Is it my imagination, or are prize pools and team attendance declining at the same time?
There are some major events with long histories that seem to continue with large purses and team attendance.
They have a life of their own.
Others make it because they are some special qualifier or such.
But, it seems that a lot of newer and smaller events are declining in attendance rapidly.
They appear to have trouble with sponsorship money (understandably) and are therefore dramatically reducing their prize pool.
When the prize pool shrinks, the number of teams shrinks.
Then, the smaller number of teams causes further reductions in the prize pools at later events.
Of course, some teams have had to severly restrict their schedule due to personal ecomomic problems.
We have even had a couple of early event cancelations down here--apparently due to lack of confidence in their ability to cover a decent prize pool through sponsorship, team fees, and public attendance.
Also, many teams are like us and do not commit till shortly before the event due to the economic uncertainties. Organizers get cold feet with a low sign up rate early. At least I assume they do.
Catch 22. If they do not pay decent money, the teams will not come in large numbers. The fewer the teams, the less the prize money.
GOTCHA -- CATCH 22 :evil:
Down here, a lot of purses are at 60% or less of last year.
It costs us about $800-$1000 per event to compete down here.
I have no dreams of making even a nickle from BBQ, but I do need to have a reasonable chance of recovering about 50% or so (on average) to continue to fund this hobby. And, a reasonable chance is based on our cooking of quality BBQ and scoring in the top ranges on at least a couple of meats. If we cant do that, well, it is a lick on us and we need to eat the expense.
Last fall, we actually almost broke even in two events with a first, third, fourth, and fifth in catagory, and a fourth overall. About $1450 or so. They were paying $500 for first, $400 for second, $300 for third, $200 for fourth, and $100 for fifth. That really helped us survive.
That payout has been pretty much standard in the area.
Not so this year.
This year, we took Fifth in 2 meats at one event for $150 and a 4th in one meat for $75 at another. Total of $225. Under last years "normal" payouts, this would have been $400 or so and would have really made a difference.
Here is a typical payout at an event coming up this year. Even lower.
Entry fee--$250
Place Amount
1st Place $450.00
2nd Place $250.00
3rd Place $100.00
4th Place $50.00
5th Place $25.00
6th-10th Place Trophy
Grand Champion $1300.00
Reserve Champion $1100.00
3rd Place Overall $125.00
4th Place Overall $75.00
5th Place Overall $50.00
So, to have a reasonable chance of recovering even $400 or so, we would have to place at a level that would probably result in a GC or RGC. :twisted:
Fat chance of that with Bub-Ba-Que and Rub pounding on each other for the qualifier wins.
I know--a rambling post.
But, I just wish things would even out financially and we could get back to normal.
And, I admire any organizer that can put together a small event in these times.
Maybe petition the PREZ for a BBQ Bailout?
Just don't know.
TIM
There are some major events with long histories that seem to continue with large purses and team attendance.
They have a life of their own.
Others make it because they are some special qualifier or such.
But, it seems that a lot of newer and smaller events are declining in attendance rapidly.
They appear to have trouble with sponsorship money (understandably) and are therefore dramatically reducing their prize pool.
When the prize pool shrinks, the number of teams shrinks.
Then, the smaller number of teams causes further reductions in the prize pools at later events.
Of course, some teams have had to severly restrict their schedule due to personal ecomomic problems.
We have even had a couple of early event cancelations down here--apparently due to lack of confidence in their ability to cover a decent prize pool through sponsorship, team fees, and public attendance.
Also, many teams are like us and do not commit till shortly before the event due to the economic uncertainties. Organizers get cold feet with a low sign up rate early. At least I assume they do.
Catch 22. If they do not pay decent money, the teams will not come in large numbers. The fewer the teams, the less the prize money.
GOTCHA -- CATCH 22 :evil:
Down here, a lot of purses are at 60% or less of last year.
It costs us about $800-$1000 per event to compete down here.
I have no dreams of making even a nickle from BBQ, but I do need to have a reasonable chance of recovering about 50% or so (on average) to continue to fund this hobby. And, a reasonable chance is based on our cooking of quality BBQ and scoring in the top ranges on at least a couple of meats. If we cant do that, well, it is a lick on us and we need to eat the expense.
Last fall, we actually almost broke even in two events with a first, third, fourth, and fifth in catagory, and a fourth overall. About $1450 or so. They were paying $500 for first, $400 for second, $300 for third, $200 for fourth, and $100 for fifth. That really helped us survive.
That payout has been pretty much standard in the area.
Not so this year.
This year, we took Fifth in 2 meats at one event for $150 and a 4th in one meat for $75 at another. Total of $225. Under last years "normal" payouts, this would have been $400 or so and would have really made a difference.
Here is a typical payout at an event coming up this year. Even lower.
Entry fee--$250
Awards
Place Amount
1st Place $450.00
2nd Place $250.00
3rd Place $100.00
4th Place $50.00
5th Place $25.00
6th-10th Place Trophy
Grand Champion $1300.00
Reserve Champion $1100.00
3rd Place Overall $125.00
4th Place Overall $75.00
5th Place Overall $50.00
So, to have a reasonable chance of recovering even $400 or so, we would have to place at a level that would probably result in a GC or RGC. :twisted:
Fat chance of that with Bub-Ba-Que and Rub pounding on each other for the qualifier wins.
I know--a rambling post.
But, I just wish things would even out financially and we could get back to normal.
And, I admire any organizer that can put together a small event in these times.
Maybe petition the PREZ for a BBQ Bailout?
Just don't know.
TIM
