As we slide into 2010, a new year and a new decade, I personally have decided to resign myself to the fact that business as we have known it in the past is gone and isn't coming back. It's time to stop moaning and groaning and concentrate on changing with the times and redefining my business to be in line with what "is".

MAHPBA is celebrating its 10th Anniversary and hopes to see you all at the BEST affiliate Member Reception at EXPO! This year's member reception will be at "Howl At The Moon" Club with the World's Greatest Rock 'n Roll Dueling Pianos, on Wednesday, March 10th from 7 to 10 pm.

1. HPBExpo 2010 will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in Orlando. Celebration will be Thursday, March 11, 3:00pm - 5:00pm in the indoor and outdoor exhibit areas.

2. The Expo returns to Orlando after 19 years!

3. Expo registration and housing are completed easily online at www.hpbexpo.com. Member ID number is required. Pre-registered exhibitors and attendees can pick up badges on site at the Express Registration Counters (badges will not be mailed this year).

We've added a short new session to the OnDemand Library. "How to Market Your NFI Status" is a 15 minute summary of what has been done, what can be done and what materials are available from NFI. There is no cost for this presentation. It is open to anyone. There are two ways to take it:

Operating a small business is not easy. Most small businesses struggle during their formative years and produce minimal profits. If an event occurs, resulting in a lawsuit being brought against you, the results could be devastating for you and your fragile business. That is why small business liability insurance is a smart option for small business owners.

MAHPBA's 2010 Education Schedule is finalized! The registration brochure is posted on the web and was emailed to you at the begining of December. The brochure was also snail mailed to you last week! Don't delay in ordering your "Third Edition" NFI Wood, Gas or Pellet Manual so you can start to study!

MAHPBA would like to sincerely thank the many companies who have stepped up and have contributed to the NSPS initiative in 2009.

** Congratulations to MAHPBA Executive Committee and Board Member, Eiron Scheetz and her husband, John, who welcomed their new son, Colin Getty, on November 22nd. Weighing in at 9lbs., 7oz., Colin joins his sister, Samantha, 7, in completing the Scheetz Family!

** Best wishes go out to Gary Bowden, who has sold his business, Bowden's Fireside Hearth & Home, in Trenton, NJ, and is off to the west coast. We are very happy for Gary because he has wanted to do this for a long time. He and his family have been a great example of class and good business for our industry. We will all miss him.

** Thomas Moxley, age 61, died on December 7, 2009. Mr. Moxley was the father of one of our newest Board Members, Tom Moxley, a manufacturer's rep in Easton, Maryland. Our condolences go out to Tom and his family during this sad time.