You are correct on what it takes to qualify for the invitational, a GC or 1st place in any one of the meat categories in any IBCA sanctioned contest. I could have been a little bit clearer.
As far as the invitational itself, it is just the one meat which changes each year. The prize money isn't all that much so I guess one meat is acceptable.
The Sunday event itself did have added money though. I think I got twice as much added money as the actual prize money. The guy who won 1st place in one of the categories, I think it was brisket, wasn't a member of IBCA so he missed out on $575 and the prizes slipped one place and the final table 16th place finisher received a check too. That is one great thing about IBCA, the money is more greatly distributed amongst the teams. If there is a grand champion cash award it isn't normally all that high. I think this adds to allowing more teams the enjoyment and brings back more teams for a chance at the cash. Sometimes you only need to walk in one category to have the event covered cash wise.