CALLING ALL MANUFACTURERS………….
I’ve been in recent contact with Chip Hearn at Peppers. I told him I’ve been receiving a number of emails from bloggers and other hot sauce enthusiasts regarding having a Hot Sauce Extravaganza at their store Peppers, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He was definitely up for doing it and has already gotten permission to put up tents and all sorts of crazy stuff to make it quite a memorable experience. The Peppers store itself is something to behold. If you’ve never been there, this would be a perfect opportunity for a very cool road trip.
I’m looking to see how many people would be interested in something like this. I think it would be a ton of fun, and a great chance for people to meet up with a number of manufacturers, hang out for an afternoon, and just plain have a good time. There would be plenty of sampling going on, and heck, I might even bring down my turkey fryers and throw a Deathmatch together.
This would also be a great opportunity for newer companies to get their name out, as I think the turnout would be pretty good. As many of you know, who have been to hot sauce shows big and small, it’s all about having fun, meeting people, and just having an all-around good time.
We are tentatively looking at some time in May, when the weather is usually pretty good. If you are at all interested in something like this, please email me at john@defconsauces.com. Chip will also be inviting some local vendors from his area as well.
12/23/2009 at 5:47 pm
I am not a manufacturer, but have already been making plans to go to the Big 3 this next year and would be more than happy to make that the big 4 – I have read about Peppers and would love an excuse to head that way anyway – sure hope this one gets put together, if so I will be there spectatin’ away
12/23/2009 at 6:23 pm
Cant wait to see the death match that John will put together…sounds like I nice time…
JBJ
12/23/2009 at 6:49 pm
It should be a lot of fun. One reason I’m trying to put this together this early is to have time for everyone to make plans if possible. I’ve already been contacted by a couple manufacturers and a good number of bloggers that are interested.
12/23/2009 at 7:09 pm
Race City Sauce Works will be there!!
12/23/2009 at 11:14 pm
I approached Chip about this idea last year at the Fiery Food Show. I suggested that having Peppers host it Memorial Weekend would be successful because of the tourism it will get from the opening weekend of the beach season. Not only that, the sauce makers and attendees do not have to rush home because the majority of people have off the following Monday for the holiday. How many shows/festivals have a holiday around it? Having their store by the beach is just a way to increase their visibility and get manufacturers to attend with a promise to put their product in the store.
Chip told me Peppers would not want to take the steps to run a show. He said there was just too much to do and promote to make the show work. So, what has changed since March? I am in regardless, and would be glad to help promote it because it is within driving distance to me. Not to mention Brian M. of http://www.hotsaucedaily.com who lives a short distance away, and would probably promote the show via his webcast and with his bbq contacts.
Since Chip is good friends with Rib Rangers, I would love to see a rib contest incorporated around the show. Nothing brings in people more than award winning bbq.
12/24/2009 at 9:10 am
Well, we had a pretty good set of replies last night. I’m going to be setting up an email list for those interested, to keep them in the loop regarding specifics of what is going on. We have plenty of time until May to plan this, so if anyone has ideas, they are gladly welcomed. I’m going to talk to Chip about making this a possible 2-day event (Saturday-Sunday), mainly for those that are coming a longer distance. I think it would be pretty cool to have a dinner/party Saturday night somewhere nearby Peppers as well. I’ve found that most, if not all, in this industry, whether they are manufacturers, retailers, or customers, really know how to have fun (beer is usually involved as well, GASP!).
This event has a really big chance of becoming something special, and I’d like to get as many of you out there involved as possible. So shoot me an email and get on the list!
This really isn’t a trade show per se. As far as I can tell, it’s going to be more of a big parking lot party. Kind of a let your hair down and just have fun kind of gig.
As for Memorial Day weekend, you have to remember, the entire surrounding area will be ultra-packed, and the traffic will extend to the horizon in all directions. Not to mention the hotel rates rocket skyward as it’s the kickoff for the summer season at the beach, and I think finding a room within 20-30 miles will be difficult at best. I think people would have a hard time just getting to Peppers honestly. I’ll ask Chip, but I think it would be a rough weekend, just for road navigation problems.
