The NBBQA Conference Provides Focus

Back in the mid-80s and 90s all the business gurus were pushing the philosophies of Purpose, Mission and Vision statements to help businesses with having direction in achieving their goals. Through the years many have adapted these to fit in with what they are doing as a business. The NBBQA National Conference endeavors to do all we can to aid you and your business achieve the focus you both desire and need.

It’s 2020 and one question comes to mind, “How’s your vision?” Every year we go to the Optometrist for an eye exam. Through a series of questions, exams and even machines, the doctor will determine if we have 20/20 vision. They blow a puff of air to check for glaucoma, there’s the infrared that looks into the eye to determine if there are any abnormalities which would prohibit you from having clear vision. Then the famous, “Which is better, the first one or the second one?”

Every year we head to this person we call Doctor because he or she is an expert at what they do. Time spent getting an education to help people see better. Experience over the years allowing him to provide a prescription which allows the patient to focus, whether near or far. As we leave the doctor’s office, we pay the bill, go to lunch and happy to have 20/20 vision.

The NBBQA National Conference is the Doctor’s office for those in the Business of BBQ. The doctors are the session speakers brought in from all over the world. Each an expert in their own field ready to help you gain a clearer vision for this coming year. They are specialists who have spent years developing the knowledge and experience in order to aid you in seeing better as you go though the year in BBQ.

Focus in Business

Business is as tough as it is varied. Every day presents new challenges, some of which helps grow your small business into a larger one. Then there’s the obstacles which seem insurmountable causing you to doubt if this will succeed at all. The fast answer for what percentage of small businesses fail, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is about 20% fail in their first year, and about 50% of small businesses fail in their fifth year. But the good news is the majority of small businesses succeed and the NBBQA National Conference exists to be the doctor’s office which will help you be a part of that majority.

The speakers we have gathered this year each have an expertise which will enable you to have a better focus as you continue. Our keynote speaker, John McPhee, brings a fresh perspective about building a business and compiling a team on which you can depend. Our Meet the Masters will be bringing their prescriptions from their different business aspects which will cover many areas of your businesses. One of the biggest obstacles in business is shipping our products from the store. We have a business session addressing this very topic and offering a more economical way of shipping.

Focus in Marketing

Back in the day you could walk around in your town and see posters hanging in the store windows. Grand openings, church revival meetings and the like all proclaiming the latest in marketing techniques. But that was then and this is now. The internet has changed the way businesses market what they are selling. Then along came social media which changed the marketing game all over again. Names like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and even TikTok have entered every aspect of our lives, whether we have a business or not. Then there’s terms such as influencer, YouTuber, blogger and creator which has entered our venular. What does all of this mean for us as business leaders in BBQ?

Ben Arnot of Smoking Hot Confessions is coming to help us navigate through all the apps we have downloaded and how best to use them in our marketing campaigns. Vic Clevenger of Chimney Cartel will be the social media go-between for the conference so any pictures you take can be forwarded on to him and you may see your work on NBBQA social media.

Focus in Networking

Networking is a key component to any gathering. We all attend networking lunches and after parties but then they are over. We all exchange business cards, email addresses, social media handles and phone numbers but what do we do with them after this. Many times, the business cards are “lost” or forgotten. The social media could be a great way to network but many desire true face to face connections. At the conference this year we are building in many opportunities for this face to face connections.

Beginning with the Culinary Fight Club event to kick things off on Wednesday evening and every evening through to the NBBQA Classic steak cook-off there will be opportunities for networking. Each of the themed Happy Hours will take place for you to shake hands and laugh with those you’ve known for years as well as those you’ve just met. Meals will be great occasions for you to choose to sit with someone you’ve wanted to meet or talk with. Networking can be a fun and easy way to grow your business.

The conference this year will be more focused on the business of BBQ while having fun with each other. From the gatherings to the sessions to the food completions this will proof to be the best conference we’ve had yet.