Page 24 - MARCH 2020 Barbecue News Magazine

ATTENDING THE 2020 NBBQA NATIONAL CONFERENCE?
We are one month away from the annual NBBQA National Conference or what many in the BBQ community
call it, the Family Reunion. Every year the BBQ community gathers in a di昀erent city spreading the love and, especially, the business of BBQ. In years past giants have come together not to brag or pat each other on the back but rather build each other up so everyone will have a slice of this pie. Those in our family who have achieved some success make themselves readily available to everyone, which will be even more the case this year than perhaps, years past. Whether you are a backyard cook looking to make this hobby into a business or you have a BBQ business but just want to make it better, there will be a place for you to plug in.
In order to accomplish this, there are seven distinct areas in which you can get plugged in for your business. Speci昀cally designed to provide opportunities to grow your business, enhance your BBQ footprint and have some fun while doing it. However, keep in mind, to get the most out of your national conference experience, you must participate in one way or the other. If you’re not leading a session or cooking one of the food sport opportunities, you can still participate by being an “active” onlooker. Many contracts, deals and agreements have been made at the NBBQA while taking an active spectator role.
THERE ARE SEVEN DISTINCT AREAS OF EDUCATION & MARKETING TO AID YOU IN THE GROWTH OF YOUR BUSINESS.
#1 – CULINARY FIGHT CLUB
Last year the NBBQA kicked o昀 the conference on Wednesday night with the First Annual NBBQA Culinary Fight Club event. If you aren’t familiar with the CFC then here is a brief overview of what takes place. There are several teams who develop a dish for the judges while only using the ingredients provided. Often there is a theme so the teams can have an idea of what they would like to cook but it really depends on the pantry table. The head cook only has 45 seconds to gather all the items needed for the dish then the team goes to work while an audience looks on.
Last year this was such a huge hit among conference goers, they immediately said this must
come back for 2020 and as you can see, it is coming back. Last year we saw ten cooks from various experiences compete for the title of CFC Winner. World champions, TV personalities, and chefs came together where we saw the Paci昀c Northwest BBQ cook, Jason Bauer come out on top with Kansas City’s own, Craig Carter taking the people’s choice. Who will take it this year? Whoever it is, you’re not going to want to miss it.
BarbecueNews.com - 24
MARCH 2020