MEMPHIS BBQFest > 2023 > 1 Month Away - $100,000 budget due to inflation! (1 Viewer)

[tipsy mcstagger]

 

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Two of our BBQfest team buddies did very well at the World Food Championships last night. 

Tommy (with "High Life on the Hog" BBQ Team) is GM and creative chef behind LBOE (Last Burger on Earth) here in Memphis. He and his team took the World Champion title in "Best Burger" category. 

Michael (with the "Canadian National BBQ Team") has finished in top 10 at World Food Championships ever year, but took 1st Place in "Best Recipe" category. 

To even qualify for the WFC you have to win a sanctioned regional event, so this is a pretty legitimate competition. Very happy for these guys. Doesn't hurt that I co-own a high stakes team with Tommy and we KO'd the top seed in the league yesterday as well.  

 

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In talks with the CEO of True Temper / Project X (golf-shaft juggernaut) about sponsoring our annual "Drunk Driving Range" with high end clubs, balls, and some cash for our troubles. 

Running into hiccups with our videographer. He's very talented and a good friend but his pricing is skyrocketing and he's cockblocking us a bit on some things we want to do with the footage. Going to shop around a bit. 

 

[Johnny Rock]

My BIL works on a laser cutting machine. He does stuff like this on the side for fun.

If you can send me the specs you need for this, i.e., logo, type of metal and thickness, etc. I'll ask him about it. Doubt it will cost much if at all. Also, even if you don't do the projection bit it might be cool to have a stainless steel, aluminum or steel cutout to hang up. If it's a huge digital file send me a link to the file on Google Drive or Dropbox. 

Thanks for the offer! Unfortunately our logo is pretty complex so I'm somehow thinking it would be hard to convert to a stencil effect, but if possible that would be great! 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1lqxkmhxwifat9k/Saucepects Logo Red.pdf?dl=0

I guess maybe check and see what his thoughts were? Thanks! 

@[icon] BIL couldn’t get it done in time for 2017 but I have a 10"H x 9-3/8"W stainless steel cutout "Usual Saucepects" logo in hand for you to review. Can I post pics or send them to you first? I think it’s pretty sick!

 

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@[icon] BIL couldn’t get it done in time for 2017 but I have a 10"H x 9-3/8"W stainless steel cutout "Usual Saucepects" logo in hand for you to review. Can I post pics or send them to you first? I think it’s pretty sick!

Oh damn! Yah could ya inbox me?  

 

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Wow... 

Soo... we've finalized our CDW/Cisco sponsor dinner for Thursday night, and are finalizing the CDW/Lenovo dinner for Friday night. That's about $23k and a huge chunk of our annual budget that's always nice to get locked down. 

We picked up a small marketing firm this year... and they've just dropped a bomb on us. They are inquiring about one of their clients, WC Bradley Co., getting involved. They are the parent company of Chargriller, Zebco Reels, and Lamplighter (Tiki brand torches & such). 

We're in the early stages of discussing what they want, but it's obviously a tremendous opportunity. Potential issues are conflicts (Southern Pride provides our SP-700 competition smoker), and Space. If they're looking to host a large group, we are already pretty much full with our other sponsorship arrangements. 

Hopefully we can find an arrangement that works for both parties, as they'd be an amazing, high-profile sponsor to bring on board. Any other team down there would straight up drop their pants at the chance of signing that sponsorship deal.  

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

i like dropping my pants

 

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i like dropping my pants

 

 

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Happy New Year ####ers! 

it's official... We've formally announced the return of the man, the myth, the legend....  @tipsy mcstagger

Still hammering out sponsorship deals and whatnot. Meeting next week to start chatting about contest food entries and stuff.  Memphis in May marketing is reaching out to us and wanting to use some of our content (photos/videos) to help promote the event, and will be doing live streams from our booth at some point during the festival.  

