With this application, I/we apply for a sanctioned contest by the Memphis Barbecue Network. Contest Organizer, Judges Chairperson, its officers, and directors agree to the following conditions in order to obtain sanctioning from the MBN.

1. A completed “Request for Sanctioning” form should be received by Memphis Barbecue Network at least six (6) months (for new contests), four (4) months (for existing contests) prior to requested contest date. All current contests’ dates are protected for 60 days following the completion of the contest. After 60 days the date is open for other applicants. Consideration may be given to “Requests for Sanctioning” which are outside the above guidelines, but only on a case-by-case basis and with the full understanding by the contest of the possible negative consequences resulting from a shortened planning timeframe.
2. Contests are considered “new” if the Memphis Barbecue Network has never sanctioned them, OR if they are requesting sanctioning after an interruption of a year or more. All reports must be received, and Rep expenses must be paid before re-sanctioning will be considered.
3. New contests or existing contests requesting new dates must be at least 150 miles (based on Google Maps) from existing contests on the same weekend. Under special circumstances, the Executive Board of Directors may waive this requirement.

4. For all new contests and contests relocating to a new venue, MBN may require a site survey by an MBN Board Member or designee and/or photographs of the contest venue prior to sanctioning approval.
5. Contest organizers must provide Standard Division teams with access to electricity and water. Any limitations must be disclosed to MBN during the sanctioning process.

