NBBQA Annual Conference 2022

Come join us at the River Ranch, in Ft. Worth Texas.  The NBBQA Annual Conference gathers members and people from across the industry to network, learn and participate in a variety of topics and activities around the Business of BBQ. Whether you are a product owner, run a restaurant, are involved in media, or any other sector of BBQ, there are boundless opportunities to network, learn, and grow at this popular event.

It's been 2 years, too long since we've gathered together.  This year, we really wanted to minimize the financial barriers that would keep members from coming.  We have lowered the conference fee significantly to motivate you to take the trip.

There are a variety of conference registration options:

• Member Package - $399.00  - All networking events including AOE dinner, education, and most meals (Only available to NBBQA members)
• Non-Member Package - $599.00 - All networking events including AOE dinner, education, and most meals
• Meals Only Package - $250  for guests/spouses of attendees. This covers all meals for the event and activities during that time. 
• Exhibitors Add on - Exhibitors spots are 10x10. $300 for members. $500 for non-members.

ALL Registrations are welcome up to 3 days prior to the conference

What are the meals and networking events?

• Sunday Registration and Member Welcome Reception 4:00 - 6:00 PM
• Monday Breakfast - Key Note Speaker
• Monday  Lunch (Texas Food Trucks to support the locals) 
• Monday Dinner - Awards of Excellence Ceremony
• Tuesday - Continental Breakfast
• Tuesday Lunch - Meet the Masters
• Tuesday Dinner - Night of Fire

Registration Link

What are the educational sessions?

• These can be found HERE

Sunday, April 3, 2022

4:00pm – 6:00pm:  Membership Mixer and Registration at River Ranch -

                                  Everyone is invited to welcome our new members. 

 Monday, April 4, 2022 _ Day 1 of Conference

8:00 am – 9:00 am:             

• Breakfast and Keynote Speaker Randy Sutton (Main Ballroom)

9:15 am – 10:15 am: (choose from 2 sessions)

• Trends In the Rub and Sauce Industry. How To Make Your Brand Stand Out in A Crowded Market presented by Old World Spices’ Amy Jungk (Trophy Room)
• American Lamb Baaa-utchery presented by Mary Humann of the American Lamb Board (Outside Stage)

10:30 am – 12:00 pm:  Vendor Showcase Visits and Networking Opportunities

 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm:  Lunch with TraumaHogs

 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm: (choose from 2 sessions)

• Social Media Influencer Panel (Trophy Room) - Brooke Orrison Lewis, Brad Orrison, Moe Cason, Bob Trudnak, and Matt Pittman, Al Forgoni and others
• Southern Dimensions Food Truck/Trailer Panel (Outside Field) - Nick Boyce, and Ozzie Valentin with SDG, Mike Massaglia with Messy Mike's, Jason Cottingham of TraumaHogs, and Stretch from Grinder's Pizza.

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm:           

• Meet the Masters Panel – In the Main Ballroom: Gather around and listen to this amazing group: Mark Lambert of Sweet Swine O’Mine Distributing and World Champion, Sunny Moody of Mood Swing BBQ and World Food Champion, Lee Ann Whippen – Celebrity Pitmaster, Judge, Competitor, Restauranteur, Radio Host, and Brand Ambassador, Shannon Snell – Sonny’s BBQ Pitmaster and All American and NFL Football Player, and Brad Orrison – The Shed BBQ & Champion Competitor, Junior Urias – TV Celebrity, Texas BBQ Pitmasters Champ & ‘Up in Smoke’ Restaurant Owner, Bob Trudnak - Celebrity Grillmaster and Iconic BBQ Instructor, and Moe Cason -  TV Personality, Celebrity Pitmaster & Judge, & Sauce & Rub Manufacturer.

3:45 pm – 4:45 pm: (choose from 2 sessions)            

• Marketing Matters: Live Q & A with Industry Experts Brooke Orrison – The Shed, Monique Yeager – 4 Rivers BBQ, and Katie Tarhanas and Montana Coleman – Sonny’s BBQ (Trophy Room)
• Whole Hog Cooking Class with Danny Montgomery (Outside)

6:00 – 6:30pm:  Cocktails

6:30 – 8:30 pm: AOE Awards Dinner (Main Ballroom)

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – Day 2 of Conference 

8:00 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast and Keynote Speaker Sunny Moody (Main Ballroom)

 9:15 am – 10:15 am: (choose from 2 sessions)

• Catering Class - Presented by Craig Carter (Trophy Room and Kitchen)
• Charcoal 101 - Presented by Joey Machado (Outside Stage)

10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Vendor Showcase Visits and Networking Opportunities

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm:  Lunch with Prairie Fresh & Membership Meeting

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm: (choose from 2 sessions)

• Ole Hickory Trouble Shooting and Repair - Presented by Mark Lambert (Kitchen)
• Products to Market Panel - Presented by BBQ Brands (Trophy Room)

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm:  How Did I Survive the Last Two Years - Bryan McLarty of 407 BBQ (Trophy Room)

3:45 pm – 4:45 pm:  How We Made the Top 10 Presented by Panthers BBQ, a Top 10 BBQ Joint in Texas for 2021 (Trophy Room)

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm:  NBBQA vs HSBBQ Smokeout/Awards for BBQ Cookoff - Meet an amazing group of Texas Teenagers as they compete against some of the finest adults in the BBQ World.  (Outside)

Refund Policy

If you should, unfortunately, need to cancel refunds will be given as below:              
   Prior to 30 days              90% refund               
   Prior to 7 days                75% refund                   
   48 hours or less              0% refund