We've locked in Grindstone Creative to shoot/produce our 2018 Highlight Video. Here's a snippet of their wedding reel.. they are incredibly talented crew. This should be an epic highlight video from this year's festival. We still have a Video/media sponsorship open for $2500 that includes a short video/slideshow clip (we can produce) featured in our 2018 Highlight Video, to be shown throughout the festival on our 70" flatscreens in the booth, Full color vinyl banner in the booth, exposure as the video is shared online/socially (our 2016 clip surpassed 10k views), Plus 3 Days of the VIP treatment for a half dozen folks inside the booth.  

A bit of 100 days until the festival kicks off. So much to do.... 

 

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IF anyone is interested in attending, but hasn't booked hotels yet, I STRONGLY suggest you consider getting something locked down. Within the next few weeks i imagine inventory will get VERY scarce to nonexistent.

HOTELS: Currently Sheraton (4 stars - $209/night - Pretty Far) or Double Tree (3 Stars - $199/night - Mid-distance) are your best bets. High end hotels are now $400+ per night. 

AIRBNB: Apartments are still available for $80-100/night that are in solid areas that are pretty close. They are dwindling, however. 

As always if you have any questions about where/when to book, please let me know. 

 

[TheFanatic]

Wow... 

Soo... we've finalized our CDW/Cisco sponsor dinner for Thursday night, and are finalizing the CDW/Lenovo dinner for Friday night. That's about $23k and a huge chunk of our annual budget that's always nice to get locked down. 

We picked up a small marketing firm this year... and they've just dropped a bomb on us. They are inquiring about one of their clients, WC Bradley Co., getting involved. They are the parent company of Chargriller, Zebco Reels, and Lamplighter (Tiki brand torches & such). 

We're in the early stages of discussing what they want, but it's obviously a tremendous opportunity. Potential issues are conflicts (Southern Pride provides our SP-700 competition smoker), and Space. If they're looking to host a large group, we are already pretty much full with our other sponsorship arrangements. 

Hopefully we can find an arrangement that works for both parties, as they'd be an amazing, high-profile sponsor to bring on board. Any other team down there would straight up drop their pants at the chance of signing that sponsorship deal.  

Actually WC Bradley is the parent company of Char-Broil, not Chargriller, and also owns Saber Grills (highly recommended BTW in terms of gas grills). WC Bradly actually owned Coke for a few decades before selling them off and are now currently the single largest shareholder of Coke stock. They also own a bank and are the second largest credit card issuer in the world. All that being said, they are pretty frugal with the funds. Ask for a ton, but expect them to negotiate you way down, so aim high early. 

 

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Actually WC Bradley is the parent company of Char-Broil, not Chargriller, and also owns Saber Grills (highly recommended BTW in terms of gas grills). WC Bradly actually owned Coke for a few decades before selling them off and are now currently the single largest shareholder of Coke stock. They also own a bank and are the second largest credit card issuer in the world. All that being said, they are pretty frugal with the funds. Ask for a ton, but expect them to negotiate you way down, so aim high early. 

Good info. Thanks, GB. I know you know a lot more about this stuff than I do  

This would be going through their marketing firm, who are a sponsor of ours, so I'm guessing they would handle a good bit of the negotiation.

That said, I was very transparent about our relationship with Southern Pride with the marketing firm. They said WC Bradley wasn't jumping at the idea so it may be dead in the water... which is fine. I'm guessing the level of involvement they'd want is just not something we have available right now (a good problem to have). 

 

 

[TheFanatic]

Good info. Thanks, GB. I know you know a lot more about this stuff than I do  

This would be going through their marketing firm, who are a sponsor of ours, so I'm guessing they would handle a good bit of the negotiation.

That said, I was very transparent about our relationship with Southern Pride with the marketing firm. They said WC Bradley wasn't jumping at the idea so it may be dead in the water... which is fine. I'm guessing the level of involvement they'd want is just not something we have available right now (a good problem to have). 

