Page 33 - July 2020 Barbecue News Magazine

your disposal who have “been there, done that” and willing to help you in every way they possibly can. As a member you will have access to the member directory in which you can contact them to ask questions which can lead you to a successful future.
Access to World Champions
The Who’s Who of BBQ are members of the NBBQA, many of whom are world champions. Do you have questions about BBQ, grilling a steak or even something else cooking re- lated? Who else would be better to ask than the world champions who, just as you, are members of the NBBQA? They are accessible to you to answer questions or perhaps they will even invite you to be a member of their team at Memphis in May or another World championship. This does- n’t even take into account all those who have finished as runner-up to these champions who also have tons of expert- ise to share as well.
Networking opportunities throughout the country
Networking is a vital part of any person looking to elevate their business or personal brand. For years the NBBQA members would gather together once a year at different places around the country and this would be the only time the NBBQA membership saw each other. Although the na- tional conference is amazing and once you attend you don’t want to miss another, we realized we could have mini NBBQA gatherings around the country where many of our members already attended. Large events such as the Ameri- can Royal or smaller events such as a local cook-off in Florida, they all had one thing in common, NBBQA is the place to be.
Opportunity to enter products in the Awards of Excellence
We all think we have the best BBQ sauce or seafood rub. Maybe it’s the new product we just developed which will change the face of outdoor cooking. Whatever it is, one of the best ways to market it, is to be an award winner and the NBBQA Awards of Excellence is just the place. This past year there were approximately 30 categories in which to enter. From rubs and sauces to media and websites, they all had a place. As a member you not only can enter but can do so at a discounted rate.
Business Membership Access
We have many great business partners in the NBBQA which you can see by clicking the business directory. We have some who offer discounts on their products exclusively to the NBBQA membership. Aside from this, it is great to be support others in the business who support the same associ-
ation of which you are a part.
As you can see there are plenty of benefits to becoming a member of the NBBQA. If you’re reading this and already a member, we ask that you simply spread the word, the BBQ love, to those who need to become a member. Whose busi- ness or dream of business is BBQ related. Let them know we are one big BBQ family, the NBBQA family. Here is a testi- monial from one of our members
“Why I am a Member of the NBBQA”
If you have ever been around a young child then you’ve un- doubtedly heard this question a thousand times, “Why?” “Why is the sky blue?” “Why are you doing that?” “Why does a dog chase a cat?” These “why” questions do not even scratch the surface of all those questions the little ones ask. One parent will often remind the other they will grow out of it soon. But do they really grow out of it or just begin to learn how to investigate to find the answers for themselves. Of course, they will save the more complex ones for you.
However, as I’ve gotten older, as with many of you as well I assume, we still are asking questions which begin with, “Why.” This difference is now a lot of our “why” questions re- quire deeper investigation and could have much more com- plicated answers. Those answers then require a choice and most likely an investment. For example, “Why is my car not running correctly?” Now, this is an answer which will invite you to troubleshoot, investigate and most likely invest some money and/or time. Which brings me here today with a question I’ve been asked many times (as well as I’ve asked myself), “Why should I be a member of the NBBQA?” So, here are a few of my answers.
Love of BBQ
Most everyone connected to this organization can echo this sentiment. This love for outdoor cooking came around long before I had ever heard of the NBBQA. Since then it has been fostered and cultivated with the relationships, I have built by being a part of something bigger. Before joining the NBBQA cooking outside was relegated to something my brother & I did in a Char Grill offset smoker. Before that, it started with burgers and hotdogs around a grill or campfire.
Since joining the NBBQA my love of BBQ has grown deeper as my relationships have grown deeper. I count many I’ve come to know as very close friends. Although I love this out- door cooking, it’s the relationships made in the NBBQA which has moved this from being just another cuisine to be- coming a lifestyle, a love for BBQ and its family.
JULY 2020
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