There are numerous reasons to justify an investment in yourself: professionalism,self-enhancement, adult education, re-energizing, motivation, competence, confidence and even entertainment and relaxation. There are few places that most of these desirable goals can be achieved in a concentrated four days as they can be at the annual NBBQA Conference and Expo. If you look and remember, you can capture ideas that will offset your investment in yourself many fold. When you need to stop and sharpen your axe to make sounder, more effective cuts, come join us.

The very first event offered on Wednesday morning at the Conference is the rare opportunity for some round table consulting with the recognized Masters of BBQ. These Masterful folks have vast experience in winning barbecue contests, running successful barbecue restaurants, innovation, and even writing best selling national barbecue books, and they are willing to share ideas with you at Meet the Masters. At no other place can you sit at a round table of ten people and talk with a master barbecue personality face to face, and ask a question that has been bothering you. There are usually at least eight tables staffed with significant speakers, and you will have the opportunity to select the ones you need to visit with in this two hour pre-event. This is one of those rare opportunities that can pass you by and save significant consulting dollars if you do not register early. Separate registration is required above normal conference registration.

The second event on Wednesday afternoon at the NBBQA Conference is nearly always a sell-out due to the popularity of the BBQ Bus Tour and the limitation of 50 people per bus. The NBBQA buses usually visit two or more local barbecue restaurants to see first-hand how the local folks prepare and present BBQ that appeals to and attracts their customers. The local restaurant hosts allow our special bus visitors to tour their facility including the back-house smokers, discuss their start up history, their menu items, hot sellers, and often will provide toothpick samples to back up their taste claims. Separate registration is required above normal conference registration.

The NBBQA annual conference focuses on its primary membership interests by presenting a day dedicated to those professional barbecue restaurants and caterers who earn their daily living working in the industry, and that day is entitled PROFESSIONAL’S DAY. This day provides BBQ restaurateurs and caterers the opportunity to talk intimately without interruption to each other and with our partners: the exhibitors, sponsors and advertisers. The educational content of most seminars presented on Thursday during the conference (PROFESSIONAL’S DAY) is focused on the business interests of those directly involved in the BBQ business

The NBBQA realizes the future growth of barbecue industry depends upon the vision and energy of those thinking about becoming BBQ professionals. For that reason, the Association provides entry-level memberships and programming for those folks who may be nursing the idea of opening a business as a barbecue restaurant, catering service, or manufacturing and marketing sauces, equipment, or services. They too need to gather, talk, evaluate equipment, services, and talk to experienced pros already successful in the barbecue industry, so Saturday is dedicated to BBQ PUBLIC DAY. Demonstrations of barbecue meat cuts, preparation, sampling off active outside grills, and judging the People’s Choice barbecue sauces are popular attractions for the backyard crowds