 

I don't really see Southern Pride as an issue. Two vastly different segments of the BBQ world. Nobody is doing a google search on, "Should I get a Southern Pride or a Char-Broil Electric patio smoker?" I would chalk up the reason they are not jumping at the offer is because they are an extremely conservative and frugal company that takes their time to make decisions. I believe they are now in their 5th or 6th generation of ownership which is extremely rare. Patience is your friend here while they take forever to make a decision. 

 

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I don't really see Southern Pride as an issue. Two vastly different segments of the BBQ world. Nobody is doing a google search on, "Should I get a Southern Pride or a Char-Broil Electric patio smoker?" I would chalk up the reason they are not jumping at the offer is because they are an extremely conservative and frugal company that takes their time to make decisions. I believe they are now in their 5th or 6th generation of ownership which is extremely rare. Patience is your friend here while they take forever to make a decision. 

Gotcha... and very good point.  I definitely agree nobody's going to be deciding between an SP-700 and anything Char-broil makes  

My thoughts were they would want visible Charbroil signage, and us touting that we use Charbroil grills smokers. We are very open in our use of Southern Pride n media and signage at the booth. My guess is they'd want visibility, especially given Weber's heavy investment in visibility at the event. We wouldn't be able to tout use of their products as we simply don't use them. 

We ARE in need of a gas grill or two... we did have BULL reps in the booth last year offering to give/loan us a couple units, but that arrangement was through Troy who has been replaced by Tipsy (Thank ####### god  ). I may go for that angle with them, or reach out to Weber and try to get a Genesis on loan/demo since they already have a big presence out there. 

 

[TheFanatic]

Gotcha. 

My thoughts were they would want visible Charbroil signage, and us touting that we use Charbroil grills smokers. We are very open in our use of Southern Pride SP-700 in media and signage at the booth. I definitely agree nobody's going to be deciding between an SP-700 and anything Char-broil makes   My guess is they'd want visibility, especially given Weber's heavy investment in visibility at the event. We wouldn't be able to tout use of their products as we simply don't use them. 

We ARE in need of a gas grill or two... we did have BULL reps in the booth last year offering to give/loan us a couple units, but that arrangement was through Troy who has been replaced by Tipsy (Thank ####### god  ). I may go for that angle with them, or reach out to Weber and try to get a Genesis on loan/demo since they already have a big presence out there. 

That is a rock solid plan, my friend. Hold out for a Saber rather than anything Char-Broil would give you. I've got the name and # of the PR director for Saber, but since you are coming in over the top with WCB, you probably don't need it. 

And yeah, them wanting to put Char-Broil signage up and acting like you used it would be akin to putting up Zebco signs to show how you caught the meat. 

 

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That is a rock solid plan, my friend. Hold out for a Saber rather than anything Char-Broil would give you. I've got the name and # of the PR director for Saber, but since you are coming in over the top with WCB, you probably don't need it. 

And yeah, them wanting to put Char-Broil signage up and acting like you used it would be akin to putting up Zebco signs to show how you caught the meat. 

good point. 

If you're comfortable with it, I may end up hitting up the Saber guy at some point, or ask the Langfeld Marketing guys what their thoughts are about reaching out to Saber for a loaner/donor grill to use for ancillaries and whatnot. I'm unfamiliar with their product line. Any suggestions/pointers? 

Thanks, GB. Glad you're finally gonna make it down for this. I imagine you're gonna be in heaven (not unlike the Royal)   

EDIT: NEvermind, I did a google search for saber and, unsurprisingly, your sweet review on Grillinfools popped up!  
- The review comments about the burners blowing out in any wind is very concerning... especially since weather is an annual concern own on the bluffs along the river. Reports of a fix by taping the manual lighting holes. Hrm! 

 

[TheFanatic]

good point. 

If you're comfortable with it, I may end up hitting up the Saber guy at some point, or ask the Langfeld Marketing guys what their thoughts are about reaching out to Saber for a loaner/donor grill to use for ancillaries and whatnot. I'm unfamiliar with their product line. Any suggestions/pointers? 

