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HPBAC Board of Directors Meeting held in Halifax in September

HPBAC’s annual Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting was a great success. This year, we convened in Halifax to review 2004, discuss Strategic Planning for 2005, develop a plan for additional HPBAC member benefits and decide how to better communicate all of the above. We have several key results to report: New HPBAC Mission Statement was developed… The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association of Canada (HPBAC) is a trade association, dedicated to serving the needs of our members, established for the purpose of:

  • providing a voice for the industry;
  • promoting and protecting the interests of those engaged in the hearth, patio and barbecue industries;
  • coordinating and integrating the needs of industry dealers, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers;
  • providing educational and networking opportunities to all our members on both national and regional levels; and
  • promoting consumer awareness of the benefits associated with our products.

New Committees

Functional committees were formed to work in key areas. We now have committees dedicated to Communications, Membership and Government Affairs. These groups will work on projects and member benefits at the direction of the Board.

 

Pictured on a tour of the Alexander Keith’s Brewery, from L to R: Front Row, Lou Olsacher, John Vukanovich, Sarah Kemp, Mrs. Mabbs, Martin Mabbs, Paul Birnstihl, Pat Bourque. Middle Row: Alexander Keith, Judy Rodgers, Fred Robinson, Tex McLeod, Norma Bourque, Chris Barker. Top Row: Kim Rodgers, Laura Litchfield, Annette Donald, Joy Harbers

HPBA Representative

Paul Birnstihl, HPBA incoming President (who lives in Candia, New Hampshire, but is originally from Waterloo, Ontario) was on hand to share his knowledge and experience with HPBA and the highly successful Northeast affiliate of HPBA. Thanks again to Paul for his contributions.

Thanks to our Other Guests

We would also like to thank George LeBlanc of Maritime Fireplaces and Elizabeth Mason of AWETA who took time out of their weekend to attend portions of our meetings and give their valued input.

The energy and enthusiasm for this industry was clearly displayed at the board meetings. We all look forward to a busy end to the fourth quarter and a great start for 2005. If anyone in the industry has comments or suggestions regarding the Mission Statement, committee work, or any other HPBAC topic, please feel free to give me, or any member of the board a call.
Mystery Shopping Set for Fall 2004

HPBAC Mystery Shopping was conducted in October for those members who registered for the program for the third consecutive year. Participating dealers were visited unannounced by a professionally trained Mystery Shopper who completed a comprehensive evaluation on their shopping experience. Participating dealers will receive a detailed, confidential report on their store's performance and regional, national and North American results for comparison.

Steve Keeling, of Classic Hearth & Leisure in Wilmot, Nova Scotia, called the program "a great membership benefit. Another retailer I spoke with paid $250 to be Mystery Shopped."

The cost for HPBAC members is only $35. The savings of over $200 is due to the buying power that HPBAC membership provides. HPBAC and HPBA were able to negotiate a very favourable rate for members and the HPBAC board of directors agreed to pay half of the cost as a member benefit.

The Mystery Shopping evaluation includes sections on:

  • pre-visit (telephone)
  • environment - both exterior and interior
  • welcomed and wanted
  • needs assessment
  • product knowledge and salesmanship
  • closing
  • overall impression

To sign up for the 2005 program click here for a printable registration form that can be faxed to the HPBAC office at 705-788-0255. If you are not a member and would like to join HPBAC so you can take advantage of this excellent program, click here for an application form.

, Membership Application   , Mystery Shopping Registration Form

 HPBA President Warns of a 'Perfect Storm'

 

Carter Keithley warned of an interconnected set of regulatory events and proposals that has emerged at both U.S. federal and state levels in a letter to HPBA directors, government affairs committee members and the affiliate leaders committee on May 7, 2004.

 

Keithley listed eight events and proposals that can be characterized as a "perfect storm" offering both the threat of eliminating all wood burning hearth appliances in vast areas of the U.S. and an opportunity to promote the sale and installation of clean wood burning appliances. "We cannot and must not allow the threat to prevail or miss the opportunity to have America embrace clean wood burning technology," he emphasized in the letter.

 

For more information on this issue please contact the HPBAC office by email hpac@on.aibn.com or by fax 705-788-0255.

 
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Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada · PO Box 5422 · Huntsville · Ontario · Canada · P1H 2K8 · Tel 705-788-2221 · Fax 705-788-0255 · hpac@on.aibn.com