WARREN — An international firewood expo will take place at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds next month.

Joe Nay, owner of Ohio Wood Burner LTD., Cortland, said he is sponsoring what is being billed as the largest International Firewood Expo on May 2 and 3 in Bazetta.

Nay invited Trumbull County commissioners to the event and said he expects 40 manufacturers of wood-burning equipment and associated products to attend.

Nay has more than 50,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, according to Samantha Ensminger, a manager with the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau. His Youtube channel has more than 15 million views from more than 50 countries.

“I’m an accidental owner of a wood burner business,” he said. “It started about seven years ago as a side hustle.”

During the 2020 pandemic, when his father became ill and he needed to take care of him, Nay made a YouTube video of a firewood processor he purchased.

“The video took off,” he said. “The company went from selling a few firewood processors to more than 500 per year thanks to my videos.”

The majority of Nay’s sales have been driven by restaurants. Ohio Wood Burner, 5286 state Route 5, is the firewood provider to dozens of restaurants throughout the Valley. However, he does some sales for individuals needing firewood for their wood burners.

About four years ago, Nay invited followers to his business in Cortland for an event.

“I only expected a few,” he said. “Several hundred showed up.”

Over the next few years, more and more started arriving at the annual event. Last year, law enforcement officials directed people off the side of the road.

“That’s when people from Trumbull County Tourism Bureau showed up, suggesting we should have the event at the Trumbull fairgrounds,” Nay said. “I never would have thought of that.”

“This is the largest firewood industry trade show in the world, and it will be occurring in Trumbull County.” he said. “We will have people from Finland, Sweden, Slovenia, Norway, Germany, the UK and Canada.”

Nay told commissioners Wednesday several companies he deals with have told him they are looking for new places to locate.

“I can make introductions,” he said. “It’ll be a good time to put the county’s best foot forward.”