Thanks, GB. Glad you're finally gonna make it down for this. I imagine you're gonna be in heaven (not unlike the Royal)   

EDIT: NEvermind, I did a google search for saber and, unsurprisingly, your sweet review on Grillinfools popped up!  
- The review comments about the burners blowing out in any wind is very concerning... especially since weather is an annual concern own on the bluffs along the river. Reports of a fix by taping the manual lighting holes. Hrm! 

I never had the issue with it blowing out, but I didn't have it that long and only used it a handful of times for that review. All I can say is this about it. I've built a lot of grills in the last 10 years. Almost always by myself. I blew my back out getting that ******* out of the box the steel was so heavy. As far as the burners blowing out, I'm wondering if that has been addressed. Some of those people complaining of that have units that are pretty old. 

 

[sbonomo]

good point. 

If you're comfortable with it, I may end up hitting up the Saber guy at some point, or ask the Langfeld Marketing guys what their thoughts are about reaching out to Saber for a loaner/donor grill to use for ancillaries and whatnot. I'm unfamiliar with their product line. Any suggestions/pointers? 

Thanks, GB. Glad you're finally gonna make it down for this. I imagine you're gonna be in heaven (not unlike the Royal)   

EDIT: NEvermind, I did a google search for saber and, unsurprisingly, your sweet review on Grillinfools popped up!  
- The review comments about the burners blowing out in any wind is very concerning... especially since weather is an annual concern own on the bluffs along the river. Reports of a fix by taping the manual lighting holes. Hrm! 

Oh come on, we have fine Scottish weather with the rain blowing sideways all the time!!!! 

 

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Oh come on, we have fine Scottish weather with the rain blowing sideways all the time!!!! 

 I still hate how Friday worked out for you guys ancillaries last year. God what a ####show that was. Fighting the weather was bad enough, but MIM mishandled all that so badly.... 

 

 

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Great meeting yesterday with Langenfeld Marketing, a sponsor we've picked up this year. Great folks. Represent a lot of outdoor brands. Turns out, after talking with @TheFanatic, they rep Saber grills... VERY nice gas grill manufacturer. After chatting through some details on what they want (booze, driving range balls, food, and a good time), I broached the Saber grill topic. 

Looks like they are confident they can get at least one, maybe two, nice ### 4 Burner (3 + side) Saber Stainless grills for the booth. Would be a huge help for cooking ancillaries and other stuff during the week. They'd be ours to keep as well, which does not suck.  

Fingers crossed. Shot them over some info today.... 

 

[TheFanatic]

Great meeting yesterday with Langenfeld Marketing, a sponsor we've picked up this year. Great folks. Represent a lot of outdoor brands. Turns out, after talking with @TheFanatic, they rep Saber grills... VERY nice gas grill manufacturer. After chatting through some details on what they want (booze, driving range balls, food, and a good time), I broached the Saber grill topic. 

Looks like they are confident they can get at least one, maybe two, nice ### 4 Burner (3 + side) Saber Stainless grills for the booth. Would be a huge help for cooking ancillaries and other stuff during the week. They'd be ours to keep as well, which does not suck.  

Fingers crossed. Shot them over some info today.... 

I regret giving up the saber I did the review on. I wish I had stored it away and held onto it, but a coworker made me an offer and I sold it. Blew my back out taking that heavy ******* out of the box!

 

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I regret giving up the saber I did the review on. I wish I had stored it away and held onto it, but a coworker made me an offer and I sold it. Blew my back out taking that heavy ******* out of the box!

 you've got me paranoid about the weight on this/these thing(s) if we get taken care of. Going to have to get the young guys on the team to handle that

Thanks for the guidance and it's been fun chatting with ya about all this stuff behind the scenes... glad you're finally making it down to Memphis! 
 

