While the housing and remodeling markets continue to thrive, consumers have become as style conscious as those in the fashion world. Not too long ago it was enough to complete a living room with a simple red brick wood-burning fireplace. And an outdoor space was good to go with a simple grill, a few lawn chairs and possibly an area for a homemade campfire.

Today, it’s a completely different market demanding sophistication and functionality. Fireplaces, both indoor and out, have evolved into true showstoppers with gorgeous unexpected materials and architectural elements. Grills have evolved into complete kitchens with features that can be found in five-star restaurants. And patio furniture and decor is more upscale with richer fabrics and woods.

Every product your customer is now buying is a statement piece that reflects their unique personality, and it’s absolutely essential for the life of your business to be ahead of the trends and acutely aware of the products they want. That’s why this year – and every year – you need to be at HPBExpo.

HPBExpo is North America’s largest in door-outdoor living industry showcase.

HPBExpo 2018 will take place March 7-10 in Nashville, Tennessee at Music City Center (MCC), right in the heart of downtown. Hundreds of exhibitors. Thousands of products. One roof. Everything and everyone is at HPBExpo, from specialty manufacturers to the names you know and love … and new exhibitors are being added every week. You’ll never find a greater gathering for your industry than HPBExpo.

Nashville is a favorite HPBExpo host city.

Music City has historically attracted the biggest HPBExpo crowds because it’s easy to get to and even easier to fall in love with. Nashville is a citywide celebration of everything that makes life fun – music, food, and friends.

Nashville’s MCC is the perfect home base to explore everything the city has to offer. From the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum, you can easily explore the “Songwriting Capital of the World.”

From there, the real action takes place on stages all over the city with more than 150 live music venues representing every genre. (Many of them are FREE and open as early as 10am and keep rocking until 3am.) Some of the most rollicking are right on Honkytonk Highway – aka Broadway – Nashville’s main music street, famous for its vintage-styled neon signs.

Condé Nast Traveler says, “There’s enough going on food-wise to warrant a trip solely for eating.”

When you’ve worked up your appetite, head out to discover Nashville’s culinary scene, which has always been booming with Southern favorites like biscuits, chess pie and sweet tea. Today, there’s a restaurant representing every corner of the globe but Music City’s calling card is still country cooking at its finest. From hot chicken to barbecue to bacon-stuffed everything, there’s something for everyone. Food, music, friends, and fun. What more could you ask for?

Manufacturers choose HPBExpo year after year to launch their latest innovations and engage with the industry face to face.

An Education Program with insights you can put to work right away.

While Nashville affords us great food, music and fun, there’s serious business to be done first. The HPBExpo Education Program, along with the Manufacturer Training sessions that are offered, is the most current and comprehensive in the industry. Whether it’s improving your installation skills, developing a marketing plan, or gaining NFI Certification, there are sessions that cover the entire spectrum for success in our industry. Designed and led by popular experts, the Education Program will equip you with the knowledge (and the continuing education credits) you need to stay ahead of your competition.

With over 8,000 industry professionals in attendance, HPBExpo is North America’s premier indoor-outdoor lifestyle event.

Two-step your way to serious business and great fun. The Outdoor Burn Area is HERE.

Both HPBExpo attendees and exhibitors particularly love Nashville because the Outdoor Burn Area is right outside the MCC doors. You can step from the indoor show floor and immerse yourself into the world of hearth products, grills, smokers, and more, in action. There’s nothing quite like experiencing them firsthand, and as a result, you’ll be able to make smarter buying choices and recommendations to your customers.

The Outdoor Burn Area is where one of the show’s signature events takes place: the HPBExpo Tailgate & Big Green Egg Cook-off. Teams representing HPBA regions bring their best recipes to wow a panel of judges made up of local restaurant chefs. This competition is always a great time for everyone, and we’re working hard on some exciting new events (and a few surprise guests!) for the 2018 show. We’ll even have live music at the Outdoor Burn Area all three Expo days!

Scoot your boots to
HPBExpo 2018 in Nashville.

With all of this waiting for you, you just can’t afford to miss out! To register, book your housing, and for show details, visit hpbexpo.com.

The HPBA Journal is intended to provide in-depth information to the hearth and outdoor products industries. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the officers, board, staff or members of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.

Copyright ©2017 by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association is prohibited. Direct requests for permission to use material published in the HPBA Journal to media@hpba.org. Please visit www.hpba.org to learn more.