The People You’ll Be Learning From in Nashville

The People You’ll Be Learning From in Nashville - A Look at the Speakers and Panelists for the 2026 NBBQA Conference

Every year the National Barbecue & Grilling Association Conference brings together the people who shape the barbecue world.

Restaurant owners.
Competition champions.
Product innovators.
Pitmasters who have spent decades perfecting the craft.

And this year is especially meaningful.

In March 2026, the barbecue community will gather in Nashville, Tennessee to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the National Barbecue & Grilling Association — three and a half decades of connecting the people who make barbecue more than just food. It’s a business, a craft, and a community.

The speaker lineup for this year’s conference reflects that tradition.

From legendary pitmasters to leaders of some of the most respected brands in barbecue, our speakers bring real-world experience that can help anyone in the industry grow — whether you run a restaurant, produce sauces or rubs, compete on the barbecue circuit, or simply want to deepen your knowledge of the craft.

You’ll hear insights from respected voices across the barbecue world including:

• Carey Bringle – Peg Leg Porker
• Kent Black – Black’s Barbecue of Lockhart, Texas
• Tuffy Stone – Championship Pitmaster and BBQ Hall of Fame member
• David Eaheart – Prairie Fresh
• Joe Phillips – Yoder Smokers
• Jody Harris – Rib Cook Off Association
• and many more professionals who are helping shape the future of barbecue.

These sessions aren’t theory.

They are practical conversations about what works — from building successful restaurants and growing product brands to understanding equipment, marketing, and the evolving barbecue marketplace.

But just as important as the speakers are the conversations that happen between sessions.

Many long-standing partnerships in the barbecue world started with a simple conversation at an NBBQA Conference.

This is where relationships are built.

Where ideas are shared.

Where the next generation of barbecue leaders begins to take shape.

A Small Number of Passes Just Opened

Because of final adjustments to our attendance numbers, we now have a very limited number of additional spots available.

We currently have:

🔥 10 Best Tour Passes
🔥 10 Conference Passes

Once these passes are claimed, registration will officially be closed.

These will not be available online.

If you would like to attend, please call the NBBQA office and we will help secure your spot.

📞 800-385-0002

Our team will be happy to assist you.

Join Us in Nashville

The barbecue industry continues to grow and evolve, but one thing remains constant — the importance of gathering together as a community.

The 2026 NBBQA Conference will celebrate our past while helping shape the future of barbecue.

📍 Nashville, Tennessee
📅 March 25–28, 2026

You can view the full speaker lineup here:
https://www.nbbqa.org/2026-conference-speakers-and-panelist

We look forward to seeing many familiar faces — and meeting new ones — in Nashville.

Because barbecue is always better together.

#NBBQA
#NowThatsSmokin