How to Join HPBAC
Training
FAQs About Membership
How to join HPBAC:
Non-Manufacturers
Membership dues are based on annual sales volume of hearth, patio and barbecue products in Canada in the previous year. Membership expires on December 31st of the year you join and is renewable each year.Certain membership categories are restricted to joining at a minimum dues level, such as Distributors who must join at the 4th level.
It is important that you provide complete contact information, including your website url and email address.We communicate with our members by electronic mail as much as possible. Our newsletter - the HPBAC Voice - is only distributed by email.
If you provide a general email address such as sales@company.com we will publish this address in the online and printed directory. If you provide a personal email address, it will be used by HPBAC staff to correspond with you unless we are advised otherwise.
HPBA of Canada Non-Manufacturer Membership Application
Manufacturers
Manufacturers join HPBAC through HPBA by completing the Manufacturer Membership form available on the HPBA website.2010 Manufacturer Application.pdf
Dues are calculated based on annual sales volume in hearth, patio and barbecue products and are submitted with US dues to HPBA.
Manufacturers can designate a local representative to become an active member of regional HPBAC Chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions about Membership
Why would I be concerned about Government regulation?
Regulation that affects your business could be introduced at any level of government. Sometimes this is positive, such as incentives to homeowners to upgrade a woodburning appliance or to buy a more efficient appliance. You will want to be informed of these opportunities as they arise. Government usually communicates to an industry through its trade association and the association is in contact with the government in order to keep you informed. The association also advocates for these programs on behalf of industry.Often regulation can have a negative effect by limiting and sometimes eliminating the products you sell. This can happen through municipal bylaws such as burn bylaws. HPBAC will help you fight unfair regulation and will advocate the benefits of your products to government.
Why would I attend EXPO?
EXPO features the biggest selection of hearth, patio and barbecue products under one roof. You’ll want to see all of the exciting new products available, meet with your suppliers and look for new products. It’s important to keep your store current and fresh to keep customers coming back and to draw in new customers. EXPO also offers a great selection of sales, marketing and business management education sessions and technical training. It’s also a great opportunity to network with other industry members.HPBAC hosts an information meeting called Focus Canada and a Canadian Reception at EXPO each year. Focus Canada is a good opportunity to join Canadian industry members for updates and a chance to discuss issues that concern you. The Canadian Reception is attended by over 800 people each year and is always a lot of fun. You’ll meet people from all over and have a chance to network in a relaxed environment.
What other events does HPBAC hold?
Regional conferences such as the Ontario Summit and the Western Forum are hosted by Chapters. The Ontario Summit will be held in Ottawa June 6-8, 2009 with a comprehensive education schedule, trade show and lots of fun networking opportunities.We host Education Days through our regional chapters with a range of topics. This year we presented Lean Thinking with Dave Pomeroy in five locations across Canada. In the past as part of our Building Your Business series we’ve offered The Art of Selling, Professional Service is Profitable and The Changing Retail Environment as well as Barbecue Education Days. HPBAC also supports the ongoing development of industry-specific training courses.
How can membership save me money?
HPBAC membership saves you the cost of EXPO passes. If two members of your staff attend EXPO that’s already a $150 US savings on passes. And if you attend the Ontario Summit you’ll save another $75 per participant. Members always receive preferred rates for HPBAC and HPBA programs and events.You can also save through our Affinity Programs, including our competitively priced and comprehensive Business Insurance Program, our new Health and Dental Benefit Program and through discount programs such as PetroCanada Superpass, NEBS business forms, Choice Hotels and Hertz Car Rentals. Some of our members recover the cost of their membership through the PetroCanada SuperPass program alone.
What other programs does HPBAC offer?
Other Affinity programs include Consumer Financing through CitiFinancial. Our Mystery Shopping program gives you a comprehensive report on your store’s performance with customers at the very reasonable cost of $50. Our Health and Dental Benefit Plan is an innovative, self-directed plan you’re your contribution going into a Healthcare Spending Account instead of to ever-increasing premiums.We also have a Bank and Credit Card Processing program with competitive rates as well as an Employment Background Screening program.
How does HPBAC keep members informed?
HPBAC publishes an e-newsletter, usually every two months, that includes updates on association activities, government relations issues, industry news and notices about information that is available to members, such as market research results and articles in the media.We also have a blog for quick updates to members. You can check the blog regularly to see what’s new and to look through the archives. If you have a question, comment or request you can send it to our staff to post on the blog.
In addition to the above we often send out bulletins when an important issue comes up so you are always up to date.
Our website contains information for members and homeowners on products, events, resources and safety tips and a Search function so homeowners and members can find members. HPBA’s website is also full of great resources for members, including press releases, market research, product fact sheets and much more.
How does HPBAC promote the industry?
Both HPBA and HPBAC act as a resource for media and the public. We receive more and more enquiries from the media on issues relating to hearth, patio and barbecue products. Press releases are issued regularly on topical issues such as “Take the Burn out of Heating Costs This Winter”, “Consumer Survey Indicates Fireplaces and Stoves Play Key Role in Selling Homes” and “Consumers Prefer to Stay Home to Cook Out”.In addition, there are 15 Barbecue and Outdoor Room, and 16 Hearth product fact sheets available on the HPBA website for members to use in their stores. These fact sheets contain great information on your products and how to use them.
We have also worked with government to develop programs such as EnerChoice which identifies the 25% most efficient gas hearth appliances available in BC and the Burn it Smart program across Canada which is now being adopted by the US EPA. HPBAC also consults on publications such as The Guide to Residential Wood Heating – a popular guide published by Natural Resources Canada, along with various other publications relating to hearth products.