Gearing up for 2015 and the HPB Expo

HPBA Canada Voice

January 2015

Make the most of your time at EXPO this year

Take steps to maximize your investment

Attending a trade show is an investment and you will want to take every opportunity to maximize your investment in time and money to get the most value. Although you will spend most of your time meeting with suppliers, checking out new products and developing your professional skills at education sessions here are some ways you can take things up a notch...

Prepare yourself and your staff before you go by learning how to maximize your time and the information you receive at the show during one of HPBAC's webinars on Making the Most of EXPO. We have sessions for buyers and for sellers. Click below to register. Exhibitors - Make the Most of HPB EXPO Recorded version available through HPBAC - email laura@hpbacanada.org Attendees - Make the Most of HPB EXPOThursday, February 19, 4 pm EST
At the show, be sure to attend HPBAC's Member Reception on Wednesday, March 4, from 6 pm to 8 pm at BB King's on Second Avenue N near Broadway. Drop in for a drink and some regional hors d'oeuvres and to spend some time with friends. Have your photo taken at our photo booth.
Check in with other Canadian industry members by attending Focus Canada and the HPBAC Annual General Meeting
Take the opportunity to join your fellow Canadian industry members to learn more about the challenges we're facing, to participate in discussion and find out what's in store for HPBAC members in the coming months.
Take time to listen to experts on liability and safety issues that business owners and managers need to know at the Special Canadian Education session on Friday, March 6 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm in Room 207CD.
Liability & Safety Issues for Canadian Businesses: Are you exposing yourself to lawsuits?
Education badge is required to attend.
As you walk the show floor drop by the Membership Booth to visit with HPBAC staff and volunteers on Thursday, March 5, 11 am to 1 pm. Learn more about leadership opportunities, regional meetings and events and member benefits.
Thank our sponsors. HPBAC's events at EXPO are made possible by the generosity of our sponsors. Their support allows us to host a reception with free delicious hors d'oeuvres. Our Focus Canada sponsors provide our hot breakfast buffet and coffee at the meeting. So please take a moment to show your appreciation.

HPBAC Reception Sponsors

Focus Canada Breakfast Sponsors

Proposed seasonal woodburning ban in Utah

The state of Utah has introduced a proposal to ban woodburning from November 1 through March 15th beginning in November of 2015.

A public comment period runs from January 1 to February 9, 2015. During the public comment period, the Utah Air Quality Board is asking residents to consider and comment on the following:

A single ban period applicable to all areas
A different ban period for each area if it results in the same air quality impact
The possible exclusion of counties in which data may not support a ban

For more information visit

Wood Burn Rules www.deq.utah.gov/Topics/Air/ woodburning/rules.htm

HPBAC Government Affairs staff have been working with local members to provide information and an industry response.

HPBA Suspends HearthMasters

FROM: Jack Goldman & Pete Anderson

RE: Suspension of HearthMasters Program

What makes the hearth industry special are the friendships and history that have been established over the years. HearthMasters was started many years ago to maintain the connections among veterans of the hearth industry. Its membership was open to anyone who had 20 years of service in the Hearth Industry.

One of the challenges has been how to make HearthMasters a vital program. HPBA has tried a variety of ideas, including a newsletter, a mentoring program, and a variety of social events at the trade show, including a breakfast, a lunch, and a lounge on the show floor. Unfortunately, these ideas have generally not gained traction.

After some soul-searching, we have come to the conclusion that HearthMasters should be suspended in 2015. We do this very reluctantly, because we understand that part of what makes the hearth industry so wonderful are its people.

We are not quite ready to terminate the program, however. But what we will need are two things: volunteers and ideas. If you would like to see HearthMasters revived, please let either of us know if (a) you are willing to serve on a steering committee to help plan future events and (b) you have any ideas that would stimulate interest and participation among the HearthMasters constituency.

We can be reached as follows:

Pete Anderson, MS Distributors., fireplacepete@gmail.com, (586) 360-7721
Jack Goldman, HPBA, goldman@hpba.org, (703) 522-0086 x 123

Thanks very much for your understanding - and we do hope to hear from you.

hpbacanada.org hacked again... and again

Have you had trouble getting on our website lately?

Try the url www.hpbac.ca

We've been in a bit of a war with one or more hackers lately. Users are still being sent to an online pharmacy and receiving error messages. Just when we think we have the problem solved they do it again.

We're looking for a long term solution but in the meantime you can access our site using the url hpbac.ca. It seems only hpbacanada.org has been affected.

Our apologies if you were inconvenienced in any way and thank you to those who advised us of the problem.

Financing Program for Retailers

We've been approached by a new company about offering their financing program to HPBAC members. It seems user friendly, flexible and tailored for smaller retail businesses and the rates are very competitive. The company is also much more responsive than our past provider.

Before we proceed we'd like to find out whether or not this is something in which our members would see value.

Please answer our poll question to help us out.

Answer the Poll Question

Sincerely,

Laura Litchfield
HPBAC

In This Issue

Have a great EXPO

Utah Burn Ban

HearthMasters Suspended

Our site is hacked... again