The National Barbecue & Grilling Association, also known as NBBQA, brings together the people and businesses that make up the barbecue, grilling, and live fire community. Whether you are a backyard cook, pitmaster, restaurant owner, caterer, product maker, competitor, media professional, supplier, manufacturer, event organizer, or industry partner, NBBQA gives you a place to connect, learn, grow, and belong. As a member, you gain access to industry connections, education, Special Interest Groups, member resources, digital publications, discounts, events, and opportunities to increase your visibility in the barbecue community. You do not have to build alone. Join NBBQA and become part of the national barbecue and grilling community.Connect. Learn. Grow. Belong.
Emerging Professional Member
Emerging Professional Membership
For BBQ lovers, competitors, students, and future professionals who are ready to get connected.
The Emerging Professional Membership is designed for individuals who love barbecue and want to become more involved in the BBQ community, but are not currently earning income from barbecue-related work.
This membership is a great fit for competition cooks, weekend pitmasters, students, young professionals, backyard cooks, future business owners, and serious BBQ enthusiasts who want to learn, connect, and grow.
If you are still exploring where barbecue may take you, this membership gives you a place to start. It is an affordable way to meet others, learn from the industry, stay informed, and begin building your path in barbecue.
Please note: This membership is intended for individuals who are not currently generating income through barbecue-related products, services, catering, restaurant operations, paid events, or other BBQ business activities. If barbecue is already part of your business or income, a Professional or Business Membership may be the better fit.
Membership Benefits Include
Professional Member
Professional Membership
For sole proprietors, independent operators, contractors, and individual professionals earning income in the barbecue and grilling industry.
The Professional Membership is designed for individuals who are actively working in barbecue, grilling, food, media, events, products, education, competition, or related industries as a one-person business, independent contractor, or sole proprietor.
This membership is a strong fit for solo caterers, independent BBQ instructors, content creators, consultants, competition cooks, food vendors, product makers, media professionals, brand ambassadors, and other individuals earning income through barbecue-related work.
Professional members receive access to NBBQA resources, networking, industry conversations, member opportunities, and programs designed to help you connect, grow, and be seen within the barbecue and grilling community.
Which tier fits you? If your business has employees, team members, multiple staff, or needs more than one person connected to the membership, the NBBQA Business Membership is the better fit.
Membership Benefits Include
Business Member
Business Membership
For established BBQ companies, brands, restaurants, and industry partners with employees, team members, or multiple representatives.
The Business Membership is designed for companies, brands, restaurants, and organizations that want greater visibility, stronger industry connections, and broader involvement with NBBQA.
This membership is the best fit for any barbecue-related business that is larger than a sole proprietor or needs more than one person connected to the association.
It is a strong fit for BBQ restaurants, catering companies, product lines, distribution companies, retail shops, manufacturers, suppliers, equipment companies, media businesses, event companies, service providers, and other companies connected to the barbecue and grilling industry.
Is this the right fit? If you have employees, team members, business partners, staff, representatives, or multiple people who should receive NBBQA access, the Business Membership is the right fit — giving your company a stronger presence inside NBBQA while additional team members connect, learn, network, and participate.