12/24/2009 at 9:50 am
Just my two cents (and maybe even just one cent, as I don’t know if I could make this event;-)) – have it a weekend or two before Memorial Day Weekend, like May 15-16 or 22-23. The weather ought to be nice enough for a little hot sauce spring fling kind of thing.
12/24/2009 at 10:14 am
We stay down that way every year.I would be a mad house if they did it on Memorial Day weekend.
The roads in and out of there are just crazy.Sounds like this is going to be a good one…
JBJ
12/24/2009 at 10:17 am
I was thinking the 15-16th actually. I was also thinking of getting sponsors together to make up t-shirts or hats.
12/24/2009 at 10:23 am
Im in John..We will talk more……
JBJ
12/24/2009 at 10:33 pm
Well, after talking to CaJohn, the Memorial Weekend will be a host of future show date for him. He is working the details out, so I would be happy to do both. Mother’s Day is on the 9th, and my Dad’s b-day is the 18th, so there is a chance I will be in NY either one of those weekends. I will go up for Mother’s Day and just give my Dad his gifts that weekend too if need be. The sacrifices I will do for hot sauce gatherings.
Can we make the hangout at a Crab place? The beach area there has great crab.
12/25/2009 at 9:58 pm
I can’t be 100% sure if I can make it, if work allows it, if I’m working by then, I’m going to do all I can to be there.
12/27/2009 at 4:08 pm
Gunther’s Gourmet – would be interested in joining – Let us know what you all decide to do.
12/27/2009 at 4:33 pm
Would be great to have you …Just send John an email and he will take care of the rest…..
JBJ
12/28/2009 at 7:31 am
The list is going pretty good. We’re up to about 6 manufacturers already, and I haven’t even sent out the big email to everyone yet.
12/28/2009 at 7:52 am
Ahhhhhh sounds like the first reall east coast throw down..I love it…..
12/28/2009 at 10:48 am
Ok, time for an update. I spoke with Chip at Peppers this morning, the date for this event is going to be May 15-16 (Saturday & Sunday). Now that the date has been confirmed, it’s time to rock n roll. Chip is getting a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for discounted rates for those in attendance, and Saturday night will be a HUGE party at a nearby establishment. This is gonna be a lot of fun!
So, that being said, if you haven’t already, shoot me an email so I can put you on the list for updates. We already have roughly 6 manufacturers already, and a TON of bloggers from all over the eastern part of the country signed up. I will be blasting out an email to the masses, hopefully this week, outlining the event.
12/28/2009 at 10:54 am
John, when you have more spefics like booth costs, contact info, let me know so I can work on some companies for ya. Also could you ask Chip that if people attend will Peppers stock their product? It is a good selling point I would use. Thanks.
12/28/2009 at 10:59 am
Specifics too
12/28/2009 at 11:12 am
In talking to Chip, I’m not even sure there will be booth costs. This is more of a ‘have fun, meet people’ event than a formal trade show. We’ll all be setting up in the large parking lot in front, doing tastings, answering questions, and the like. It would be cool to get minimal donations from companies involved, and make a cool t-shirt or something like that. I like the idea of an East Coast Throwdown, it has a nice ring to it (being from NJ, of course).
Since it seems I’m somewhat of the cruise director with this venture, just contact me (john@defconsauces.com) for many of the questions, or contact Chip at Peppers, 800-998-3473 with questions.
There will be more information available as time goes by, such as the hotel with the block of rooms, where the Saturday night party will be, etc.
12/29/2009 at 10:27 am
Hey money or a donation..what ever works, but i do think we should have a bloggers table…tee shirts and all..
JBJ
12/29/2009 at 11:46 am
Absolutely!
12/31/2009 at 11:09 am
sounds like a plan. I sure hope I can make it. I’ll be ready for a mini vacation by then.
01/01/2010 at 11:49 am
I’m going to keep the weekend open. The family and I are planning a big vacation in June, so that will take a large chunk of my vacation time and my money. There are just too many good events and so little time.
01/02/2010 at 10:24 am
Twisted Twins Salsa would be interseted in attending also…. Please let me know all the details on it… Thanks!!
01/02/2010 at 1:28 pm
Hi Scott, great, look forward to cracking a few beers with you again.
Twisted twins, shoot me an email, john@defconsauces.com.
01/02/2010 at 3:13 pm
There’s gonna be beer drinking there?