January 6, 2009 Hello BBQ Gang! Welcome to the unpredictable, wild and mildly remunerative world of the Illinois BBQ Society's Weekly(ish) eNewsletter. Thanks to your double-opt-in subscription; you'll now be receiving regular to semi-regular emails from ILBBQS. Perhaps even a random delivery or two to keep you on your toes. You might want to alert your spam nanny so that valuable information and critical news release information are not unduly delayed. Now to the good stuff. Here's what's going on the world of the Illinois BBQ Society... ~ Stats & Totals are in for 2008... ~ 4conomics and Illinois BBQ Joints... ~ 2009 Contest Season Taking Shape... ~ ILBBQS Calendar Update... ~ Illinois Barbeque News, Updates, eNewsletter & Team Info... ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS Contests... ~ Upcoming MBN Contests... ~ Upcoming Classes... For additional information on these stories, and more, be sure to visit the Illinois BBQ Society online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x This eNewsletter brought to you by: Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties ~ http://www.AceOfHeartsBBQ.com Home of The Good-One line of Smokers and Grills Watch for their Illinois cooking classes featuring 8 time American Royal Champion Chris Marks of Three Little Pigs BBQ! x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x Stats & Totals are in for 2008... We are all pretty much aware that the 'sport' of barbeque has really taken off in the state of Illinois. Up from a mere 4 sanctioned contests just 3 years ago to a whopping 14 in 2008 (not to mention the scores of non-sanctioned events), new contests all across the state is allowing more teams to compete in more places...more frequently...with more enthusiasm. In checking the stats for this website alone, it's very evident that competition barbeque and barbecue related events are only going to continue to rise. Here are a few stats and comparisons, gathered by Google.com, regarding ILBBQS.com traffic over the course of 2007 & 2008: 1. Unique visits to the site jumped a whopping +123.29% over 2007's traffic. (16,530 in 2008; Previous: 7,403) 2. Those unique visits resulted in 35,372 Pageviews, compared to the 2007 views of 16,336 (+116.53%). 3. Of the unique visits to the site, 57.86% were New Visits; Compared to the previous year at 55.06% (+5.08%) Additionally, here are a few Google.com figures that you may find interesting: While the 'home' page of the site is up +145.36% over 2007, the 'Contest/Events' page is up +136.96%, and the 'BBQ Joints' page traffic is up +318.07%. Other notable increases are shown on the 'Classes' page with a +138.47% increase. While not every page of the site experienced increased numbers, the pages that are reported as being down in traffic are those that, for the majority, have been archived. In a word, WOW! What an amazing ride we're on; what an amazing time we're having! Thanks to you, we're going to continue to grow and thrive as one of the most popular barbeque destinations (in regards of contests, events, and festivals) in the U.S. Keep up the enthusiasm! *************************************** 4conomics and Illinois BBQ Joints... Because "Eating well shouldn't cost a wad!", 4conomics is what the economy of eating well without breaking the bank. This is what I am calling the push to get people to visit the BBQ Joints/Caterers that are listed on the ILBBQS.com site. If you haven't checked the list lately, surf by for a visit! Click the 'Illinois BBQ Joints' button at the top of the page, or the "4conomics" button on the home page. *************************************** 2009 Contest Season Taking Shape... Though we're barely into this new year, the Contest/Event's page of the http://www.ILBBQS.com website is filling up with both returning favorites AND hot new contests. Be sure to check the bottom of this email for sanctioned and non-sanctioned contests, but for the most up-to-the-minute listing, surf over to the Contest/Events page at http://www.ILBBQS.com . If you know of a contest and/or barbeque event taking place (that is not currently listed) PLEASE send the info to us for free listing! *************************************** ILBBQS Calendar Update... Though the current 'calendar' is up to date, we are currently in the process of updating to a true calendar that can be subscribed to for automatic updates sent to your email. Stay tuned! *************************************** Illinois Barbeque News, Updates, eNewsletter & Team Info... Membership in the Illinois BBQ Society is at an all time high...that's the good news. The OTHER news (we don't like the words 'bad news') is that with barbeque interest on the rise, it has been very