 

[TheFanatic]

 you've got me paranoid about the weight on this/these thing(s) if we get taken care of. Going to have to get the young guys on the team to handle that

Thanks for the guidance and it's been fun chatting with ya about all this stuff behind the scenes... glad you're finally making it down to Memphis! 
 

The directions says, "needs 2 people to assemble." Well I ignored that. So there I am bent over at the waist trying to slide the main part of the grill out of the box with all that styrofoam around it that has it stuck in that box. I'm lifting it and trying to shake the box down the styrofoam and then POP! My neighbor across the street saw it. Said I stood straight up and my hand rocketed to my back like I'd been shot in the kidney by a sniper. Luckily he had just finished mowing his lawn and helped me finish putting it together before it rained. It's not bank vault heavy, but don't bend over at the waist and try to get that thing out of the box by yourself.

My trip to MiM is not set in stone. I should know definitely this week. If I don't make it I will get a chance to grill in Busch Stadium. Not a bad consolation prize. That being said, even if my current sponsor to get me to MiM falls through, I have reached out to other possibilities. 

 

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Our 2018 Teaser/Hype Video is now live...

https://www.facebook.com/usualsaucepects/videos/1678850848803301/

Go easy on me.. taught myself iMovie and threw it together in 4-5 hours on Friday evening    Overall happy with how it shook out though. 

 

[msommer]

Our 2018 Teaser/Hype Video is now live...

https://www.facebook.com/usualsaucepects/videos/1678850848803301/

Go easy on me.. taught myself iMovie and threw it together in 4-5 hours on Friday evening    Overall happy with how it shook out though. 

You got a like for it from me

 

[Stoneys]

You got a like for it from me

Same here

 

[sbonomo]

Thrice

 

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You got a like for it from me

Same here

Thx GBs.  

Thrice

 You're IN the video.. I'd hope so  

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I doubt Vegans have such fun.

 

[msommer]

I doubt Vegans have such fun.

I tried Q'ing carrots in BBQ sauce - EG72 recipe - my vegetarian daughter took one bite and moved on to something else

 

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I doubt Vegans have such fun.

 funny you mention that

1) We actually usually stock our hotel room with a cooler flll of yogurt, fruit, high fiber snack bars for breakfast/snacking.... As well as bottles of pedialite hydration fluids for each night before bed. 

2) When my indian buddy was on the team, he'd have his parents come wednesday (friends/family night). They've vegitarian so we'd always throw some portabella mushrooms and some other veggies on the grill for them. 

But yeah... it's a LOT of meat. Thought we're usually so busy we may stop for one plate of food a day. There's a decent bit of "grazing" though as the kitchen randomly churns out comp entries or random goodies. 

Regarding hydration... we are moving constantly, and it's hot. When coupled with significant alcohol consumption, It's damn near impossible to drink enough fluids. Last year I was knocking back well over a gallon of water a day and realized on Friday morning I hadn't pissed since Wednesday night. I headed next door to my GB @Tusken Raider at the Memphis fire / paramedic tent for an IV. One bag later and I was right as rain   Those guys are Saints. Not to mention they party as hard as we do (There's a steady stream of food and booze back and forth between the booths all week) so it works out nicely. 

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I tried Q'ing carrots in BBQ sauce - EG72 recipe - my vegetarian daughter took one bite and moved on to something else

I think Icon should incorporate his other passion, the shooting sports into this.  Get Winchester to sponsor a game section at their booth.  Basically target shooting.  A Bulls-eye yields a prize of smoked meat served by a buxom honey.  Slightly off target and they get some raw cruciferous vegetables and escorted from the tent and pavilion to a chorus of jeers.

 

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I think Icon should incorporate his other passion, the shooting sports into this.  Get Winchester to sponsor a game section at their booth.  Basically target shooting.  A Bulls-eye yields a prize of smoked meat served by a buxom honey.  Slightly off target and they get some raw cruciferous vegetables and escorted from the tent and pavilion to a chorus of jeers.

PULL! 

