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The HPBAC Voice is published semi-monthly and is distributed by email to HPBAC members.
We're working on ...
1. 2008 HPBAC Annual General Meeting will be held at the Sandman Signature Hotel near the Toronto Airport on Tuesday, November 25th from 5 pm to 6:30 pm
2. Drive for 25 Campaign - the campaign continues to reach 2500 retailer members across North America - 6 new retailer members in Canada so far
3. EXPO Registration is open - visit www.hpbexpo.com for more information and to register. |
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Message from the President 
This fall has been a very busy one for most people in the industry. Wood and pellet appliance sales have been strong while gas appliances have been less in demand. Things may change in 2009 as the economic forecast continues to be gloomy. HPBAC expects to face many challenges in 2009. We will be budgeting for a lean year and will be reducing expenses wherever possible.
We hope you will join us for the 2008 Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, November 25th at 5:00 pm at the Sandman Signature Hotel - Toronto Airport, if you are in the Toronto area. We will be reviewing the bylaws, financial report and strategic plan. Following the meeting please stay for a social hour.
Please take some time to read through this newsletter. You will find information on EXPO coming up in March, our new A Name You Should Know feature, an overview of the hearth consumer survey results and a government affairs report. We also have a link to a poll question on credit card fees, a new insurance affinity program with health and dental benefits and contact information for a travel agency we've been working with to find reasonable fares to Reno. The best advice we can give to save you money is to book as early as possible.
Sincerely,
Marc-Antoine Cantin
HPBAC President | |
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EXPO returns to Reno, NV March 18-21, 2009 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Whether it's held in the east or the west, in good times or tough times, industry insiders know that HPBExpo is not a show to be missed. In 2009, the Reno event promises wonderful products and exhibits, an outstanding education program, a city renewed with vast improvements and beautiful scenery and adventure nearby, including some of the best skiing in the Western US only 20 minutes away.
What's New in Reno
There have been many changes in Reno since 2007. The Outdoor Burn area will be located in the Atlantis Casino Hotel parking lot, which is accessible from the Convention Center by way of a new sky bridge.
Hotel capacity near the Convention Center has increased and rooms have been remodeled at the Peppermill Hotel Casino, Grand Sierra Resort and the Silver Legacy.
Expo is the Star
Of course the star of Reno from March 18 through 21 is HPBExpo. For Everything Barbeque, LLC owners Scott and Christy Grigsby, EXPO is the place to be. "We are big fans of EXPO," said Christy Grigsby of the Oklahoma City, OK store. "We opened at the very end of November 2006 and had an immediate opportunity to attend EXPO in 2007. And, even though it was not terribly expensive, it was still a stretch for us to go. But, attending allowed us to jump in the game more quickly than if we had to make all those contacts thoughout the year. We also feel that when you go to Expo, the manufacturers take you more seriously. Your financial plan should absolutely include giving yourself an opportunity to go to Expo."
Attending also allows retailers to scout the show floor for new and innovative products. "We always look for products to keep our showroom fresh for customers that come back," said Gribsby.
Expo is your opportunity to:
- see new products
- network with new acquaintances and old friends
- attend educational sessions
- learn, develop and grow as a member of our industry
- visit a naturally beautiful location offering many recreational opportunities before and after the show
See the information in the right hand column on flights available through the Flight Centre. |
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Government Affairs Report
 As always, staff and volunteers have been kept busy in the vital area of government relations. HPBAC is currently represented on four CSA committees dealing with the revisions of B415, B366, B365 and F327. These standards apply to wood burning emissions, the installation of solid fuel central heating systems, solid fuel heater safety standards and house pressurization. In addition a great amount of HPBAC time was required to complete the latest P.4 gas fireplace efficiency standard which should be published next year. For some time now British Columbia has been a hotbed of activity and as always HPBAC's Western Chapter, under the presidency of John Johnson of Ecco Heating, has been quick to mobilise the troops. They have been working closely with Terasen Gas to properly establish the EnerChoice program through a dealer and public educational program. It is vital that dealers commit to this program if the threat of mandated gas fireplace efficiencies is to be averted. The Western Chapter is also currently working with several municipalities regarding new wood burning by-laws. The association continues to resist unfair and damaging legislation, at all levels of jurisdiction, through education and constructive negotiation. A new by-law was recently passed in the City of Vancouver which severely, and in our view unfairly, restricts the type of gas fireplaces that can be fitted into new single homes. A task force was quickly created to open a dialogue with the city. John Johnson, Martin Miles (Miles Industries), Rod Eide (Mr Fireplace) Doug Tufts (Terasen Gas) and Zigi Gadomski (Western Chapter Administrator) met with officials in mid October and work continues to have the by-law amended. Without HPBAC's efforts such legislation would likely spread, not only to other parts of B.C. but to other provinces as well. Our Industry would undoubtedly be damaged. Your business would be affected.
