The Pro team count at the GBC was off substantially in 2008, but that was in part due to KCBS stupidly sanctioning another contest on the same weekend that cost us several teams. Interestingly the Backyard Division is growing rapidly to the point where it's entirely possible we will have more amateur cooks than pro teams in 2009. Yes, sponsors are feeling the pinch. Since we fund all our prize money with entry fees, payouts will only be reduced if signups fall, but we will likely have to cut back on the freebies we have supplied to the teams in the past.
Just for a couple of examples, the cost to provide our Hospitality Tent was over $8,000, and giving out free ice over $1,500. I doubt that our sponsors will be able to sustain that level of giving with the economy beating them up.
As for my cook team, we hope to at least do the same number of shows as last year if not add a couple. However, unexpected drops in finances could change all that, and we're already seeing that staff cutbacks at one team member's job means it will be difficult for him to get Fridays off for all our contest dates.
