“While 40 years have delivered so much change in our lives, two things have remained constant: The hearth is still the heart of the home, and we continue to have a passion for gathering around the backyard flame." - Jack Goldman, president and CEO of HPBA
DALLAS (PRWEB) March 14, 2019
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo, the nation’s largest trade show for all things flame, is underway in Dallas this week just as retailers prepare their spring barbecue and patio displays and formalize their fall hearth promotions. Manufacturers’ product showcases this year reflect how consumers’ changing lifestyles are redefining the home experience.
Trends include smaller grills and fireplaces, products that truly convert the patio to a new living room, and a return to traditional colors.
This year marks the 40th Expo. Almost 400 exhibitors are displaying the latest innovations to thousands of attendees in Dallas.
“We’re excited to meet this tremendous four-decade milestone for HPBExpo,” said Jack Goldman, president and CEO of HPBA. “While 40 years have delivered so much change in our lives, from how to cook to what we eat to how we spend our downtime, two things have remained constant: The hearth is still the heart of the home, and we continue to have a passion for gathering around the backyard flame with friends and family for a delicious, flavorful meal. Manufacturers likewise continue to meet the customers’ always evolving tastes with new creative products and accessories.”
HPBA shares five top trends on display at the show:
- Small is the new big. After several years of barbecue manufacturers expanding product lines to include smaller, more mobile grills, hearth manufacturers this year present smaller hearths for the home, as well as patio. The offerings reflect consumers’ desires for smaller houses, condos, and townhouses, as well as their desire to take their patio experience “on the go” for camping, glamping, and tailgating.
- Black and chrome are the new black and chrome. As manufacturers continue to present colorful grills and accessories, many of the new and prominently presented barbecues return to the traditional black and chrome coloring, allowing consumers to continuously update and modify their patio spaces around the more traditional grill colors.
- Hearths are the new flatscreens. As more consumers cut the cable chords and dial back TV consumption, hearth manufacturers are boldly reclaiming their rightful place as the home’s focal point, offering thin, long, horizontal fireplaces for installing on the center of the wall, right where our now antiquated flatscreens once held dominion.
- Patios are the new primary kitchens and dining rooms. Manufacturers continue to present innovative, tech-enhanced outdoor kitchen islands built around premium barbecues – as well as hearth-centered tables, outdoor built-in audio/tv systems, and other accents that meet consumers’ desires for a full outdoor living experience in their backyard.
- Bed and bath are the new living rooms. Hearth producers are re-imagining where families want to relax fireside. Enter hearths optimized for building into bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other locations beyond the living rooms.
About the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Va., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of barbecue, patio and hearth appliances, fuels and accessories. The association provides professional member services and industry support in education, statistics, government relations, marketing, advertising and consumer education.