Mark your Calendars!
 

HPBA Region 9 Spring Conference! Presented by NWHPBA and OHPBA

June 8-10, Great Wolf Lodge www.greatwolf.com

Conference Brochure: click HERE
Registration form: click HERE

Destination: Imagination! Making Possibilities Become Reality In The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Industries. Title Sponsor – Hearth & Home Technologies. By nature, human beings are explorers. For thousands of years, we've pushed beyond our boundaries, broadening our minds and imaginations with each new discovery. That same spirit of exploration is the driving force behind the NWHPBA/OHPBAs 2008 Conference.

Sunday, June 8 – Tuesday, June 10, 2009
Great Wolf Lodge
Grand Mound, Washington

Schedule Of Events

Sunday, June 8, 2008

3:00 – 9:00 pm
NWHPBA Board Meeting

6:00 – 10:00 pm
OHPBA Board Meeting

Monday, June 9, 2008

7:30 – 8:00 am
Registration, Tabletop Displays, Beverage Service, Name Badges Sponsored by Associated Energy Systems
Welcome Amenity Sponsored by Travis Industries & Hearthworks, LLC

8:00 – 9:30 am
NWHPBA & OHPBA Membership Meetings

9:30 – 10:00 am
Break, Tabletop Displays

10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Technical Session
“Gas Training & NFI Certification Review”

10:00 – 11:30 am
General Conference Session
“Achieving Excellence In A Competitive Environment”
Presented by James Donaldson
Sponsored by Hearth & Home Technologies

11:45 am – 1:00 pm
“Destination: State Of The Industry Conversation” Lunch
Sponsored by Napoleon Fireplaces & Northwest Distribution

1:15 – 2:45 pm
General Conference Session
“Welcome To Green – Defining Green And The Use Hearth Appliances In Green Home Design & Construction”
Panel Participants: Harvey Gail – OHPBA Executive Director (Moderator, Peter Jessen Hansen – President of Morso, Roger Sanders – President of HeatGreen Council, and Tom Stroud – HPBA Senior Manager of Codes & Standards,
Sponsored by Lightning Nuggets

2:45 – 3:15 pm
Ice Cream Break, Tabletop Displays
Sponsored by Lennox Hearth Products

3:15 – 4:45 pm
Roundtable Discussions

This afternoon’s roundtable discussions will be held on a number of thought-provoking topics including: Employment Issues, Succession Planning, Changeout Programs, Making Your Website Sizzle, and Hearth Products 101. If you have another topic that you are interested in exploring with fellow attendees, take advantage of the “Label This” table.

5:30 – 6:30 pm
Networking Reception
Sponsored by Wing Sales

Join industry colleague for an hour of fun networking with ample time to catch up with your friends and meet new ones. This special event includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and no-host beverages.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

8:00 – 8:30 am
Registration, Tabletop Displays, Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by Tulikivi/Stone Fire Design

8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Technical Session
“Pellet Training & NFI Certification Review”

8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Technical Session
“Wood Training & NFI Certification Review”

8:30 – 10:00 am
General Conference Session
“Building Buzz – Transforming Your Store Into A Customer Destination”
Presented by Jim Kessler, XSCEND Performance Services

10:00 – 10:30 am
Beverage Break, Tabletop Displays
Sponsored by Monessen Hearth Systems

10:30 am – Noon
General Conference Session
“Demystifying The Legislative Process”
Panel Participants: John Crouch – HPBA Director of Public Affairs, Gary Smith – NWHPBA Legislative Consultant, and Steve West – OHPBA Legislative Consultant.
Sponsored by Archgard Fireplace Products

Noon – 1:15 pm
HPBA Update Lunch
Sponsored by FPI US, Inc.
Following lunch you will hear from HPBA Chairman Dennis Smith and HPBA Director of Affiliate Relations & Membership Development Don Kaiser about how HPBA is working to better serve you. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the Association.

1:30 – 3:00 pm
General Conference Session
“Colors, The Color Wheel, & Hearth Products”
By Amy Tacke, Miller Paint Company
Sponsored by Miles Industries

3:00 – 3:30 pm
Tabletop Displays, Specialty Break
Sponsored by Tri-State Distributors

General Conference Session
3:30 – 5:00 pm
“Marketing By Delight”
By Bob Ingram

5:00 – 6:00 pm
Reception

6:00 – 8:00 pm
Awards Banquet
Sponsored by Simpson Duravent

The Northwest has been a trend setter in home remodeling and decorating for years. So it is about time we showed off our work! And what better time to applaud our peers and colleagues on their accomplishments than at our Annual Conference. Following a fabulous meal, we will pay tribute to our Northwest Hearth Design Contest category winners, as well as announce our “Best In Show” winner from the below listed categories.

• Before And After – Fireplace
• Before And After – Freestanding Stove
• New Installation – Fireplace
• New Installation – Freestanding Stove

As part of our evening together, we will also spend time remembering a great friend and business associate that we lost on February 11th – Tim Abel. Tim Abel was one of those rare people that everyone liked and he liked everyone. Those of us who knew him best will always remember his dedication, generosity, and contagious smile. Tim was passionate about his work in the hearth industry, as was displayed through his untiring service to the industry, including serving two years as NWHPBA President. Join us and members of Tim’s family in a special activity to raise funds to donate in Tim’s memory to the Firs Bible & Missionary Conference Center.

And, to close our two spectacular days of broadening our minds and imaginations, a unique “Time Capsule” slide show will be presented freezing and capturing in time many spectacular and memorable Conference moments. Who knows, you just may see yourself on the “Big Screen”.

Official Conference Hotel:

To make guest room reservations at the Great Wolf Lodge and receive the Conference group rate of $109 plus tax, please contact the Lodge directly at (800) 640-9653. Be sure to tell the reservationist that you are with the NWHPBA/OHPBA Conference and provide them with our group code - 0806NWHE. Reservations must be made by Thursday, May 8, 2009.

Great Wolf Lodge
20500 Old Highway 99
Grand Mound, WA 98531
Phone: (360) 273-7718

Directions from Portland/Centralia: Take I-5 north to Exit 88-B (Hwy. 12); Go west to first stoplight and turn left (south) onto Old Hwy. 99; 
Continue south for approximately 1/3 mile and the Lodge will be on the left.

Other OHPBA News

This year, we will be holding regular Breakfast meetings on the first Wednesday of the month in October, December, January, February, March, and April. Click calendar of events for the list of topics.

Questions?

We welcome your input. Contact us for questions about membership status or other industry/legislative questions in Oregon. Contact Harvey Gail, OHPBA Executive Director or Ruben Garcia, Membership Director, at 503-371-7457. Direct questions about the HPBA EXPO to 703-522-0086 or visit www.hpba.org