1. The minimum sanctioning fee is $400.
2. I/we have included the sanctioning fee of $400, plus an additional $200 for each additional sanctioned event, with the sanction request form. This fee covers administrative costs associated with processing and obtaining approval. Ancillary scoring assistance ($25 per contest) must be paid to the MBN rep at the contest.
3. In addition to the sanctioning fee, ALL contests MUST include a line item on the team application that reads “MBN Administrative Fee” of $15. This amount will be collected by the contest from teams that enter and is payable to MBN within 10 (ten) days following the contest day.
4. Should the contest officials decide, for any reason, to voluntarily cancel the contest, they will be responsible for contacting all teams entered and judges accepted for judging, as soon as possible, to let them know of the cancellation. The official must certify in writing to the MBN at info@mbnbbq.com that they have notified the teams and refunded entry fees and notified judges of the decision to cancel the contest. The sanctioning fee will be refunded minus a $75.00 administrative fee. However, should the contest request that sanctioning be cancelled for the year in which it was approved, and sanctioning be approved for the following year, the fee will be applied toward sanctioning for the following year only. After the one-year grace period, the contest will be required to pay another sanctioning fee. If a contest must cancel due to circumstances beyond their control, a refund will be at the discretion of the Memphis Barbecue Network.
5. I/we agree to follow and abide by MBN Rules & Regulations and Judging Procedures; including guaranteeing and paying prize monies as published/advertised. A standard contest must award a minimum of 4 (four) places plus a Grand Champion. These amounts cannot be reduced after sanctioning is granted and advertised. Prize money must be distributed by the conclusion of the contest. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the MBN Board. Contests requesting an exception may be requested to provide proof of available funds sufficient to cover both prize money and operational expenses. Team scores will be distributed by contest representative at the conclusion of all awards. Any scores not collected by teams at that time will be distributed by the contest within 10 days. Contests must “open” contest without restriction to entrants who follow all printed and published rules. The only exception is if the contest has a limited amount of space and they must close the contest when they are full. This must be indicated in the team application.
6. I/we agree to provide trained and/or certified MBN judges as required based on the number of category entries (specified in the Organizer Manual). The Contest Organizer and Judging Contact agree to involve the MBN reps in the selection of the Finals judges prior to contacting them.
7. Each contest is required to offer online judge registration. The MBN’s preferred registration method is through our membership management system, Wild Apricot. When the MBN judge management system is utilized, the MBN rep will work with the Contest Judge Contact to manage judge recruitment and applications. The MBN rep will provide updated judge lists as needed by the Contest Judge Contact. Should the contest elect to use their online tool for judge registration, the Contest Judge Contact will provide updates on the number of accepted judges beginning 45 days before the event to ensure proper judge recruitment. At the close of the event, a final list of judges will be provided to the MBN. Contests electing to use their own registration tool is subject to MBN board approval. This request must be made at the time of submitting the sanctioning request document.
8. I/we agree to follow the requirements in the Organizer Manual as to the Team Application (required verbiage) and providing a list of contestants with names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses to the contest representatives. Additionally, the contest officials agree to allow MBN Contest Reps to take photos at the event and these become the property of the Memphis Barbecue Network and may be used for promotional purposes.
9. All contests, both new and existing, must name a separate Judge Contact and this person’s name and contact information must be on the “Request for Sanctioning” form. The Contest Organizer and the Judge Contact will be the Rep’s main contacts for the contest. The judges’ and team databases will be sent to these persons.
10. The MBN must approve the all Contest Applications prior to publication. Approval is required yearly even if only the dates are changed. Approval must come from the Sanctioning Chair.
11. Two contest reps will be provided for all contests with 40 or less total teams. For contests with more than 40 total teams, 4 (four) reps will be required based upon the Board’s review of the sanctioning request. For contest sanctioning 2 (two) events (MBN and special event), a total number of teams will be used to determine the number of reps.
12. The contest must pay for or provide each MBN Representative (Rep) with travel expenses [air fare + ground transportation/car rental and/or round-trip mileage @ the current government mandated rate] plus a minimum of $75 per rep, per contest for expenses (Friday to Sunday trip). Any additional days will be charged @ $25 per day per rep. Additionally, the contest must provide suitable lodging for two MBN Representatives (two rooms) traveling to the contest in an official capacity. Larger contests and/ or contests sanctioning two events (standard and special) will require additional MBN reps and additional rooms may be required. The contest must make the hotel reservations and arrange to prepay or be billed directly for the rooms.
13. I/we agree to pay the balance due of all MBN fees (Admin fees and Rep expenses) within 10 (ten) days following the contest day. Failure to pay these fees will result in the contest not being sanctioned the next year
14. Thirty (30) days prior to the contest date, I/we agree to provide a Certificate of Insurance for a minimum of $1,000,000.00 with MBN named on the certificate of insurance. COI must be sent to the Sanctioning Contact, Elise Jenkins, at info@mbnbbq.com. Failure to provide a COI may result in the Contest losing their sanctioning.
15. I/we agree to provide needed materials and supplies (specified in the Organizer Manual) requested by MBN to run the contest. In addition, I/we agree to provide all support personnel required by the MBN Contest Rep including meat inspectors and volunteers to work in the Judging Area.
16. I/we agree to use the official MBN logo on all contest materials, including but not limited to, the web site, applications, promotional items, advertisements banners, signage, t-shirts and all other contest materials after sanctioning has been approved.
17. I/we agree to complete/gather and return to the MBN Sanctioning Contact the Post Contest Information Form within 30 days of the contest completion. Failure to send this document will result in a delay of the sanctioning of your contest for next year
18. It is understood that this agreement does not create a partnership. The Contest Organizer may not bind or contract on behalf of MBN. MBN agrees to provide the Organizer with a proprietary set of contest rules, team/judge databases, materials, and the officials to conduct the judging portion of the contest. Proprietary information is for the use of the contest only and cannot be shared with others without written approval from MBN. The Organizer is responsible for all other issues concerning their event.
19. MBN does not make any representation to Organizer, nor guarantee the profitability of any contest, by agreeing to provide sanctioning. Sanctioning does not guarantee the number of participants who will participate, and no such representation has been made to the Organizer
20. The minimum sanction fee of $400 must accompany this application before sanctioning request is presented to the Executive Board of Directors. If the application is not approved, the fee will be refunded. Otherwise, the sanctioning fee will be refunded less a $75 administrative fee. Sanction requests are reviewed at monthly by the Executive Board of Directors and approval is at the discretion of the Executive Board of Directors based on date availability, lead-time, strength of application and supporting materials, availability of Contest Representatives and other factors
21. Sanctioning requests must be made online at www.mbnbbq.com and online payment is preferred. If mailing the sanctioning fees, they should be sent to Elise Jenkins, MBN Sanctioning Coordinator, P. O. Box 191, Ruleville, MS 38771.
22. Upon approval of sanctioning, the Organizer will receive a copy of the Organizer’s Manual which outlines the responsibilities of the Memphis Barbecue Network and of the Contest as well as tips and suggestions for producing a successful event and the approved sanctioning agreement form.
23. It is further understood that any violation of the above conditions contained in this agreement will, at the sole option of MBN, cause this agreement to be null and void. In that event, MBN will withdraw sanctioning and will not provide services to the Organizer. The Organizer will forfeit all monies and fees previously paid to MBN.
24. In consideration of the above covenants, the undersigned, officially representing the organization herein named, its officers and directors, agrees to hold Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN), its Executive Board of Directors, officers, volunteers and their assigns harmless from any and all claims, suits or proceedings of any nature which may be brought against them on account of any action, non- action on the part of the Organizer, its officers, employees or volunteers including any injuries to the person or property received during or related to the above described event. The undersigned agrees to abide by all requirements and responsibilities for MBN sanctioned events as stated in the sanctioning requirements. The undersigned agrees to execute the contest in accordance with MBN Rules & Regulations and pay all fees (sanction and advertising) as set forth.
25. Settlement of any disputes will be governed under the laws of the State of Arkansas.  The undersigned agrees to participate in mediation in good faith as ordered by the Court and pursuant to the laws of the State of Arkansas. The parties acknowledge that mediation provides an opportunity to resolve this matter without the need for further litigation and agree to cooperate in scheduling and attending the mediation. Participation in mediation shall not be construed as an admission of liability or waiver of any rights, claims, or defenses available under the applicable contract or law. All rights are expressly reserved should the matter not be resolved through mediation.
26. If you have any questions concerning these rules and regulations for sanctioning, please contact Elise Jenkins, Sanctioning Coordinator, info@mbnbbq.com.

                                                                             Adopted by the Memphis BBQ Network, Executive Board on June 22, 2026