RMHPBA November News Flash 2015

NEWS FLASH 

The RMHPBA’s Monthly Update 

November 2015 

In this Issue 

Volunteer For the 

Tailgate & Big Green 

Egg Cook-off 

Page 1 

2016 Membership 

Page 1 

HPBExpo 

Page 2 

HPBExpo Education 

Program 

Page 3 

HPBA Retailer News 

Page 3 

2016 Member 

Reception 

Page 3 

Thanksgiving Patio-Palooza 

Page 4 

Upcoming Events 

2016 HPBExpo 

March 16-19, 2016 

2016 Member Reception 

March 16, 2016 

Infographic courtesy of the HPBA 

Comin’ Up In December 

Members-only 

Newsletter 

Government Affairs 

Update 

Page 5 & 6

Volunteer for the 

HPBExpo’s Fifth Annual 

Outdoor Burn Tailgate & 

Big Green Egg Cook-off 

The HPBA is in need of retail member participation 

at the 2016 HPBExpo’s Fifth Annual 

Outdoor Burn Tailgate & Big Green Egg Cookoff! 

If you would like to show off your grilling skills 

next year and represent your region by competing 

in the cook-off or participate as a judge, 

the HPBA wants YOU! They are looking for a 

max of six retail teams to compete (each team 

to consist of two representatives from a retail 

company). They also need three judges and are 

looking for any retailer who holds a judging 

certification or has judging experience. 

There are only a certain amount of slots to fill 

so participation will be on a first-come firstserve 

basis. 

This is an excellent opportunity to raise the 

visibility of the retailer since the HPBA will be 

promoting this event in the upcoming registration 

brochure. 

Any teams signed up before 

the holidays will be listed in 

the brochure that is distributed 

to 19,000+ individuals in the 

hearth, barbecue and patio industries 

and polybagged with 

the January issue of Hearth and 

Home Magazine. The HPBA will 

also promote each team on the 

show website and at Expo. 

‘Tis the Season to Renew 

Your HPBA Membership 

Renew your RMHPBA membership for 2016! 

Incase you need a reminder, the RMHPBA Membership 

benefits include: 

-Annual Member Reception (held at the EXPO) 

-NFI Certification review & exam opportunities and 

discounts 

-Members only bi-monthly newsletter 

-Monthly newsflash containing important events, 

industry news and relevant legislative issues 

- Member directory 

- Member map and locator 

-Discounts with business services including rental 

cars, delivery services, and much more. 

For questions, please contact Larry Grogran at rmhpba@outlook.com. 

View HPBA membership benefits here. 

Manufacturers, you may renew through myHPBA. 

org. Don’t forget to review your section percentages 

and update them if your business has changed. 

If you believe you are the renewal contact and have 

not heard from HPBA, please contact Adri Mundy 

at mundy@hpba.org. 

Take care of your membership renewal now, before 

the new year begins! 

View the cook-off flyer with more information 

here! 

1

What are you waiting for? Register for the 2016 

HPBExpo! 

Exhibition: March 17-19, 2016 

Education: March 16-19, 2016 

Have you registered for the 2016 HPBExpo yet? 

The 2016 HPBExpo will take place in New Orleans 

from March 16-19, 2016, at the Ernest N. Morial 

Convention Center. Hear what HPBA Chairman 

Jess Baldwin and other members are saying about 

the show and why you need to be there next year 

in this quick video filmed at the 2015 Expo. 

New Orleans combines big city choices with small 

town friendliness. Need more ideas? We’ve got the 

information you need on getting around and what 

to do while in New Orleans. Don’t forget to bookmark 

the HPBExpo’s website as show information 

for next year will continually post throughout the 

year. 

Next year’s HPBExpo outdoor events take place 

on St. Patrick’s Day, so the HPBExpo is throwing 

a mini parade, New Orleans style! The Outdoor 

Burn Area will also include the Varsity Motor 

Coach/Sports Bar Area and entertainment. Other 

trade show highlights include the Indoor New 

Product Pavilion, First-Time Exhibitor Pavilion, 

Attendees’ Choice Awards, Vesta Awards, 35+ 

Education sessions and manufacturer specific 

training. 

Registration, Education & Housing Open 

Register online for show badges, education, hotel 

reservations, flights and car rentals 

today! 

Be advised that onPeak is the official HPBA 

housing partner - don’t be fooled by other travel 

companies claiming to be affiliated with HPBA. 

Through onPeak, HPBA is able to secure the lowest 

rates, best hotels and the most complimentary 

amenities during your stay in New Orleans, exclusive 

only to HPBExpo guests. 

Click here for the full list of current exhibitors. 

Updated floor plans and exhibit space contracts 

are now posted online. 

Vote for the RMHPBA’s 

Board of Directors! 

The RMHPBA Board of Directors 

nominations are in and we need your vote! 

Download the ballot here 

Please send completed ballots to rmhpba@ 

outlook.com or fax to 406-897-2310 by 

December 4. 

Thank you to our 2015 

sponsors! 

Associated Energy Systems 

Olympia Chimney Supply, Inc. 

Majestic Hearth 

M&G DuraVent 

RH Peterson CO. 

RW Specialties, Inc. 

Valor 

2

HPBExpo Education 

Program 

National Fireplace Institute (NFI) 

The 2016 HPBExpo Education Program is a great 

opportunity for industry members to learn from 

some great instructors and a wide variety of topics. 

There are three opportunities for manufacturers to 

support our educational efforts. 

Each year, the HPBA looks for one or two manufacturers 

to show their support as the Expo Education 

Sponsor. The education sponsors are promoted 

with all the Expo education promotional material 

throughout the coming months and on into the rest 

of the year through the online training program. 

New in 2016! Attendees that purchase an Education 

Passport will receive a special notepad to keep track 

of the numerous ideas they learn at Expo. There is 

an opportunity for one company to be listed as the 

sponsor for the notepads. 

There are still time slots available in the Manufacturer 

Specific Training sessions. This is your 

opportunity to review your product line with Expo 

attendees in a group setting. 

Details on all three of these programs are available 

from Rick Vlahos at HPBEF/(703) 524-8030. 

HPBA Retailers News 

Proper training for new employees that have no experience 

in the hearth industry is critical. HPBEF 

publishes a manual that makes that job much easier. 

“Hearth 101: Introduction to Hearth Systems” 

is the perfect solution. The manual is available in 

a printed format or as a protected PDF document. 

You can purchase the manual with or without 

an online class that summarizes and reviews the 

material. There is no easier way to quickly bring 

new employees up to speed on the many facets of 

the hearth industry. Manuals are available at the 

HPBEF Store. 

Hearth appliance retailers that sit back and wait 

for customers to ask if their installers are NFI 

Certified are missing a great opportunity to 

stay one step ahead of their competition. The 

National Fireplace Institute publishes a handy 

brochure called “Play It Safe” that you can keep 

on your display stoves or sales counter to remind 

customers that they are building a fire in 

the middle of their living room. Proper installation 

is important for their safety and proper 

functioning of their appliance. The brochures 

are available in packages of 25 or 100. A Point 

of Purchase Stand is also available to make it 

easy to display. Brochures can be ordered at 

NFI Store. 

2016 RMHPBA HPBExpo 

Member Reception 

The RMHPBA is getting excited for the 2016 

HPBExpo member reception! The reception 

will be a joint event with affiliates including 

SCHPBA, AHPBA, OHPBA, NWHPBA, and 

HPBA Pacific! The combined reception will 

have 18 states, with hundreds of awesome members 

present. 

Details: 

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 6-8 FULTON AL- 

LEY, 600 Fulton St., New Orleans 

(One half block from host hotel) 

Stay tuned for 

registration 

information. 

3

Gobble your way to “Thanksgiving 

Patio-Palooza” prizes! 

Thank you for your 

membership 

renweal! 

Hogsett & Associates 

The HPBA’s recent consumer attitude survey finds 14 

percent of U.S. grillers cooked outside last Thanksgiving. 

To raise that number even higher this year, 

the HPBA barbecue communications team launched 

a PR/social media campaign aimed at inspiring and 

encouraging Thanksgiving grilling. The campaign is 

called “Thanksgiving Patio-Palooza.” 

Here’s what it includes: 

Each day until November 25, the day before Thanksgiving, 

the HPBA has been promoting member-submitted 

Thanksgiving barbecuing tips or recipes with a 

cleverly-designed infographic on the HPBA Facebook 

and Twitter accounts. The HPBA hopes the 25 tips 

in 25 days will inspire consumers to consider barbecuing 

or grilling as part of their Thanksgiving meal 

plans. 

To encourage individuals to share their tips on their 

own social channels, the HPBA is doing 25 daily 

giveaways from HPBA members to consumers who 

engage with the campaign. 

Check out the HPBA’s Facebook and Twitter to particpate 

and win a prize before the campaign ends! 

Happy Thanksgiving from 

the RMHPBA! 

Spa Brokers 

Fruehauf’s Patio & Garden 

The Warm Store 

The Firebird 

Lehrer Fireplace (Denver) 

The Fireplace Company 

Source Gas 

Colorado Comfort Pds. 

Rio Grande Co. 

Appliance Factory Parts 

Graham Associates 

Service Monkey 

4

HPBA Government Affairs Update 

Deadlines for Retailers Is Looming on New 

Woodstove Certification Program (NSPS) 

HPBA reminds all retailers and distributors that EPA’s 

new certification program has a retail sell-through 

deadline of December 31, 2015. Over the next 60 days, 

retailers, manufacturers’ representatives, and distributors 

must complete the process of eliminating any 

product from inventory that does not comply with the 

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recently-issued 

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). 

HPBA had originally argued for a year of sell-through 

(until May of 2016), but the EPA’s rule only granted 

Step 1 sell-through to the end of this year. Members 

are encouraged to review the document that HPBA 

sent out last spring, which is posted here. 

In related news, the HPBA’s judicial challenge of the 

NSPS, we have not yet received a response from the 

Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding our initial 

settlement offer. Given the complexity of this issue, 

HPBA anticipated that no response was likely until 

November at the earliest. As soon as DOJ responds, 

HPBA will alert the participating manufacturing member 

companies. All HPBA members are reminded that 

HPBA’s legal challenge is focused on Step 2 issues and 

does not affect the Step 1 deadlines for any products. 

