Expo that was planned for March in Nashville, you will receive a message in the coming weeks with details about your transferred registration for the June Expo.
  • A notice will also be sent in early December announcing when registration will re-open for Expo. Any registration questions can be directed to Rachel Pratt.
  • Anyone who reserved hotel rooms should have received a cancellation email from onPeak. A notification will go out as soon as housing is open for rebooking.

Questions regarding housing can be directed to Tanya Karkiewicz.

Details on the show will continue to be updated at HPBExpo.com, so be sure to check back in the coming months for updates on new procedures and plans as we continue preparing for next year.
Louisville Attractions to Check out
Horse racing, bourbon, baseball bats; there is something in Louisville for everyone! Start planning your trip by checking out all the things to do in Louisville (Bourbon City®).
Follow HPBExpo on social media
Government Affairs
HPBA Post-Election 2020 Report
A scenario that many political analysts had predicted long before November 3 has played out—we do not know the outcome of the Presidential race days after Election Day and are not likely to know for at least a bit longer. Former Vice President Biden leads President Trump narrowly (253-213) in the race to secure the requisite 270 Electoral College votes need to win and appears to be inching closer to victory as more votes are counted. Most reports had President Trump leading in Alaska, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania in the days immediately after the election; the Georgia and Pennsylvania races may have tipped slightly in Vice President Biden’s favor in just the last 24 hours. Biden has many paths to 270, whereas Trump needs to carry several states where he is now trailing to be reelected. The votes that are now being counted are mail-in ballots that generally favor Biden. Even after all states have counted and certified the votes, the Trump administration has indicated that legal challenges will likely be coming. So, keep your seat belt buckled…we may not have certainty on the result for quite some time.

The following is a report on the status of Presidential, Senate, and House races. A more detailed policy impact analysis will be put together in the coming weeks as election results are finalized.
HPBA to Hold Two November Appliance Section Meetings
HPBA will be holding two Section meetings this month for manufacturing and test lab members:

  • Solid Fuel Hearth Appliance Section Meeting – Tuesday, November 10th, 2:00 – 5:00 pm EST
  • Gas Hearth Appliance Section Meeting – Tuesday, November 17th, 2:00 – 5:00 pm EST

Section members can register to attend by contacting Chris Conner. Agendas and other materials will be posted on HPBA’s Products Sections page. If you have questions about either meeting, please contact Ryan Carroll.
HPBA and NPGA Working Together Through Regional Affiliates
In response to the growing number of jurisdictions looking to limit or ban gas installations in new construction, HPBA has stepped up our collaboration with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). NPGA and HPBA pulled together joint regional meetings between our Affiliate Executive Directors and the staff of the 38 propane affiliate organizations. Both organizations are gearing up for a busy new year, anticipating state level legislation (both pro-gas and anti-gas) in many states. HPBA will cover more details of our collaboration at the Gas Hearth Appliance Section meeting for manufacturers. For questions, contact John Crouch.
Sell-Through for Step 1 Products Still Not Settled
With northern parts of the U.S. and Canada well into the heating season, we know how busy everyone is with customers. Despite HPBA efforts, EPA still has not yet published a Final Rule providing any length of sell-through for Step 1 products. It is currently still illegal to sell a Step 1 product. The sell-through period would come into effect only if and when a Final Rule is published in the Federal Register. Additionally, any sell-through period would only run through the end date laid out in the rulemaking (in the proposal, this date was November 30, 2020, but that sell-by date could change). Now that the election is over, we caution readers that it is extremely unlikely that sell-through will be finalized.

If you would like to receive a text message from us when we receive any definitive news about sell-through, send the word “NSPS” to 313131.

Be sure to check out our retailer NSPS toolkit and FAQ page for additional resources. Many questions you may have are likely answered on our FAQ page. Please contact Rachel Feinstein if you have any questions.
ICC Accepting Proposals for 2024 Codes
The International Code Council (ICC) is now accepting change proposals for the 2024 code cycle. Of interest to HPBA in this round are the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) and portions of the International Residential Code (IRC): Chapters 12-33 and Appendices G, I, N, and P. HPBA requests that any suggestions or proposals be submitted to Eric Adair. Comments are due by January 11, 2021. Please contact Eric if you have questions or would like more information.
Expo Education Spotlight
Instructor: Grant Falco - Falco's Spokane
Everyone wants to have a service department that’s effective and profitable, but building it is harder than it sounds... How do you find the right people? What happens in the offseason when things slow down? How do you know if you’re making the right investment?  
 
This class will teach you why it’s absolutely necessary (and wildly profitable) to invest in a top- notch service team. You’ll learn:


  1. How to hire service techs the right way.
  2. The secret pricing model that will change your service team forever.
  3. What it takes to hold performance accountable week in and week out.
 
Don’t settle for a service department that trudges along (like most companies do). Instead, learn to see things in a different way and build out a service profit center that scales up year after year and leaves your competitors in the dust.
 
Mark your calendar for HPBExpo in Louisville, Kentucky next June. You can sign up for “Building a Service Department: "The Right Way”, or any of the other Expo classes, as soon as registration re-opens.
A Resource for Retailers
Have you checked out our new Retailer Toolkit? This webpage has helpful tips and links for every retailer. We have webinars hosted by experts in marketing, selling, and even how to operate safely during a pandemic. We’ve got tips on how to talk to a reporter, templates for press releases, and links to information about advocating for your store and the industry. Do you have questions about research, or how to save money from our Affinity Partners? You’ll find it on this new webpage. We are eager for feedback or suggestions, so please reach out to Diane Dellen with your ideas.
Reminder!
HPBA has a new banking relationship with Bank of America, and our SunTrust accounts are now closed. For wiring information, please contact Robert Washington.

NEW PAYMENT ADDRESS:
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
P.O. Box 412397
Boston, MA 02241-2397