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.

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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.

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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.

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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:  BBQ 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 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 U.S., and ranks among the top 20% of all Amazon sellers worldwide.

10:00 AM:
Social Media Mastery
Master the art of digital marketing to elevate your brand!

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 - 3:00 PM:
Meet the Masters Roundtable: The Future of BBQ with Meathead, Carey Bringle

BBQ guru Meathead from AmazingRibs.com will share changing trends across the BBQ 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.

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.

6:00 PM:
Awards of Excellence (AOE) Dinner and Awards Ceremony at The Shed BBQ Sponsored by Prairie Fresh
Celebrate excellence in BBQ with great food, awards, and a night to remember!

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Friday, January 17, 2025: Day of Tasty Competitions - The Rhinestone Cowboy Cookoff & Vibrant Festivities.  Register Here!

9:00 AM:
Rhinestone Cowboy Cooks Meeting & Steak Collection at The Saucery
Get ready for the heart-pounding start of competition day!

12:00 PM:
Margarita Turn-In
Craft the perfect margarita in this fun, spirited challenge!

1:00 PM:
Taco Turn-In
Show off your taco-making skills and compete for bragging rights!

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM:
Rhinestone Cowboy Steak Turn-In
Bring your A-game for this sizzling showdown!

4:00 PM:
Rhinestone Cowboy Awards at The Shed Stage
Celebrate BBQ stars in this dazzling awards ceremony!

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM:
The NBBQA-Shed Showdown Family Reunion & Kick-Off Party
Reconnect and forge new bonds with an unforgettable evening of food, fun, and entertainment!

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Saturday, January 18, 2025: The Shed Showdown – The Epic Finale!  Register Here!

The grand finale is here! Witness the ultimate BBQ competition, featuring fierce rivalries, exceptional flavors, and incredible networking opportunities. With five categories plus the Kids Que and a $21,500 cash purse, you won’t want to miss the sizzling competitions!

6:30 AM - 8:00 AM at The Saucery
Registration, Breakfast & Bloody Marys (Judges & Competitors)

8:00 AM at The Saucery
Cooks Meeting & Meat Selection

8:30 AM at The Saucery
Kids Cook Meeting & Meat Selection

10:30 AM at The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint
Judges Registration

12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
SCA Kids Turn-In: Prairie Fresh Pork Chop

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Melinda's Hot Sauce Bloody Mary Turn-In

1:00 PM - 1:30 Plainville Farms Turkey Turn-In: Boneless Breast, Skin On

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
CAB Steak Turn-In: Steak A (Ribeye)

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
CAB Turn-In: Steak B (Ribeye)

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Prairie Fresh Ribs Turn-In: St. Louis Cut

6:30 PM
Awards at The Shed BBQ Main Stage

7:30 PM - Until
The Ultimate Shed Showdown" with a legendary list of Celebrity Judges!"

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🔥 This is the BBQ event you’ve been waiting for! Let’s create unforgettable memories, ignite the fire of competition, and make history together! ✨

Please note that the schedule may be subject to change.