The National Barbecue Association was founded in January 1991. In 1992, the NBBQA filed and was approved as a 501(c)(6) non profit trade association with the Internal Revenue Service. It was incorporated in the State of North Carolina in 1993. At the time of the organization efforts, there was not an association representing the broad, diverse and growing industry.
In the formation process of the Association, it was recognized that barbecue is one of the oldest cooking methods known to man. Learning to control the use of fire by early man around 500,000 B.C. was a profound event that likely included the roasting of meat for survival, and this act in essence, gave birth to the beginning of civilization. Author Steven Raichlen suggests it could have happened as the result of forest fire trapping and roasting buffalo or venison, then being discovered by early man, or possibly lightning setting a tree on fire near a hoofed animal, but no one knows for certain. Archeological evidence indicates that early man was indeed using fire to cook meat by 125,000 BC.
At the time NBBQA was formed, there were (and had been) organizations and groups that had a specific focus on a particular area of the barbecue industry, but no single group designed to unite the industry and bring it together to help build a better and stronger industry. One thing was certain, however, mention of the word "barbecue" always sparked a conversation or story that ignited a new friend.
At various times in its history, the NBBQA has had its headquarters in North Carolina, Kansas City, and in 2001 following the 9/11 event, relocated its offices to Austin, Texas. In nearly every instance, the day to day operations of the organization have been managed by an association management company. In this manner, the Association has no employee liability concerns, and it benefits from a professional staff of administrators that respond to member requests, maintain the records, produce the meetings and publications, and update the website regularly.
The following is the list of cities that NBBQA has staged its annual meeting:
The National Barbecue Association was founded in January 1991. In 1992, the NBBQA filed and was approved as a 501(c)(6) non profit trade association with the Internal Revenue Service. It was incorporated in the State of North Carolina in 1993. At the time of the organization efforts, there was not an association representing the broad, diverse and growing industry.
At the time NBBQA was formed, there were (and had been) organizations and groups that had a specific focus on a particular area of the barbecue industry, but no single group designed to unite the industry and bring it together to help build a better and stronger industry. One thing was certain, however, mention of the word "barbecue" always sparked a conversation or story that ignited a new friend.