Please note that despite rumours to the contrary, Newfoundland and Labradors' ban on the sale of non EPA/B415 certified product did indeed come into force on July 1st 2008. Please also remember that products exempted from EPA/B415 are not affected by this ban. |
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Americans Love to Grill
Americans Grill Year-round
More Americans are using their grills year-round, says research from NPD Group. Its 'Eating Patterns in America' report says usage of outdoor grills is at an "all-time high" and nearly double what it was 20 years ago. By season, grill usage patterns are 37.2 per cent in 2007, up from 31.4 per cent in 1998 in the spring months of March through May; 49.3 per cent in the months of June through August 2007, up from 46.3 per cent in 1998; 39.9 per cent in 2007 from 30.3 per cent in 1998 during the fall period of September to November; and 26.5 per cent in 2007 from 18.7 per cent in 1998 in the winter months of December through February. |
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State of the Hearth Industry Report
The following is select information from the biannual HPBA Fireplace and Stove Attitude and Usage Study.
The Industry is Hot
- Nearly 2.4 million hearth appliances were shipped in 2007 - 1.5 million were gas-fuelled models
- Fireplace sales and installations represent a $5 billion annual value
Where the Hearth Is
- Fireplaces rank second among the top features desired by buyers of new homes - they are only second to outdoor patios, porches and decks (NAHB)
- Half of US households (55 million) have at least one fireplace or freestanding stove
- There were approximately 1.3 fireplaces per home in 2006, with 80 per cent of the homes having at least one fireplace or stove, and 17 per cent having two
Cleaner, More Efficient Options
- The average age of a wood fireplace is 23 years, therefore making them the more likely targets for updating. The average age of a freestanding stove is 11 years. Gas fireplaces are an average age of 11 years. And, fireplace inserts average 13 years
- Residential wood-burning stoves and fireplace inserts are now certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produce as much as 90 per cent less wood smoke emissions than uncertified wood-burning appliances
- Initial study shows that EPA-certified stoves can decrease the average wintertime fine particulate levels in the outdoor air by 28 per cent and can make indoor air quality 72 per cent cleaner inside homes
- 60 per cent of those who modified their fireplace for efficiency modified it by installing a fireplace insert.
Heating Your Home
- 32 per cent of stove owners view their stove as a primary heat source - 47 per cent consider it to be a secondary source of heat
- The primary motivation of 35 per cent of those who installed a hearth product in their home was to save on heating costs, while 21 per cent wanted to make a cold room warmer
- Using supplemental hearth appliances to heat the rooms that are occupied the most allows for the thermostat of the furnace to be turned down, decreasing fuel bills. This "zone heating" can provide energy savings of 20-40 per cent (American Council for Energy Efficient Economy)
- Three quarters of those who own or will own woodburning, gas, pellet or corn stoves (76 per cent), and a similar percentage of those who own high-efficiency woodburning fireplaces (79%), indicated the use of these products is an important part of their plans for home heating cost-savings
Increasing the Heat to a Home
- 59 per cent of hearth owners consider their fireplace, stove or insert to be a major design feature in their home in comparison to 49 per cent in 2004
- 73 per cent of wood fireplace owners use their hearth product to enhance the atmosphere, compared to 63 per cent of gas fireplace owners
- The master bedroom is the most desired room to add a second fireplace/stove (NAHB)
- The estimated average increase in home value from a hearth appliance is $3,065
- Fireplaces have a strong, positive effect on the value of a home (National Association of Realtors)
Adding a Hearth to a Home
- Typical cost of post-construction installation:
- Fireplaces - Open, EPA-certified wood fireplace is $3-5000, gas fireplace $3-5000 and electric fireplace $500-3000
- Stoves - Free standing woodstove with new chimney $3-4200, pellet stove $3500-4000
- Inserts - Pellet, gas or EPA-certified wood insert into existing fireplace with new liner $3-4000, and an electric insert into an existing masonry fireplace $100-300
- For estimating purposes, consumers can calculate the cost and energy savings of potential hearth appliances using HPBA's online calculator www.hpba.org/fuelcalculator
- Consumers can research placement, product and fuel choices, online with the Consumer Guide: The Easy and Efficient Way to Heat Your Home, that highlights the differences between appliance options, fuels, approximate efficiency and the estimated costs of product purchase and installation www.hpba.org/HearthConsumerGuide
Use of the HPBA State of the Industry Report findings should be credited to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. Visit www.hpba.org for more information
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Air Travel to Reno 
The Flight Centre guarantees the lowest price. Call Shane Bannerman at 1-866-585-7717 and tell him you are a member of HPBAC to get the best price.