difficult for just one person to stay on top of everything going on in the 'que world. WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you know of anything barbeque related going on in the state, know of anything newsworthy regarding any of our members, or have a little story, recipe, or idea you would like to share with your fellow cooks, judges, and enthusiasts, please email them to us. We are starved for info to place on this page and in our eNewsletter. Thanks for your continued help in pushing the barbeque movement forward! Onward & Upward! *************************************** Upcoming 2009 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ February 15th - 2009 Winter Burn-Off - Contact: Keith Engstrom, 915 Second Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016 - Phone: (847) 312-4053 - E-mail: rekengstr@ameritech.net ~ June 12 & 13 - 5th Annual Smokin' in the Park - Contact: Hap & Becky Zook at 309-397-1815 - E-mail: bjzook@verizon.net ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2009 KCBS Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ May 1 & 2 - Southwestern Illinois Spring Festival - Contact: Shane Swartzlander - Phone: (618) 533-5703 - E-mail: 2chubby@sbcglobal.net ~ May 15 & 16 - The Randolph County Pig Party - Contact: Jason Vallett, 402 E. Broadway, Steeleville, IL 62288 - Phone: 618-965-3414 ~ Fax: 618-965-3177 - Email: jason@gregvallettautosales.com ~ May 22 & 23 - The Bonifest Rib Cook-Off - Contact: Ryan Hentz, 110 N. Buchanan, Edwardsville, IL 62025 - Phone: 618-656-6450. Fax: 618-656-7669 - Email: bonifestbbq@yahoo.com ~ May 23 & 24 - Red, White & Bar-B-Q - Contact: Jim Addington, 337 E. Traube Street, Westmont, IL 60559 - Phone: 630-443-2013 Fax: 630.443-2017 - E-mail: jaddington@ambankqc.com ~ May 29 & 30 - Anything Goes Fair, Barbecue and Blues - Contact: Paul Mizeur, 108 W Market / PO Box 350, Taylorville, IL 62568 - Phone: 217-287-1876 Fax: 217-287-1876 - Email: paul.mizeur@usbank.com ~ June 5 & 6 - Flat Branch Bar-B-Q in the Park - Contact: Al Long, 2602 East 1800 North Road, Moweaqua, IL 62550 - Phone: 217-768-4663 - E-mail: BABBQ@shelbywb.coop ~ June 12 & 13 - 5th Annual Smokin' in the Park - Contact: Hap & Becky Zook at 309-397-1815 - E-mail: bjzook@verizon.net ~ June 19 & 20 - Elk Grove Rotary Ribfest - Contact: Ron Nunes, 701 E. Irving Park Rd, Ste. 200, Roselle, IL 60172 - Phone: 630-307-8744 ~ Fax: 630-307-8755 - E-mail: rnunes9457@aol.com ~ July 10 & 11 - Illinois State Championship & Butt to Butt Pork Invitational - Contact: Connie Smith, 301 E. Sunrise Drive, Shannon, IL 61078 - Phone: 816-864-2542 ~ Fax: 815-864-2825 - E-mail: rrribs@frontiernet.net ~ September 24 to 26 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: catering17@egyptian.com ~ October 9 & 10 - Super City Blues & Ques - Contact: Priscilla Abell, 106 W. 5th Street, Metropolis, IL 62960 - Phone: 618-524-1696 Fax: 618-524-2582 - Email: metropolisparks@verizon.net ~ October 16 & 17 - Barn Burner BarBQ at Lamb's Farm - Contact: Claudia Stevens, 14245 W. Rockland Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Phone: 847-990-3750 ~ Fax: 847-362-0742 - E-mail: crs@lambsfarm.org ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2009 Memphis BBQ Network Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ September 11 & 12 - Wabash Ribberfest State Barbecue Championship, Contact: Chuck Johnson, 5 Lambert Place, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863, Phone: 618-262-6822, Email: cjohnson@shawneelink.net ~ September 24 to 26 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: catering17@egyptian.com ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming Certified BBQ Judge's and Certified Table Captain's Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Shannon, Illinois ~ 2/21/09 ~ Instructors: Mike & Theresa Lake ~ Contact Information: Theresa Lake ~ Phone: 815-864-2679 ~ Email: rrribs@frontiernet.net *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ None Scheduled (That we know of...if you know of an upcoming class, let us know!) *************************************** These stories, and more, can be found online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . Most of the stories online have active links for ease of finding more information...be sure to visit the website for your full ILBBQS experience! If you have a BBQ related news item you would like to share with the group, be sure to send it in! There is an easy-to-use 'Submit News' button on our website at http://www.ILBBQS.com ...use it often! As always, if you have any pictures, stories, news items, comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, let me know! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino