May 05, 2021
2021’s “Back to Barbecue Day” a National Call to Shop and Sizzle
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association’s Promotion Builds Foundation for Retail Holiday;
National Pork Board Official Protein Sponsor
Arlington, VA (May 5, 2021) – Flames on! This May, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), with support from National Pork Board, seeks to rally grill manufacturers, retailers, enthusiasts and curious consumers with “Back to Barbecue Day.”
Set for Saturday, May 29, Back to Barbecue Day is a national call for people to pledge to cook out in celebration of the official kickoff to grilling season. It also encourages individuals to visit their favorite retailer to check out the latest grills and accessories.
“Over the past 20 years, we have seen promotions for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday grow to become not only major retail events, but grand scale cultural moments in our calendar,” said Jack Goldman, president and CEO of HPBA. “There’s no reason our industry can’t claim one of the busiest barbecue retail and home cooking days as our own holiday.”
“While we always encourage year-round grilling, there’s no denying that, in the days preceding Memorial Day, most all retailers’ floors are filled with potential customers, and many barbecue owners are tuning up their grills for the summer,” Goldman added. “We seek to embrace this moment by creating even more excitement and awareness for this special time in our year, and we especially appreciate the National Pork Board’s collaboration in reaching even more people.”
“Grilling and pork are like peanut butter and jelly. They are the perfect combination,” said Chris Jones, director, marketing promotions and partnerships, National Pork Board. “We’re delighted to join this campaign and look forward to being a part of the kickoff to what may very well be the best summer ever for outdoor grilling.”
In the lead up to Back to Barbecue Day on May 29, HPBA will devote National Barbecue Month taking to media and social media and encouraging consumers to visit their nearest specialty retailers and offering helpful tips for questions to ask their retailers as well as ideal accessories to consider. It also will provide tips and inspiration for owners getting their grill ready for the season.
As part of the social media campaign, the National Pork Board and several HPBA members will offer prize packs to individuals who pledge grill out on Back to Barbecue Day at HPBA’s WhyIGrill.org website. Social media influencers nationwide will also share in the outreach.
In addition, HPBA will provide its members official Back to Barbecue Day graphics and content, encouraging them to amplify the promotion to their customers to generate interest and excitement for their store or products.
About the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Va., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of barbecue, patio and hearth appliances, fuels and accessories. The association provides professional member services and industry support in education, statistics, government relations, marketing, advertising and consumer education.
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Media Contact: Eric Davis, FLM Harvest, 612-202-9407, eric@flmharvest.com