Cancelled Contest

[sfisch]

Got word today that the Mt. Morris event has been cancelled due to costs exceeding revenues. The event coordinator has some good points, some that he would like passed along to the membership to help with the future of BBQ contests in Michigan.
Here is part of his email:

I know that you will be having meetings with competitive teams and others,
so I just want to pass along something that is extremely important to the
future success of BBQ Competitions in Michigan...
When teams constantly call an event producer to check as to whether the
contest is a qualifier or not, rather than entering the contest, it affects
the success of the competition. This "Mexican Stand-off" (please pardon the
politically incorrect reference) has been the single-most aggravating factor
in dealing with Sanctioned BBQ Competitions. Competitive teams really need
to understand that, when everybody takes a "wait and see" approach, they are
killing the competitions. I fear that, should this continue to be a factor,
you will see many more BBQ Competitions cancelled in the future, and I think
it's a shame.

Chris and his team have put on a great contest in the past and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank them.

Scott

[Ron_L]

Thanks for the update, Scott. Unless things changed dramatically, we would probably never cook Mt. Morris since there are competitions closer to home, but it's a shame to see any competition go away.

Chris makes a good point, but I'm not sure what to do about it. If a team's goal is to get into the draw for the Jack, then they want to make sure that a competition will be a qualifier. If they have options on a particular weekend, knowing if either comp has reached the minimum team limit will be a deciding factor. Also, even without a choice, the cost to mobilize for a competition goes beyond the entry fee and typically averages $500-$600 for us. Again, if my goal is the Jack, I don't want to spend that kind of money just to find out that the competition isn't going to help me reach my goals.

Most competition state that there will be no refunds for any reason once an entry fee is sent in. So, if I send in my application and money I'm stuck, even if the comp doesn't make the minimum number of teams. Maybe allowing teams to get a refund if the comp isn't a qualifier is a good option. It would put some pressure on the organizer to reach the team limit, but teams would be more likely to commit sooner.

[mikerobes]

I guess I didn't know teams did that, but I am not surprised. What a bummer, That was a close one for me anyway.

[BruceB]

I guess I didn't know teams did that, but I am not surprised. What a bummer, That was a close one for me anyway.

Close one for the RRS crew also, but we have to look on the bright side; we'll save a little on our beer budget.;):rolleyes:

[mikerobes]

Close one for the RRS crew also, but we have to look on the bright side; we'll save a little on our beer budget.;):rolleyes:

And that was the contest I had picked out to repay you that 6 pack. now what?:p

[Rich Parker]

That's too bad I had a great time there and thought it was a well ran comp. Great music and venue.

[sfisch]

Thanks for the update, Scott. Unless things changed dramatically, we would probably never cook Mt. Morris since there are competitions closer to home, but it's a shame to see any competition go away.

Chris makes a good point, but I'm not sure what to do about it. If a team's goal is to get into the draw for the Jack, then they want to make sure that a competition will be a qualifier. If they have options on a particular weekend, knowing if either comp has reached the minimum team limit will be a deciding factor. Also, even without a choice, the cost to mobilize for a competition goes beyond the entry fee and typically averages $500-$600 for us. Again, if my goal is the Jack, I don't want to spend that kind of money just to find out that the competition isn't going to help me reach my goals.

Most competition state that there will be no refunds for any reason once an entry fee is sent in. So, if I send in my application and money I'm stuck, even if the comp doesn't make the minimum number of teams. Maybe allowing teams to get a refund if the comp isn't a qualifier is a good option. It would put some pressure on the organizer to reach the team limit, but teams would be more likely to commit sooner.


That pretty much nails it Ron, there is no right or wrong way to look at this from the prospective of each side, organizer and participant. With limited numbers of contests in the surrounding area and many teams having to pick 2,3,4 or whatever, they most likely would pick ones that they know will be qualifiers. In a perfect world, we would all be able to cook all contests, qualifiers, sanctioned or non-sanctioned but that's alot of chicken to b*tch about!!

Scott