Opening Session
Fueling the Future: People, AI and the Next Era of Our Industry
Join Jill McClure, President & CEO, and Kris Richardson, Board Chair, of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association for an inspiring Opening Session, Fueling the Future: People, AI, and the Next Era of Our Industry. Together, they’ll share industry insights and personal perspectives designed to spark new thinking and help you navigate what’s next for your business.
As part of the session, Jessica Voss-Kehl, Vice President of Innovation at Hearth & Home Technologies, will deliver a fast-paced, TED-talk style presentation, Innovation in an Age of Disruption: Why AI Will Strengthen, Not Replace, the Hearth Expert, offering a fresh perspective on how innovation and AI can empower professionals, elevate expertise, and drive meaningful growth across the industry.
Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 8:30–10AM
Opening Session Panel
Making the Shift: How Our Industry Stays Relevant in the Years to Come
The last five years have reshaped the hearth, outdoor living and barbecue industry in ways few could have predicted. Today’s customers are more informed, more selective, and ha more purchasing options than ever before. What worked a decade ago won’t be enough for the decade ahead.
This candid, forward-looking panel will explore how specialty retailers, distributors, and manufacturers must evolve to stay relevant in a changing economy. From the rise of direct channels and shifting buyer expectations to shrinking incidence rates and increasingly complex products, we’ll examine what’s fundamentally different about today’s landscape, and what that demands of all of us.
Thank You to Our Titanium Sponsor