HPBExpo Brings It All Together—
Superior Buyers and Growing Markets for Your Products

HPBExpo Delivers the Numbers and Quality of Buyers You Want

For the last three years, HPBExpo has attracted retailers representing more than 2,000 buying entities. These individual businesses represent specialty and mass merchants retailers as well as a growing number of professional service firms (architects, designers, landscapers, propane dealers, builders, and remodelers).

 

The top four reasons these buyers give for attending HPBExpo have to do with you—the exhibiting company:

1. 87% See new products (In fact, 71% of HPBExpo 2008 attendees visited the New Product Pavilion and want to see it again next year.)
2. 71% Meet potential new suppliers
3. 70% Network with manufacturers, reps, and distributors
4. 68% Meet with current suppliers

77% say they are likely to purchase an important product or service within the year because of attending HPBExpo 2008. They use their time on the exhibit floor to see every new product line, talk to reps about how the products work, and to get a close look at what competing retailers back home are selling.

 

HPBExpo buyers are serious about their businesses and committed to HPBExpo.

• 29% have been in the industry more than 20 years.
• 42% have been in the industry 6 to 20 years.
• 33% have attended at least 5 years in a row.
• They spent a total of nearly 15 hours on the exhibit floor—nearly twice the national average.

 

Most of the buyers you meet are owners or top management.

• 58% Owner/partner/general manager
• 21% Sales
• 6% Administrative
• 3% Marketing/Advertising
• 12% Other

 

And most can make or influence the buying decision.

• 69% have full authority to purchase products and services.
• 12% have limited authority.
• 16% specify, recommend, and suggest products and services to purchase.

 

In general, these buyers are very happy with what they find at the show.

• 86% said that HPBExpo 2008 either met or exceeded their expectations.
• 87% said the total cost to attend HPBExpo 2008 was a good business investment.

 

And, they’re looking forward to the future.

• 69% said the profitability of their businesses grew over the past year.
• 89% are optimistic about the future of their business over the next few years.

 

The Market for Barbecue, Hearth, and Outdoor Living Products Remains Strong

As homeowners dig into their “homebody” lifestyles, they’re making their dwellings more comfortable indoors and outside. And, thanks to manufacturers—who are nothing short of driven to produce new materials, products, and equipment—American consumers have more to choose from than ever before.

• Fireplaces still rank among the top three features desired by new home buyers (second after upgraded kitchens). New fuel and venting technologies, design features, and greater efficiencies now allow “green-minded” consumers to install fireplaces, inserts, and heaters in practically any room of the house—as well as in the backyard.
• Despite the slowdown in new housing starts, the remodeling market remains strong. American homeowners sit on trillions of dollars of equity, and, according to the National Association of Home Builders, “…(H)omeowner equity will help buoy the remodeling market in the near future and drive long-term growth as well.”
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans spent nearly $150 billion on home remodeling in 2005, and about one third of those dollars went toward outdoor living areas.

 

As homeowners discover that they can improve life in the backyard with more than a picnic table, small grill, and an oversized umbrella, they are finding more ways to extend the comforts of home to outside areas.

• A patio or deck is one of the three features most requested of new home buyers. Building a major garden or landscaping project is the second most popular home improvement choice among respondents asked what they would do with $20,000.
• The lawn and garden market is up 34% in current terms and 18% when adjusted for inflation. An increase in homeownership and the growing interest in backyard living are behind this growth.
• Aging Baby Boomers who want “lawn and garden products and services” for second homes and new living spaces will contribute to this market growing to $133 billion by 2010.
• 60% of homeowners 50 and older expect to live in their current residence during the next five years, and 65% plan to remodel or improve their homes.

 

And barbecue shipments in 2007 were higher than they’ve been in years—17.4 million—a 13% increase since 2000. According to the 18th Annual Weber GrillWatch™—

• 29% of America’s grilling population own multiple grills.
• 78% say they prefer to grill outdoors compared to 22% who prefer to cook inside.
• 23% of grill owners grill the entire meal on a regular basis, up from 18% last year

 

HPBExpo 2009 heads for Reno, Nevada. It promises to be another great event, so make sure your company is part of the world’s largest showcase of hearth, outdoor living, and barbecue products.

Call now to reserve your indoor or outdoor exhibit space.

For more information, contact:
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
1901 North Moore Street
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703.522.0086
Fax: 703.522.0548
E-mail: hpbamail@hpba.org