Hearth Insight
April 2022
HPBA Region 9 - Annual Meeting 2022
May 12, 2022
Virtual via Zoom

Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022, Add to calendar.

Time: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Platform: Zoom

Fees:
Classroom - $100 (Use this category if you will be showing the conference to a group of people in a classroom setting)
HPBA Member - $40 (Attendees who work for an NWHPBA of OHPBA member company)
Non-Member - $65 (Attendees who do not work for a company that is an HPBA member)
Sponsors - $250 Benefits include:
  • Company logo/link to your website on all NWHPBA & OHPBA communications.
  • Company logo/link to your website on both NWHPBA & OHPBA's websites.
  • Company logo on slides during the virtual conference.
  • Interview time during the virtual conference.

Register: Click here to register!
Zoom in with us:  All attendees will receive the log-in for the Zoom meeting. In Zoom you can see the other attendees and the speakers, chat with each other, and pose questions. 

Questions:
Katie Bohocky, NWHPBA Executive Director, nwhpba@aminc.org
Harvey Gail, OHPBA Executive Director, harvey@vannattapr.com
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Legislative Update
from our NWHPBA Lobbyist, Carolyn Logue
STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL EFFECTIVELY BANS NATURAL GAS IN NEW COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

On Friday, April 22nd, the Washington State Building Code Council ignored the fact that the State Legislature had refused to ban natural gas connections and instead went ahead with the 2022 Commercial Energy Code changes opposed by NWHPBA and other builder groups. The newly adopted commercial energy code prohibits the use of fossil fuel-powered heat pumps and water heaters in new commercial structures. It also requires electrical outlets and connections anywhere a natural gas appliance is installed. NWHPBA sent letters and testified in opposition, but all opposition was virtually ignored. In addition, political machinations by Governor Inslee led to a council that was handpicked to enact a gas ban agenda without concern for the Legislature and what policies were adopted at that level.  

Intertwined with the SBCC actions was an attempt by Governor Inslee to thwart the standard member selection process (state law requires certain seats to be appointed from selections provided by specific groups) by appointing his own selections for the residential and commercial contractor positions rather than selecting from a list supplied by the Building Industry Association of Washington and the Associated General Contractors. SEE THE ARTICLE LINKED HERE FOR A SUCCINCT EXPLANATION OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

NWHPBA will now work with our coalition to preserve natural gas in residential construction. The proposals in the commercial space are also being proposed for the updated residential energy code. We will need all hands on deck to defeat these proposals in residential construction. The impact on businesses like yours will be devasting in addition to hurting Washington citizens’ ability to have efficient heating sources, particularly for backup heating purposes.
President's Message
April Showers Huh! How about April Snowfalls!!!!! Nothing like Spring Boost by the Weather Gods. I hope this letter finds all our Members in good health and Happy Spirits.
 
Expo 2022
In all reports, it appears Expo 2022 in Atlanta turned out a success. Feedback has been great, and attendance reached above what was expected. Yes, many Fireplace and Stove manufacturers were not in attendance, however, the Outdoor products and new indoor sporting games filled the gaps. For the first time at Expo, we saw Billiards, Foosball, and Shuffleboard tables for a new off-season sale item.
Now the Focus starts on the 2023 Expo in Louisville, Ky. March 10th thru 13th 2023. Mark your calendars and get ready to get back to Full-Blown Trade Show Festivities!!!! Louisville will be a new City we have not been to before. They will have everything from great Music to Bourbon to Baseball Bats!! Get signed up early and show our great industry the support it deserves.
 
HPBA PODCAST
In these monthly Presidents' messages, I try not to be too redundant but there are items of interest in our industry that you may or may not hear about and I want to bring attention to and urge you to take advantage of them. One such item is the New Podcast offered by Nat ’l HPBA called HPBNA HotCast! debuted this month with our new Nat ‘l Chairman of the Board Henry Hall speaking on the future of the HPBA and the process the HPBA is going through right now as we are searching for a New CEO for HPBA. Yes, Jack Goldman is retiring after many years of dedicated service and leading the Hearth and Patio Industry thru many challenges. There has been a committee formed to search and select the most qualified candidate to fill Jack’s shoes. This task is scheduled to be done by Oct. 1st of this year.
 
