This is good stuff..............
I believe I can now speak from experience organizing an event....... in conjunction with Mike..... We started the Avondale event in October...... Pulled it off in February........ exceeded our goal.........of raising monies.... and thank you so much for the competitors that made it happen..... without you...... it wouldn't have.......
My point....... when first breached with my district..... many could not visualize the event happening at the level it did... heck... they had no idea about bbqing..... just some guys showing up and using a grill....... well they have a new level of appreciation and they want it again......... I work a full time job running a school........ have another consulting job as well....... and I am sure many of you have jobs..... like Mike........ I have a great appreciation now for Mike.......... I can't even begin to tell you how much time I spent with that event in planning.... etc........ including the military........ and sponsors....... and A$$ kickin and John Deere are no small potatoe sponsors....... but even so....... their demands and time are incredible... and you know what..... If you want their support and MONEY......... you will cater to them...... and working with schools is NOT like working with businesses........... they are very conservative........ So if you want the sponsors to pony up......and place their name on an event........ it better be more than just people showing up to eat bbq....... it needs to be an EVENT......... something special...... so I understand Mike's point about STATE Championship.......... so unless you have been in that saddle......... the ride is not so easy........it is really hard to pound the pavement and raise money..... try it... I agree........ you don't want to water down the state championship...... but if we have certified our own judges...... then we do have a 3rd party situation with judging..... now running the event with a 3rd party could be tougher..... because you will have to pay them too........ MORE MONEY... needed..... Also.......... I found out just how tough it is to cook and run an event.. WOW>..... I don't know how Mike does it and wins......... trust me....... I would pick cooking over running the event and cooking......... and regarding the other association......maybe this is the link for commonality...... because they are in the same boat............ then we have doubled our abilities..............and talents..............
I would be more than happy to start a thread on organizations and their successes......... I do know........ the greatest risk one takes....... IS NOT TAKING IT............... as experienced as those creating dialogue in this thread........ we certainly have the experience and knowledge to create our own destiny......... there use to be just the big 3 car companies...... and no one could touch them.......... so they thought......... how many are there now? Time to place a dent in the universe..... We can do this and still have KC events..........and again...... it sounds like you don't need their blessing to participate in the big events........................ by the way...... the icbs.... is cheaper.......... about $1500......to sanction.....