2026 NBBQA National Conference & 35th Anniversary Celebration

Event: 2026 National Barbecue & Grilling Association Conference & 35th Anniversary
Dates: Wednesday, March 25 – Saturday, March 28, 2026
Location: Travellers Rest Historic House Museum, 636 Farrell Parkway, Nashville, TN 37220
Host Hotel:  Hilton Garden Inn Nashville/Brentwood, 217 Centerview Dr, Brentwood, TN 37027.
Hosted by: National Barbecue & Grilling Association (NBBQA)

About the Venue 

We’re thrilled to gather at Travellers Rest Historic House Museum, Nashville’s oldest historic home open to the public. Built in 1799, this landmark is steeped in history and Southern charm. Guests will enjoy the peaceful grounds, shaded by centuries-old trees, and the unique atmosphere of a site that has witnessed more than 200 years of Tennessee’s story. 

              

🏨 Hilton Garden Inn / SpringHill Suites
📍 217 Centerview Dr, Brentwood, TN 37027

TO

🏛️ Travellers Rest Historic House & Museum

📍 636 Farrell Parkway, Nashville, TN 37220

🚗 Directions

1️⃣ From the 🏨 host hotel, head north on Centerview Dr toward Maryland Way.
2️⃣ Turn left onto Maryland Way.
3️⃣ Merge onto I-65 North toward Nashville.
4️⃣ Take Exit 74B toward Old Hickory Blvd / Franklin Rd.
5️⃣ Continue on Franklin Rd (Northbound) for ≈ 3 miles.
6️⃣ Turn left onto Farrell Parkway.
7️⃣ Continue ≈ 0.5 mile — the 🏛️ Travellers Rest Historic House & Museum will be on your right.

🕒 Approximate Drive Time: 12–15 minutes (about 7 miles, depending on traffic)
📍 Route: Centerview → Maryland → I-65 N → Franklin Rd → Farrell Pkwy

Tickets

🎟️ Early Bird Discounted Tickets for Members  Are Available Now Through 01/15/2026.   Register HERE to get your Member Early Bird pricing.

✨ Join us in Nashville for four unforgettable days of learning, networking, competition, and celebration as we mark the 35th anniversary of the National Barbecue & Grilling Association.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Welcome to Nashville!  
🔥🎸🤠

 Day 1

The National Barbecue & Grilling Association welcomes everyone to Music City for the start of our 35th Anniversary Celebration!  Enjoy a relaxed day of tours, food, and fellowship before the learning and competition begin.

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM BBQ Restaurant and Bourbon Tour (Add On/Separate Ticket)

Climb aboard for a delicious Nashville adventure!
We’ll visit four of the city’s most iconic barbecue restaurants:
🍖 Jack’s Bar-B-Que (Tentative Venue)
🔥 Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint (Tentative Venue)
🍽️ Edley’s Bar-B-Que (Tentative Venue)
🥃 Peg Leg Porker – Bourbon Tasting at Peg Leg Porker's Tasting Room (Confirmed Venue)

Separate Ticket.  Transportation provided. Advance registration required.  Bus leaves from Host Hotel - Hilton Garden Inn

5:00 PM –  7:00 PM Welcome Reception at Travellers Rest (included in Full Conference Pass)

Join friends—both new and old—for a relaxed evening on the beautiful grounds of historic Travellers Rest. Enjoy light appetizers, refreshing drinks, and true Southern hospitality as we open the 2026 NBBQA Celebration in style.

Schedule
Thursday, March 26, 2026

Grow the Business You Love 

(included in Full Conference Pass)

Track A – Business & Branding

Track B – Operations & Growth

9:00 – 10:15 AM

Track A: Show Me the Money – How to Fund Your BBQ Dream
• Panel Discussion: Explore funding options from loans to crowdfunding. (Jody Harris)

Track B: From Kitchen to Co-Packer
• Panel Discussion: Real steps for taking your recipes to retail production.

10:15 - 10:30 AM

Networking Opportunities

10:30 – 11:45 AM

Track A: Profit First for Pitmasters (Workshop)
• Learn how to manage cash flow and profit smartly.

Track B: Save While You Smoke (Panel)
• Discover ways to lower costs and control waste.

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Networking Opportunities 

12:00 – 1:15 PM – Networking Lunch: Pitmaster Power Hour (Meal Included In Ticket Price)

• Roundtable discussions by topic: Funding, Marketing, AI, and Scaling.

1:15  – 1:30 PM

Networking Opportunities

1:30 – 3:15 PM

Track A: Brand Smoke – Digital Marketing That Converts
• Build your brand using Canva, Meta, and AI tools.

Track B: Menu Engineering & Pricing for Profit
• Learn to price your food for profit while maintaining quality.

3:15 – 3:30 PM

Networking Opportunities

3:30 – 4:45 PM

Track A: BBQ Business Lifecycles – From First Flame to Final Sale (Mainstage Panel)
• Moderator: Kell Phelps
• Pros share their journeys from startup to success and beyond.

