NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The National BBQ Association will hold its annual conference in Nashville, March 3-7, 2015, at the Sheraton Music City Hotel. The annual event, which is focused on the business of barbecue, attracts hundreds of BBQ experts, enthusiasts, and aspiring BBQ professionals from coast to coast. The five-day gathering is a combination of education, trade show, networking and promoting the art and lifestyle of BBQ, with a little friendly competition and a whole lot of fun.

As part of its mission to share the fast-growing interest in low-and-slow cooking, the NBBQA invites the public to events on Saturday, March 7, including a celebrity steak cook-off and a BBQ Bash. A full schedule of events for the general public will be posted at in the coming weeks.

“No question, Nashville is the hottest city in the nation right now, and we’re excited to explore the music, the food and the fantastic barbecue it offers,” said Roy Slicker, NBBQA president. Anyone in any aspect of the barbecue business will benefit from this conference, but we also welcome the general public to come check out what we’re up to.”

Jack Cawthon, owner of Nashville-based Jack’s Bar-B-Que, long-time member of the NBBQA and member of the conference planning committee, is making sure conference attendees enjoy some of Nashville’s finest barbecue during the annual bus tours.

“Nashville’s finest barbecue establishments will blow folks away,” said Cawthon. “Music City can hold its own when it comes to ‘cue.” The bus tours are slated for Wednesday, March 4, 2015, and sign up will be available for registration with the rest of the conference on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.

The 2015 NBBQA conference will also feature a two-day trade show showcasing a huge array of grills, smokers, BBQ equipment and accessories. Conference goers can attend many exciting seminars led by well-respected BBQ standouts, representing successful businesses nationwide with thousands of medals and awards in BBQ competitions internationally. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the best at a variety of presentations and training sessions.

Tickets are available to both registering conference attendees Tuesday, November 4. Check regularly for updates on the conference schedule and events open to the general public.

“There’s no better place to discover the world of BBQ than at our conference,” said Slicker. “Whether you are a supplier, a seasoned competitor, a restaurateur who wants to grow and connect, or a home cook with a recipe or product idea, this conference has something to offer you.”

Founded in 1991, the National Barbecue Association (NBBQA) is dedicated to bringing barbecue enthusiasts together and supporting the barbecue industry. NBBQA’S goals are to promote the recognition and integrity of the industry, facilitate effective networking of industry resources, foster new business opportunities for its members, and educate and inform the public about the art and enjoyment of barbecue. For more information, visit .