The monthly Podcast HotCast mentioned earlier will be a once-a-month Item that can be received on Apple Podcast or Spotify and will feature pertinent HPBA information that all members should find relevant to their business. Please sign up and follow and go back to earlier and get caught up.
 
Employees and Education
In speaking with many Dealers and Reps this past month it is very clear our Industry is in dire need of two things! First, more employees do to losing employees thru Covid or needing more do to Covid! Along with new employees comes the Second Item needed, Training!
 
How to Find Employees
Employee acquisition in our industry has been a challenge forever. Recently I attended two different Home Builders seminars where special guest speakers introduced a possible solution to installer and technician labor supply is to contact local Building Associations and local High Schools who are finally starting back up vocational training for students and young adults 18-25. They are offering up students that are wanting to go into the home construction fields and are broadly training them in framing, electrical, roofing, plumbing, and HVAC. All these trades combined are what would make a great installer or service tech. These programs also offer the opportunity for Hearth Businesses to offer up apprenticeship programs for these students to see if our industry fits their likes. By using these programs, you could possibly end up with the first pic of the best candidates coming out of High School for your future workforce. Please call me for further details or discussion. Scott Ongley 360-606-6731 anytime.
 
Education
Continuing education is critical for owners and employees to make your business successful. The Expo is always your best bet with all the courses they offer but logistics can be an issue. The next best is looking towards our Virtual upcoming Spring joint conference with OHPBA and taking part in these televised training courses. And do not forget that are factory Reps love to give in-shop training on their visits to your showroom. It is free and easy to schedule. Remember owners your company is only as good as your worst employee!!! Train them for success and we all succeed!!!!
 
Have a Great summer and Get Rested as I think we will all have continued success through 2023!!!!!!!
 
Scott H. Ongley
President NWHPBA
2022
Board of Directors:

Scott Ongley
President

Edward Hosack
Vice President/AK

Ryann Blake
Secretary/ At Large

Pat Braddock
Treasurer/At Large

At Large:
Jeff Davidson
Grant Falco
Daniel Hammer
Troy Olsen
Debbie Hannig

Kelli Cruz
Western WA

Colleen Kittridge
Eastern WA

Chris Patterson
Idaho

Guy Hanson
Montana

Chris Patterson
Reg 9 Rep

Carolyn Logue
Lobbyist

Katie Bohocky, CAE
Executive Director
In this issue:

  1. HPBA Region 9 - Virtual 2022 Annual Meeting
  2. Legislative Update
  3. President's Message
  4. NWHPBA Job Board
  5. Fire Time Magazine
  6. Membership Renewals

The new NWHPBA Job Board is featured on our website. The cost for posting is:

  • $50/ NWHPBA members
  • $65/ non-members.

Your job opening will be posted for
60-days on our website job board and
in 2 monthly Hearth Insight newsletters.

Questions? Email nwhpba@aminc.org
The Fire Time Magazine

A digital publication for the hearth and bbq industries

This digital publication will teach you to grow your business through articles by the top experts in our industry.
Each issue will give you access to new products and innovation, as well as provide national market insights so you are never in the dark.

Click here to start reading!
Membership Renewals
For those who have not yet renewed, your membership is crucial and allows us to continue to advocate for the health of our industry. While 2021 was full of unprecedented events, we are thankful for our NWHPBA community. With the help of one another, we were able to support each other and share our successes through tough times.

Renewing your membership is easy, and we have many options for your convenience!
  • Renew online and pay via card or check
  • If you select to pay by check, you will be directly invoiced and can mail us a check.
  • Call us directly at NWHPBA and we can renew over the phone with you
  • 253-525-5153 (Due to COVID, if you do not connect with us, please leave a voicemail, and Katie, our Executive Director, will return your call within 24-48 hours)
"This industry can feel really secluded and alone. Maintaining my membership has allowed me to build relationships and really get to know the other members. This has opened doors and encouraged brainstorming to solve industry wide issues as well as internal ones within my business that someone had already been through and knew a great solution for."

-Ryann Blake, Chimney Techniques
We want to hear from you!!!
The NWHPBA Communications Committee publishes the Hearth Insight monthly. If you have a story or article you would like to have shared, submit below to be included in our upcoming editions!!!
Northwest HPBA | Website | Email