Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 11

25 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 11 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) E stablished in 1980, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HBPA) is the North American association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and other industry representatives. With an ongoing mission to promote and protect the industries they serve, HBPA provides support to members through government relations, market research, education, events, certifications, and industry promotion. Jack Goldman, President and CEO shares the evolution of the association: “At the beginning, we were just representing wood- burning appliances. In the 1990s, gas hearth products became popular, and so we included those as well. So, we represent fireplaces and woodstoves on one hand, and then barbecue grills came in later. Our initial main function was our trade show, and that started in 1980. It was a way of pairing retailers AT A GLANCE HEARTH, PATIO & BARBECUE ASSOCIATION (HPBA) WHAT: A 2200-member industry trade association WHERE: Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia WEBSITE: www.hpba.org E D U C A T I N G T H E I N D U S T RY