Track B: Hiring, Training & Keeping a Great Pit Crew (Panel) (Barbara Latimer)
• Build and retain a strong, motivated team.

4:45  - 5:00 PM

Networking Opportunities

5:00 - 9:00 PM

Awards of Excellence Dinner & Presentation powered by Prairie Fresh
(Meal Included in Full Conference Pass)

Join us for the NBBQA Awards of Excellence, honoring the best in barbecue and grilling.
Buffet dinner served at 6:00 PM; awards presentation begins promptly at 7:00 PM.
Evening concludes by 9:00 PM.

Schedule
Friday, March 27, 2026

Scaling & Marketing Smarter 

(included in Full Conference Pass)

Track A – Business & Branding

Track B – Operations & Growth

9:00 – 10:15 AM

Track A: Scaling Without Losing Your Smoke (Panel)
• Learn to grow your brand while keeping your authenticity.

Track B: Retail Ready – Getting Your Product on Store Shelves (Panel)
• Step-by-step insights for getting your rubs, sauces, or products into stores.

10:15 - 10:30 AM

Networking Opportunities

10:30 – 11:45 AM

Track A: Social Media & Sales Funnels for BBQ Brands (Workshop)
• Turn your followers into loyal customers.

Track B: Smart Systems – Automating Your Daily Grind (Workshop)
• Simplify your business using AI and automation tools.

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Networking Opportunities 

12:00 – 1:30 PM (All Attendees)

Meet the Masters Luncheon (Meal included in Ticket Price)
• Hear success stories and lessons learned from industry trailblazers.

1:15  – 1:30 PM

Networking Opportunities

1:30 – 2:45 PM

Track A: Reel Results – Creating Short-Form Video That Sells (Hands-On Lab)
• Create engaging short videos with your phone.

Track B: Partnerships That Work (Panel)
• Learn from successful BBQ business partners and families.

2:45  – 3:00 PM

Networking Opportunities

3:00 – 4:15 PM

Track A: Cash Out or Pass It Down (Panel)
• How to sell or hand down your BBQ business.

Track B: Next Gen BBQ – Inspiring Youth & Family Involvement (Panel)
• Bring the next generation into the world of BBQ.

4:15  – 4:30 PM

Networking Opportunities

4:30 PM – Rhinestone Cowboy Steak Cookoff

• 4:30 PM: Cooks’ Meeting
• 5:00 PM: Judges’ Meeting
• 6:00 – 6:15 PM: Anything Nashville Turn-Ins
• 7:00 – 7:15 PM: Anything Bourbon Cocktail Turn-Ins
• 8:00 – 8:30 PM: Steak Turn-Ins
9:00 PM:  Awards Presentation

Celebrate as we crown the 2026 NBBQA Rhinestone Cowboy Champion!

5:00 PM – Rib Wrangler Cookoff

5:00 PM: Cooks’ Meeting
7:30 PM: Judges’ Meeting
7:45 – 8:15 PM: Rib Turn-Ins 7:45–8:15 PM
9:00 PM: Awards Presentation
Celebrate as we crown the 2026 Rib Wrangler Champion!

Schedule Saturday, March 28, 2026

🏆Championship Saturday 🏆

(No Meals Served on Saturday)

7:00 - 8:00 AM - Team Check-In & Setup

Competitors for the National Live Fire Invitational,  Steak Cookoff and Rib Cookoff that did not set up on Friday arrive and set up.

8:00 - 8:15AM – National Live Fire Invitational Cooks' Meeting

Competitors for the National Live Fire Invitational arrive and set up.

9:30am AM – Rib Cooks’ Meetings

Combined safety meeting, then breakout sessions for each event.

8:30 – 10:30 AM – Fire-Up & Prep Period

Teams fire up their pits, and the public gates open at 9:00 AM.
Enjoy demos, tastings, and live music throughout the day!

10:00am AM – Steak Cooks’ Meetings and Steak Selection

Combined safety meeting, then breakout sessions for each event.

11:00 AM – National Live Fire Invitational: People’s Choice Round

Public tasting and first judging session.

12:00 – Rib Cookoff Judges Meeting

12:00 – Steak Cookoff Judges Meeting

1:00 – 1:30 PM Steak Turn-In

2:00 PM – National Live Fire Invitational: Pork Round

Second round of judging begins.

2:00 - 2:30 PM – Rib Cookoff Turn-Ins

4:00 PM – National Live Fire Invitational: Beef Round

Final round of judging begins.

6:30 – 7:30 PM – Awards Presentations

Celebrate the weekend’s champions!
🏆 Rib Cookoff Winners
🥩 Steak Cookoff Winners
🔥 Live Fire Invitational National Champion

7:30 – Closing Toast & Farewell

Final remarks from Kell & Janet Phelps, thank-yous to all sponsors, and a farewell toast to 35 years of BBQ excellence!