[Paul]

We decided on Scottsdale because for the extra $50 you get the best of both worlds.....you get to compete and you get to do PC. Last year we made over $800 in PC and ran out of food two hours in........we will be coming strong for PC this year.

[Jaybird]

I don't think having the events on the same day effected either one.  One is a competition, and the other is a Sampling/Peoples Choice.  Two very different formats.  Both entry fees are very high.  400.00 for Scottsdale and 350.00 for Chandler. 

Actually I don't think $400 is too high for a $20,000 contest. As I have said before we have paid $300 for a $5,000 IBCA contest at BBQ Island before. That, for me, will never happen again.

[grizmt]

I don't think having the events on the same day effected either one.  One is a competition, and the other is a Sampling/Peoples Choice.  Two very different formats.  Both entry fees are very high.  400.00 for Scottsdale and 350.00 for Chandler. 

We looked at Chandler as well as Scottsdale (obviously from our vending perspective) and figured the fee for Chandler couldn't be supported by the short vending time or competition from surrounding business. Not that it's going to be a rotten event, Im sure it'll be fun but like the bbq teams we have to justify cost vs probability of return. I'll be interested to see if we made the correct choice.

[Mike (AZBarbeque)]

Vending time at Chandler is actually an hour longer than Scottsdale Jim...

The good thing about the Chandler event is that you get to keep all the cash from your $2 samples & $4 mini plates Plus the amount of marketing specifically for your business will be worth 10 times what you pay whereas in Scottsdale, only the event is being promoted.

[Rob Albach]

Actually I don't think $400 is too high for a $20,000 contest. As I have said before we have paid $300 for a $5,000 IBCA contest at BBQ Island before. That, for me, will never happen again.

I agree...$400 for 20K...potential payout....is reasonable

[Crash]

I agree that the entry fee is reasonable for the payout.  For the newer teams, $400 might make them leary and $450 will push more than a few away.

[barbedQ]

Half of BBQ Magic will be there. Mel and I are doing this one on our own.   

[grizmt]

Vending time at Chandler is actually an hour longer than Scottsdale Jim...

The good thing about the Chandler event is that you get to keep all the cash from your $2 samples & $4 mini plates Plus the amount of marketing specifically for your business will be worth 10 times what you pay whereas in Scottsdale, only the event is being promoted.

What I was referring to and I'm sorry if I was not clear is vending times specific to our product not BBQ as ours tend to be shorter. This is why I said it'll be interesting to see if we chose correctly.

[grizmt]

I agree that the entry fee is reasonable for the payout.  For the newer teams, $400 might make them leary and $450 will push more than a few away.

With the exception of one group we're seeing and hearing fees everywhere are either up or remaining high. With fuel/meat going up with no end in sight I would imagine a drop in attendance from teams and vendors alike.

[rodliv]

The hard part for us is not the entry fee but the $450.00 for gas to and from Scottsdale.  Still on the fence for this one but who knows until the last minute?

[grizmt]

I was thinking about this fee subject alot lately since it hits us as hard or harder than teams and I've come to the conclusion what may drive teams (and vendors alike) to certain comps may well become the odds of larger crowds. It may well come down to promotion of the events with the eye towards P.C. sales making up or at least offsetting some of the higher costs. I know of at least one team that could care less about how they do on the comp side, they want to make all their money selling and usually do well.
What interests me is how this may change the face of BBQ comps. Will we be seeing commercials soon?

[glenntm]

With the exception of one group we're seeing and hearing fees everywhere are either up or remaining high. With fuel/meat going up with no end in sight I would imagine a drop in attendance from teams and vendors alike.

I agree Jim, but there are certain costs that don't change.  Meat, and supplies.  With lower entry fees that usually means less prize money.  Less prize money usually means tighter payout schedule.  Not paying as deep in the field, and it makes it difficult to break even.  While this is a hobby (an expensive one) everyone is trying to break even on events.  Just my thoughts...

[AzScott]

Yea, but at the same time there are many teams that could care less about PC.  We may or may not pc our competition meats depending upon if we have friends or family hanging out.  We're going into Scottsdale heavy but we also have a couple of people that want to handle all pc for us.  If it were just the two of us we wouldn't serve pc since our foremost goal is doing well in the competition.  We would rather hang out, drink a beer, and go talk with other teams instead of making minimal money on pc.  Food costs have dramatically increased and at $0.70 - $1.00 compensation per ticket it doesn't seem worth the hassle to us.  In addition, crowds have varied greatly at the events we have been to.  Star Pass, Queen Creek, and Sun City showed us that if you decide to load up for PC, you also need to be ready to eat that cost.  We go into and budget every event assuming to recoup and win nothing financially.

[Mrs. McFrankenboo]

I was thinking about this fee subject alot lately since it hits us as hard or harder than teams and I've come to the conclusion what may drive teams (and vendors alike) to certain comps may well become the odds of larger crowds. It may well come down to promotion of the events with the eye towards P.C. sales making up or at least offsetting some of the higher costs. I know of at least one team that could care less about how they do on the comp side, they want to make all their money selling and usually do well.
What interests me is how this may change the face of BBQ comps. Will we be seeing commercials soon?

I agree with Scott & Tom.  We don't do this to take home a lot of money on PC.  In the beginning, we would vend the PC money and use our practice stuff to vend as well but now, it's too difficult with just the 2 of us during turn-ins.  We will usually try to vend the leftovers if we aren't too tired but end up paying gas money if we're lucky.  Jim, I'm not sure what you pay to be a vendor, but I can see how larger crowds would affect your decision.  However, as a team, that doesn't affect our decision at all.  Like Tom said, larger entry fees usually bring about larger and deeper payouts.  With that being said though, some of these entry fees are getting ridiculous and don't have the payouts to back them up.  With the price of gas that is being expected this summer, there will be an issue with some newer teams, especially if there isn't any PC to help offset that cost (not all events allow that). 

[AZWildcat]

I agree with Scott & Tom.  We don't do this to take home a lot of money on PC.  In the beginning, we would vend the PC money   With the price of gas that is being expected this summer, there will be an issue with some newer teams, especially if there isn't any PC to help offset that cost (not all events allow that). 

Absolutely! I will tell you as a small newer team, only 4 events in, we count on PC to help a little. It's generally not much, but a few hundred is essential, if only to help mentally justify the costs and effort. I'm not counting on pulling any $$ yet (but soon I hope), so if we don't do PC it's likely a 100% loss. When we did Wildomar, it was very pricey (500 miles each way) counting the gas w/ our 5th wheel, entry fees, and very limited PC. We didn't go to 2010 Get Your Pig On, specifically because of no PC allowed, only the PC contest. Heck, they even wanted a fee if you were to sell your t-shirts for $$. If it's real close to home, maybe i'll see past no PC, but we really need PC to help offset costs. I'm hoping to get into the Sams Club Comp (2nd on the waitlist) even though no PC, but it's local with 30 teams. At $250.00, that's a fightin chance in my book.

Let's face it, most of the comps are made from smaller teams who struggle to keep up. If you raise the fees and box those teams out, how many teams will you end up having?

It's a double-edged sword sometimes. I'm sure Mike has had to deal with this dilemma from his comps......