Be sure to book early to get the best deal possible.
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Sincerely,
Laura Litchfield
HPBAC
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| Click here to take our poll. Should HPBAC join the Retail Council of Canada's campaign to cut credit card fees? |
Drive for 25
HPBAC and volunteers have made phone calls to hundreds of prospective new members. It's a difficult time of year to reach people but we've had a number of interested retailers. Follow-up information packages have been sent and we hope to have good news to report in our next Voice issue.
To find out more or to volunteer your help please call our office at 1-800-792-5284 or email hpbac@bellnet.ca |
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Hearth in the News
Visit the Industry in the News page of our website to view the following articles on hearth, patio and barbecue products, or click on the link:
My Turn; These fire safety tips could save your life, Burlington Free Press, October 18, 2008
Is your home prepared to weather the weather? The Daily Star, October 13, 2008
VOCM St John's Radio Local News on website |
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A Name You Should Know
Jack Goldman
HPBA President
Where do you live?
Derwood, Md., USA; work in Arlington, Va., USA
Employer Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
What is your role in the business? President
How many years have you been involved in the hearth industry? 8
How did you first get involved in the industry?
I was hired by HPBA as General Counsel/Director of Government Affairs
If you weren't doing this job what do you think you'd be doing?
I'd be practicing law
Are there any previous jobs you'd like to tell us about?
I was Director, Environmental Services for the Aluminum Association (serving North America) in the 1980s; I was in private law practice, specializing in environmental and patent law, in the 1990s. I served HPBA as General Counsel/Director of Government Affairs from 2000 to 2006, when I was promoted to president.
Why do you feel it's important to be a part of an industry association?
Trade associations can provide services that individual companies cannot do, or can only do at great cost. Getting involved in a trade association helps the industry - in government affairs, education, promotion, sales (as in a trade show) - and also your own business, e.g., representing the industry to the government on an issue. And it's very satisfying to have a focal point with other members of your industry. Building relationships and learning about events or developments from your peers helps you with your business.
What are the major issues you see facing the industry in the coming months?
First, of course, there is considerable trepidation over the economy. I also see a need for the industry to clearly understand and articulate where we fit into the Green Movement (HPBA is beginning to undertake research on the industry's "carbon footprint" for wood and pellet appliances). A related issue is the increased focus on energy efficiency and emissions, coming from the national and local level. There are also a number of codes and standards issues that must be followed closely by the industry - a bad outcome can limit the industry's markets.
Do you have any words of advice for dealers in the current market?
It would be a little presumptuous for me to give such advice - having never worked in retail - other than to say that HPBAC and HPBA may have some resources, especially in our education program, that may help you in your business.
What do you like best about this industry?
The products and the people. We have wonderful products that the public loves, and a "good story" to tell. And the people in this industry are interesting, creative, passionate, and extremely personable. It's been a pleasure and an honor to be involved in the industry.
What do you like least about this industry?
Nothing comes to mind.
Who has been your biggest influence in terms of business? Certainly, Carter Keithley has been my biggest influence. I thoroughly enjoyed working for him and he "taught me the ropes" about the industry and the association.
Do you see any emerging trends in the business/where do you see them going?
As mentioned above, energy efficiency and emissions will be big issues going forward
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New HPBAC Member Program
The Future of Employment Benefits
What if your benefit plan covered all your medical bills - no limits, no maximums?
What if you controlled your costs...
and saved up to 30% on all your medical and dental expenses?
Mary McDonald
1-866-891-4437
205-2775 Dundas Street W.
Toronto, ON M6P 1Y4
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Our EXPO Reception Sponsors
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Register Now for EXPO
Don't miss EXPO 2009 in Reno, NV March 18-21 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center
HPBAC Focus Canada Thursday March 19, 7:30 am to 9 am, Room A9, R-SCC
HPBAC Reception and Floor Hockey Tournament, Thursday, March 19, 5 to 7 pm, Ballrooms C1 and C2, R-SCC
Register online at www.hpbexpo.com using your HPBA ID (6 digits - appears on your HPBAC invoice) If you don't have your number please call Laura Litchfield or Nicolle Howell at 1-800-792-5284.
You can make changes and additions to your registrations and check to see who has registered from your company.
Hockey Teams Registered
- Napoleon Inferno
- ICC/RSF Renaissance Men
- The Enviromentals
- SBI
Register now - call or email Laura at 1-800-792-5284 or hpbac@bellnet.ca for information
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