Any questions can be sent to John Crouch at crouch@ 

hpba.org 

HPBA Meets with Gas Company Regarding 

Emerging Trend to New Homes with Solar 

But No Gas 

In October, staff from HPBA and HPBA Pacific, 

along with several HPBA members, met with the staff 

of Southern California Gas Company in Los Angeles 

regarding a disturbing new trend towards new, 

energy-efficient homes that are being built without 

gas hearth products and, in many cases, with no gas 

infrastructure at all. Of even greater concern than the 

handful of subdivisions currently being constructed 

this way is the potential for large production home 

builders to plan most or all of their planned subdivisions 

to be based purely on solar and electric power, 

without gas. If the trend grows, the hearth industry 

will see its market shrink. These decisions are reportedly 

being driven by a concern for Zero Net Energy requirements 

that are built into the Energy Code in California 

-- considerations that are increasingly springing 

up in future national model codes. HPBA staff held a 

call with the Gas Hearth Appliance Section on October 

28th on the issue and a related issue pertaining 

to energy efficiency requirements for existing homes. 

Members with questions can contact John Crouch. 

25C Tax Credit for Biomass Stoves 

As previously reported, the 25C tax credit for 75 percent 

efficient or higher biomass stoves has been included 

in Senate bill S. 1946, the “Tax Relief Extension Act 

of 2015,” and in House bill H.R. 2517, the “Powering 

American Jobs Act of 2015.” The language in both bills 

would extend the tax credit two years, retroactive to 

January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2016. 

The current language specifies higher heating value 

(HHV) as the metric to measure stove efficiency. Inclusion 

of the HHV language could drastically lower 

the number of previously-qualifying models which 

would qualify for the tax credit extension. Please keep 

in mind that, until a bill is signed by President Obama, 

the efficiency method has not been finalized and there 

is no certainty as to which appliances would ultimately 

qualify if the legislation were to be signed into law. 

The timing of a vote in the Senate and discussion in 

the House is uncertain due to the recent shake up in 

House leadership. Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI-01), 

Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee 

which has jurisdiction over tax issues, will likely vacate 

his position if he is successful in his bid for Speaker of 

the House. This has caused a great deal of uncertainty 

in the House and the future of tax legislation. Please 

contact Rachel Feinstein at feinstein@hpba.org if you 

have any questions. 

5

HPBA Government Affairs Continued 

Tom Pugh Government Affairs Academy 

2016 

The Tom Pugh Government Affairs Academy (GAA) 

will take place July 11-14, 2016 in Washington, D.C. 

GAA will include two-and-a-half days of classroom 

training on media relations, legislation important to 

the hearth industry, and how to lobby your state and 

federal lawmakers. The program will conclude with an 

exciting day of meetings on Capitol Hill. 

For the first time, the 2016 GAA will be open to 

former graduates of the program. If you are a former 

GAA student and would like to participate in a refresher 

course and lobby day on Capitol Hill, please contact 

Crystal Gitchell at gitchell@hpba.org. 

If you are a member of HPBA or an HPBA Affiliate 

and interested in participating, please contact the Executive 

Director of your Affiliate or reach out to Crystal 

at HPBA. Registration opens soon. Several Affiliates 

have already reserved seats for the 2016 program, 

and we expect the remaining seats to fill before the end 

of 2015, so act soon if you would like to be considered 

for one of the remaining seats. 

Code Coordinators and State Industry Advocates 

Are you interested in helping the hearth and barbecue 

industries stay ahead of the curve in your state? HPBA 

is looking for members to be local HPBA Code Coordinators 

and State Industry Advocates. Many bills and 

regulations will be introduced in 2016 that could be 

harmful - or helpful - to our industries. Volunteer Coordinators 

and Advocates will receive email alerts from 

HPBA and have access to HPBA’s legislative tracking 

system, which will allow you to read and distribute 

information relevant to your state. You will be able to 

provide reports to your Affiliate on potentially harmful 

or helpful legislation and regulations. With your help, 

HPBA and HPBA Affiliates will be able to mobilize local 

manufacturers, retailers, and distributors when the 

time comes to take action on a bill or regulation. 

legislative tracking system on Thursday, November 

12th at 2 p.m. EST. This is an invitation-only event, so 

if you are interested in participating or in being a Code 

Coordinator or State Industry Advocate in the upcoming 

legislative session in your state, please contact 

Crystal Gitchell for registration information. 

2016 Member 

ReceptionSponsorship 

So far, event sponsors include: 

Olympia Chimney, 

Jotul, RH Peterson, 

Amantii Electric Fireplaces, 

Morso, and Sierra 

Flame. 

Please thank them if you see their representative 

at your store! 

Do you want to sponsor 

this event, too? 

Contact Larry Grogan at rmhpba@outlook.com 

or 480-772-2169 with any questions or interest. 

HPBA will be hosting a webinar on the new MultiState 

6

RMHPBA November News Flash 2015

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?