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I tried Q'ing carrots in BBQ sauce - EG72 recipe - my vegetarian daughter took one bite and moved on to something else

Huh?  I don't recall ever eating BBQ carrots in my life, let alone posting a recipe.  Could have been blackout drunk and messing with you guys.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Our 2018 Teaser/Hype Video is now live...

https://www.facebook.com/usualsaucepects/videos/1678850848803301/

Go easy on me.. taught myself iMovie and threw it together in 4-5 hours on Friday evening    Overall happy with how it shook out though. 

Very well done (pun intended.)

 

[matuski]

Can I be one of the pigs if I come?

eta - specifically, i'd like to hit golf balls into the river dressed as a pig.  TIA.

 

[Keerock]

Our 2018 Teaser/Hype Video is now live...

https://www.facebook.com/usualsaucepects/videos/1678850848803301/

Go easy on me.. taught myself iMovie and threw it together in 4-5 hours on Friday evening    Overall happy with how it shook out though. 

Sweet!  Bet there are awesome shirts to be had at these events  

 

[msommer]

Huh?  I don't recall ever eating BBQ carrots in my life, let alone posting a recipe.  Could have been blackout drunk and messing with you guys.

I could be wrong and misrepresenting you completely, but it was something about a neighbor or some family member, boiling them first then grilling with bbq sauce.

Nevertheless, it's my story and I'm sticking to it, if you happen to want to take it up face to face in Copenhagen, then I'll buy the first round.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Our 2018 Teaser/Hype Video is now live...

https://www.facebook.com/usualsaucepects/videos/1678850848803301/

Go easy on me.. taught myself iMovie and threw it together in 4-5 hours on Friday evening    Overall happy with how it shook out though. 

Was expecting. Bigger, better, saucier.  I liked though. 

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I could be wrong and misrepresenting you completely, but it was something about a neighbor or some family member, boiling them first then grilling with bbq sauce.

Nevertheless, it's my story and I'm sticking to it, if you happen to want to take it up face to face in Copenhagen, then I'll buy the first round.

Yeah, pretty sure that was someone else, but if it gets me drinks in Copenhagen, I'll happily cop to it. 

 

[sbonomo]

Thx GBs.  

 You're IN the video.. I'd hope so  

That is actually my body double!

 

[sbonomo]

 funny you mention that

1) We actually usually stock our hotel room with a cooler flll of yogurt, fruit, high fiber snack bars for breakfast/snacking.... As well as bottles of pedialite hydration fluids for each night before bed. 

2) When my indian buddy was on the team, he'd have his parents come wednesday (friends/family night). They've vegitarian so we'd always throw some portabella mushrooms and some other veggies on the grill for them. 

But yeah... it's a LOT of meat. Thought we're usually so busy we may stop for one plate of food a day. There's a decent bit of "grazing" though as the kitchen randomly churns out comp entries or random goodies. 

Regarding hydration... we are moving constantly, and it's hot. When coupled with significant alcohol consumption, It's damn near impossible to drink enough fluids. Last year I was knocking back well over a gallon of water a day and realized on Friday morning I hadn't pissed since Wednesday night. I headed next door to my GB @Tusken Raider at the Memphis fire / paramedic tent for an IV. One bag later and I was right as rain   Those guys are Saints. Not to mention they party as hard as we do (There's a steady stream of food and booze back and forth between the booths all week) so it works out nicely. 

I made duck eggs omletes for every one last year - does that count?

 

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Can I be one of the pigs if I come?

eta - specifically, i'd like to hit golf balls into the river dressed as a pig.  TIA.

I think Keith and Tommy would be happy to loan out one of the Pig suits at some point. They're pretty sweet. 

Sweet!  Bet there are awesome shirts to be had at these events  

 one of these days you're going to get a 40lb box of shirts at your doorstep 

Was expecting. Bigger, better, saucier.  I liked though. 

That was the runner up  

That is actually my body double!

ahhhhhh this makes sense now. 

