[BBQCZAR]

This is the current  poll that is being  done over at Ray Basso's forum. What is everyone opinion ? With the high price of gas and the higher meat prices what price do you consider to be just too much to do a competition ? What about when promoters charge extra for a little more space because you have an RV ? What about when they charge extra for electric ? The current poll at Ray Bassos show that 45% people say that anything between $301 to $400 is too much for any contest,no matter if its a $10K or $50K contest.Nice to see contests like Williams this year,and Taste of Country series   that are only $250 and include electric for that price,and no extra fee if you need an extra 10 feet or so.So,what is everyone else breaking point ?

[AZWildcat]

With the economy, food is the least of our cost increases. It's mostly gas and entry fee. I think charging extra for a few extra feet of RV space is bull, and i'll leave it at that. I'm not entering a comp where I have to pay another hundred bucks for 10 more feet, period. The charge for electricity is another debate, but I want a flat charge without having to look through a menu of options like i'm at McDonald's. I'm sure the promoter details this as a way of keeping costs down, and maybe it's true, but virtually everyone uses some electricity, even if it's a lightbulb or so (and I know getting elec to an event is very expensive). My breaking point is $300 w/ elec and 30 feet of rv space, but I consider $250 to be a very attractive price, and not having to drive 500 miles each way. We do PC, and tend to put money into the event's pot that way too, which IMHO is practically free money (minus the health permits) to the event/cause. My point may be full of ignorance, since I can't imagine the amount of $$ or hard work that it takes to put one on, but that's from a competitors view.

[BBQCZAR]

I have been doing research about other events around the US and I find that most all either have electric and that is included in the entry fee price,or they have no electric at all.I also now find most contest organizers are doing larger spaces for same price because they know about the RV sizes.

[seacus]

SEACUS's BBQ cook off in Safford this month has a $160.00 entry fee.  Most can drive only 300 miles to get here!  As an event coordinator I think it's important to take into accounty the experience of your competitors.  Without yall, we wouldn't have an event 

[grizmt]

As a vendor we sympathize as we're seeing higher fees as well and it's making it harder and harder to make it work. The higher entry fees for teams hits us as well due to less participation at events which leads to less foot traffic at our rig.
I get that generator costs have gone up with the fuel costs but I'd be interested to know what other organizer costs have gone up? I don't believe there's a cost for the land they sit it on so what exactly has gone up so much that you're seeing $400 entries and we're seeing $500-$1000 PLUS 20% +/- fees?
From where we stand (lack of knowledge?) it just looks like someone trying to "bleed the pig" for all it's worth because they can and at this rate will eventually suck the pig dry killing the pig.
Just to be clear, I don't begrudge anyone a profit and maximizing one's profit is the american way but at some point you have to ask "at what cost"?

I'm serious, I don't know the answer and would love for someone to educate me on this.

[AzScott]

If I'm paying high fees I'm expecting a well run contest and decent payouts.  On the flip side, low entries and low payouts isn't that attractive either since it's that much harder to pay for participating.  I guess I view the fee's with the payout and if there's somewhat of a possibility I can pay for the contest with a couple of good placings it's much easier to sent the check in.  Another factor is who will be competing.  The chance to compete against some really good teams like the Sam's regional was worth it to me even though it cost me $1000 to do without winning a dime.