NCHPBA 2025 Annual Event Schedule

Keynote Address | “What You’re Getting Wrong (and Right) About How You Sell Today”

Tim Rethlake of TRaction Coaching: "What You're Getting Wrong (and Right) About How You Sell Today"

• "The Brain's A Funny Place" - why customers do the things they do.
• The power of story in connecting with your customers.
• What your customers are afraid of that they will never share with you.
• You're training your sales team backwards - and that's not your fault.
• The pillars of an effective sales onboarding process.
• What to do tomorrow when you're back in your business.

SIT Board & Controls by Tom Beal, Wolf Steel Tech (12 SIMS Planned)

The primary focus of this in person learning session is to showcase SIT Systems. After a quick concept review of basic gas & electrical safety, this session then moves into SIT systems and requires participants to work through guided handson exercises with a live simulator to understand the flow of operation. This is followed by activating the fault switches and having the small group work through the process to identify the fault.

Make Up Air Presentation by Brian Barclay, RM Manifold

What is makeup air?

All fireplaces require makeup air, but most homes today are too tight or have too much negative pressure. What, why, and how do we compensate for the inadequate air required for our appliance to operate correctly and look a beautiful as intended?

What the Election Means to Us

This last presidential election led to a Federal administration that is dramatically different from what we have seen in the last 4 years. What does this mean to NCHPBA members? From the SCOTUS ruling on Chevron, the EPA departmental changes, and a different perspective on NG, how do we think this will unfold? Also, we'll be presenting the regional legislative update and tell you how we are tackling each of the issues.

Dexen Board & Controls by Tom Beal, Wolf Steel Tech (12 SIMS Planned)Course

The primary focus of this in person learning session is to showcase Dexen Systems. After a quick concept review of basic gas & electrical safety, this session then moves into Dexen systems and requires participants to work through guided hands-on exercises with a live simulator to understand the flow of operation. This is followed by activating the fault switches and having the small group work through the process to identify the fault.

Masonry Fireplace Install by Christine Isaac, Alert Distributing

Upon completion of this course you will better understand

• Fireplace Systems: Wood Burning vs Gas Only
• Fireplace Types: Masonry Site Built, Metal-Box or Modular Refractory
• Performance: How the Chimney Really Works
• Code Compliance

Stop Sacrificing the Important On the Altar of the Urgent by Tim Rethlake, Traction Coaching

• Urgent & Important "feel' the same to your brain - that's the problem.
• It's not about Time Management but Attention Management.
• Two things your team believes about you, and why it matters.
• The "F-Bomb Reset" - 30 days to getting balance back in your life.

The Hearth Industry's Burning Challenges

Chris Neufeld - VP Blaze King, Tim Rethlake - Traction Coaching, Gilllaume Thibodeau - Fortin - Mechanical Engineer SBI, Jason Tolleson - Sr. Dir. GA HPBA

This will also be a Q&A, bring your questions and concerns. The Topics we’ll be discussing include:

• EPA – what’s happening with wood and certifications?
• Obstacles of Gas
• Tariffs Implications
• Incidence Rates
• Tax Credits

Venting Hearth Appliances by Rich Segwick, NFI

Understanding the Different Vent Types for the Retail Salesperson

This session will go through the various appliances that we sell in the hearth industry focusing on which venting is used and why. We will also cover which appliances may solve sales issues that arise when talking with customers about locating appliances and how to position your sales to meet your customer needs. Appliance venting covered in this session will be Stoves, Fireplaces and Fireplace Inserts for Gas, Wood and Pellet.

The Fall Prevention Puzzle (Part II) by Peter Kruppenbacher, Copperfield

This class focuses on fall protection in multiple situations. I will include a portion about scaffolding in general leading up to fall protection on scaffolding and then include a good dive into what the NCSG agreement allows for use in the industry. There will be a few things to demonstrate.

Gas Fireplace Ignition System Training presented by Curtis Marx, HHT

Purpose:

To provide attendees with a improved understanding of gas fireplace ignition systems for safe and effective operation and maintenance.

Objectives:

• Identify the different types of gas fireplace ignition systems.
• Understand the sequence of operation
• Learn safety procedures for handling gas appliances.
• Recognize common ignition system problems and troubleshooting steps.
• Perform basic maintenance tasks on ignition systems.

Every Business Should Have a Certified Hearth Design Specialist or Maybe 3 (1 hour)

NFI offers the premier and possible only support staff Certification in the industry. This session will explore how your company can benefit from having staff Certified as Hearth Design Specialist. The following questions will be answered during this session. Who should get the HDS Certification? How technical is the HDS Certification? How can NFI HDS Certified technicians make hearth companies more efficient and more profitable? How can you market your NFI status?

The Fall Prevention Puzzle(Part 1) by Peter Kruppenbacher, Copperfield

This class focuses on fall protection in multiple situations. I will include a portion about scaffolding in general leading up to fall protection on scaffolding and then include a good dive into what the NCSG agreement allows for use in the industry. There will be a few things to demonstrate.

NFI Gas Specialist Review, by Rich Sedgwick, NFI

Considerable knowledge and expertise are called for in designing, installing, and servicing gas hearth systems, not only because of advances in technology, but also because of the nature of fuel gases. We begin with the foundation for all work with gas hearth systems: gas characteristics and combustion basics. We look next at methods and requirements for fuel delivery and then at the fundamentals of gas piping systems.

Sellers, installers, and service technicians of gas hearth appliances assume certain moral and legal responsibilities. The moral responsibility is clear. Improper installation or service potentially can lead to fires and other hazards resulting in loss of life and property.

Technicians and planners should also understand that legal action can arise from improperly installed and serviced appliances. If an accident occurs, all involved parties may be named in a lawsuit; this includes the manufacturer, the distributor, the retailer, the installer or service technician, the test laboratory, the building contractor, and sub-contractor. All interests are best protected if technicians are uncompromisingly attentive to appropriate codes, understand and follow the manufacturer’s installation and service instructions, and use the proper parts and materials.

The current certification exam is based on the 7th Edition Gas Reference manual.

Visit https://www.nficertified.org/product-category/hpba-affiliate-events/