Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

for education and for getting our members together. In March of 2020, we were in New Orleans, and that week the COVID-19 case count went from zero and just exploded – literally, our show ended and New Orleans was shut down. We thought we could have a trade show this year, which would have been in Nashville in March. As we all know, the pandemic is being a little peskier than we’d like, and we wound up having a virtual tradeshow in June this year.” Although a virtual show couldn’t offer the same hands-on experience, and the timing was not ideal for some members, Goldman reports that the show was successful. Looking forward to March 2022, the association is planning the next trade show in Atlanta. He asserts, “The industry is very excited about getting back together, so people can look at our products, both for hearth and barbecue. You can’t look at the products very effectively on a screen. In terms of grilling, you have to taste samples of food and literally see how the unit operates. In the case of fireplaces or stoves, it’s also something you need to touch and look at, and you can’t do that very effectively HEARTH , PAT IO & BARBECUE ASSOC I AT ION (HPBA) on a screen. So, I think we’ll have a great trade show next year.” Education and certification are an ongoing priority for the hearth side of the association because, as Goldman acknowledges, “We’re putting a fire inside someone’s home, and that can be potentially quite dangerous. People want to know they are not going to burn the house down the first time they turn on the fireplace.” HPBA offers a certification program through The National Fireplace Institute, which provides training followed by an exam. After the initial exam there is an option to retake an exam every three years or enroll in continuing education options. “We really recommend continuing education, because if there are new developments the installers are aware of them,” says Goldman. “We have 1000s of installers in the US who are holders of certifications.” HPBA offers four different certifications – one for retail, training associates on appropriate hearth products for the home, as well as three specific hearth installation options, for wood-burning, gas- Samples at the HPBExpo Outdoor Burn