I made duck eggs omletes for every one last year - does that count?

Yes... yes it does. Those were ####in' phenomonal  

 

[Tusken Raider]

Regarding hydration... we are moving constantly, and it's hot. When coupled with significant alcohol consumption, It's damn near impossible to drink enough fluids. Last year I was knocking back well over a gallon of water a day and realized on Friday morning I hadn't pissed since Wednesday night. I headed next door to my GB @Tusken Raider at the Memphis fire / paramedic tent for an IV. One bag later and I was right as rain   Those guys are Saints. Not to mention they party as hard as we do (There's a steady stream of food and booze back and forth between the booths all week) so it works out nicely. 

Thursday was crazy last year. When we took inventory on Friday morning, we'd blown through more than 3/4 of our beer for the WEEKEND and had to shell out $$ to restock. As for our hydration station... well, y'all definitely were keeping us busy Friday morning. We're doubling our supplies there this year as well, so no worries.

Nothing like starting an IV one minute, and mixing up a spicy bloody mary to give to the same guy on his way out, arm bandaged up all nice and neat. Oh, the duality...

 

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Thursday was crazy last year. When we took inventory on Friday morning, we'd blown through more than 3/4 of our beer for the WEEKEND and had to shell out $$ to restock. As for our hydration station... well, y'all definitely were keeping us busy Friday morning. We're doubling our supplies there this year as well, so no worries.

Nothing like starting an IV one minute, and mixing up a spicy bloody mary to give to the same guy on his way out, arm bandaged up all nice and neat. Oh, the duality...

Buddy who owns 3 pediatric clinics is ordering another case or two of lactated ringers and associated gear as well. Ironically one worthless member (who was voted off for this coming year) was apparently getting 1-2 per day. Sorry about that. We can help more with beer supplies if needed!  

 

[sbonomo]

Thursday was crazy last year. When we took inventory on Friday morning, we'd blown through more than 3/4 of our beer for the WEEKEND and had to shell out $$ to restock. As for our hydration station... well, y'all definitely were keeping us busy Friday morning. We're doubling our supplies there this year as well, so no worries.

Nothing like starting an IV one minute, and mixing up a spicy bloody mary to give to the same guy on his way out, arm bandaged up all nice and neat. Oh, the duality...

I got two iv’s lasted year  - those things are life savors!!!!!!!!  

 

[TheFanatic]

I got two iv’s lasted year  - those things are life savors!!!!!!!!  

Jesus. What have I gotten myself into? Do they fit you with a drip line when you hit the city limits or at the entrance to the park?

 

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Confirmed Saber Grills is on board and providing a Saber SS 500 Premium unit for us to use for ancillary comps. It's on the way so we can begin testing it out and getting comfortable with it. Thanks to @TheFanatic for providing insight during this process.  

Things are going well with planning/prep. Poor Tipsy has been buried under festival season and mountains of catering work, so we're trying not to bug him too much with kitchen stuff just yet.  

Still vetting a couple possible sponsors, and payments are coming in from CDW/Cisco/Lenovo now. We've actually been formally added as a vendor in CDW's system now, to streamline payments... since this appears to be an ongoing relationship. 

To be continued....
 

 

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Crunch time.. 10 weeks till park opens to the public.

If you're planning on coming and you've NOT already booked your lodging... GET ON IT NOW. Rooms are almost gone and AirBNB seems to be drying up as well.

@TheFanatic has locked in his travel info and will be in the house Thurs>Sat as well.  

We're talking with Grill Beast about a small sponsorship to hopefully close up some gaps in budget. 
If you're coming down and want to do a Jr Sponsorship, holla at me. ($150 gets you 4 Day park access wristband, Shirt, Koozie, Vip Bar Access, Sponsor Booth Wristband (front of line) access) 

Meeting with the AV Company Nolan to go over the system this year, and we're looking at debuting a small Modular video wall this year. Not sure how we're going to deploy it just yet but should be fun.