2025 Regional MEATUP "Mini-Conference"

Get Ready for the Ultimate BBQ Event of the Year – January 15-18, 2025

Join us at Mississippi’s Gulf Coast for an electrifying, flavor-packed adventure! This annual destination event is designed for BBQ and grilling enthusiasts, offering excitement, mouthwatering flavors, and amazing networking opportunities.

Tuesday/Wednesday, January 14-15, 2025: The Rhinestone Cowboy/The Shed Showdown Load-In, 7501 MS-57, Ocean Springs, MS 39565.

The countdown to excitement begins! The stage is set for a legendary BBQ showdown where the best BBQ masters unite for an epic event.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025: The Ultimate Day of Thrills & Connections

Morning:
Choose Your Adventure! Explore Mississippi’s Gulf Coast with options to tailor your experience. Visit Coastal Mississippi for the ultimate guide!

4:00 PM - 9:00 PM:
Happy Hour Meet & Greet at The Shed Saloon, 7501 MS-57, Ocean Springs, MS 39565.

Mingle, sip, and connect in an electric atmosphere to kick off an unforgettable week.

Thursday, January 16, 2025: A Day of Wisdom, Fire & Flavor  

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM:
Check-in at The Saucery
Start the day with a warm welcome, then dive into a journey of culinary excellence and professional growth.

8:45 AM - 9AM:  Cooks Church with Faith & Fire Ministry.  

Mark Lambert and Ashley Henson of Faith & Fire Ministry will lead Cooks Church Thursday at the National Barbecue & Grilling Association Conference. Join us for worship, fellowship, and inspiration. All are welcome!

9:00 AM:  "Mastering the Basics of Profitability: P&L, Margins, Sales Strategies, and Online Myths" with Kirk Malzer, CEO of Bar B Que Specialties, Inc.

Kirk Malzer earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1991. Over the years, he gained extensive experience in both corporate and private sectors, managing earnings and budgets exceeding $500 million annually. Having lived in San Antonio, Memphis, and Kansas City, Kirk developed a deep passion for BBQ.

In 2012, he and his wife, Erin, took a bold step and purchased Bar-B-Que Specialties Inc., a small seasoning and sauce company in Nebraska. Over the past 12 years, Kirk and Erin have combined his business expertise with their shared love for BBQ to transform the company into a national powerhouse. Today, their brand, Fat Boy BBQ, serves major retail chains and thousands of stores across the US., and ranks among the top 20% of all Amazon sellers worldwide.

10:00 AM:
Meet the Masters
A session with some of the top pitmasters and grilling experts in the industry. Learn practical tips on barbecue techniques, fire management, and flavor building. Whether you’re experienced or new to grilling, this session will provide valuable insights to elevate your skills. Don’t miss the chance to ask questions and gain expert advice to take your barbecue to the next level.

11:00 AM:
How to Expand Upon Your Business with Carey Bringle - Pitmaster, Business Owner, and Entrepreneur

Carey Bringle, founder and pitmaster of Peg Leg Porker, is a true icon in the world of barbecue. A Nashville native, Carey’s love for Southern cooking began early, inspired by family traditions and a deep-rooted passion for food. Overcoming the loss of his leg to cancer at 17, Carey turned his resilience into a mission to create something extraordinary.

In 2013, Carey launched Peg Leg Porker, a Nashville-based BBQ restaurant that has since become a must-visit destination. His brand has expanded to include award-winning sauces, rubs, merchandise, and his signature Tennessee Straight Bourbon, earning acclaim from Southern Living, Food Network, and Bon Appétit.

Known for his authenticity and entrepreneurial spirit, Carey has built Peg Leg Porker into a powerhouse without compromising quality or tradition. A sought-after speaker, Carey brings invaluable insights and inspiration to business owners and BBQ enthusiasts alike, embodying the grit and passion of true Southern barbecue.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM:
Lunch Break - Savor food truck delights and continue networking with industry leaders.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM:
The Future Of Barbecue And Grilling with Meathead,, Harry Soo, Claire Lower, and Carey Bringle

BBQ guru Meathead from AmazingRibs.com will share changing trends across the BBQ  and Grilling landscape just before you engage with BBQ legends in a hands-on session where those trends are discussed on a more detailed level for your aspect.

Meathead, a BBQ Hall of Fame inductee, is one of the leading voices in barbecue and grilling, renowned for founding AmazingRibs.com, a top resource for outdoor cooking. Author of the New York Times bestseller Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling—hailed by Southern Living and Serious Eats as essential reading—he blends science with tradition to elevate cooking skills for all. Through his newsletter, social media platforms, and engaging content, Meathead inspires and connects with the global BBQ community, sharing his passion for the art and science of grilling.

Harry Soo is a renowned pitmaster, founder of SlapYoDaddyBBQ.com and BeyondTheSmoke.net, and co-founder of Primal Grills USA, a stainless steel grill manufacturer. A celebrated BBQ competitor with over 30 Grand Championships and 100+ First Place Awards, Harry won Season One of BBQ Pitmasters and has been featured in numerous TV shows and magazines. He shares his expertise through BBQ schools, catering, leadership training, and 800+ videos with 300K+ followers. A Master Judge for the World Food Championships and KCBS Certified Judge, Harry is a California BBQ Association Hall of Famer and a multi-year Team of the Year in California and Arizona.

Claire Lower is a food writer, recipe developer, and digital editor for Milk Street Magazine. Known for her fun and approachable recipes, she blends her Mississippi roots and chemistry background to make cooking both accessible and enjoyable. Claire’s work strikes a balance between highbrow and lowbrow elements, celebrating both processed foods and gourmet flavors. Her diverse upbringing—from Southern comfort food to Los Angeles health trends—has shaped her unique culinary perspective. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Claire continues to craft recipes that bring joy to home cooks.

4:00 PM:  Live Fire Cooking Demo & Dinner Prep at The Shed BBQ
Prepare for an explosive demo with sizzling dishes and mouthwatering meal for the NBBQA AOE Awards Dinner with Aces Wild, Boars Night Out, Harry Soo, and other NBBQA Members.