How are eggfests started

booksw

We don't have an Eggfest in Charleston SC. How do they get started?

Chris_Wang

First thing to do is find a local dealer who has a great relationship with their distributer and who would be willing to help you put on the Eggfest. Then email @Mickey‌.

travisstrick

LIKE THIS. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG7nKqglESU

henapple

I think if you had a few dedicated folks you'd just start small. It would take a commitment from the founders to get it going and see it through.

booksw

We currently have 3 dealers in our area and today I went to a class at one of them (the one who seems to have the most product and the only one that has classes/demonstrations) and I asked him about this.  He thought it was up to corporate to choose a place.  I have been to an eggfest in Florida and it seemed very home-grown, as compared to Eggtoberfest, which was more "corporate".  @Chris Wang, what do you mean by "great relationship with their distributor" and @henapple, what do you mean by "founders"?  @travisstrick, that was so great- let's do this shot...

Thatgrimguy

The answer is dedication. You start with a group of people locally having a grill off and try to get something donated/purchased to give the winner. Let it grow from there.  Eventually it will either take off into something regional and then national if you can provide enough draw from people to make the trip.

henapple

I'm not sure it has to be corporate. I'd Pm @Mickey. I'm sure some are more connected to dealers and reps than others. I like the way Salado is run. No cost, no competition, no vendors. I see fests that charge $ to cook. Part of cooking at an eggfest is talking to potential eggers, answering questions and as we all do. .. sharing our passion. I don't understand how you can charge someone to sell your product. Mickey doesn't charge the tasters either. It's like a big party with friends and eggs. No pressure, tight schedule or cost. I'd like to start one here in Mid TN.

s_austin_egger

I don't know the answer to your question but if you can make it happen I would come from Texas. Love Charleston.

henapple

@booksw‌ ....by founders I just mean some folks willing to get it kick started

Skiddymarker

henapple said:

I'm not sure it has to be corporate. I'd Pm @Mickey. I'm sure some are more connected to dealers and reps than others. I like the way Salado is run. No cost, no competition, no vendors. I see fests that charge $ to cook. Part of cooking at an eggfest is talking to potential eggers, answering questions and as we all do. .. sharing our passion. I don't understand how you can charge someone to sell your product. Mickey doesn't charge the tasters either. It's like a big party with friends and eggs. No pressure, tight schedule or cost. I'd like to start one here in Mid TN.

Depends on where it is and what the market will bear IMHO. The PNW Eggfest appears to be run by the distributor, not dealers, they charge for everything, attending, cooking etc...

I go, but only because it is a nice weekend away. 

Chris_Wang

By great relationship with the distributer I mean that they would be willing to donate 40 eggs or so to be cooked on and then sold as demo eggs after the fest (at a discounted rate).

If you don't want to do that route, you could always start out with 20-30 eggheads who bring their own gear and cook for family and friends. Ultra organic way to start an Eggfest.

Mickey

Start with the fact you have to have a dealer ready to plunk down $20k plus on your idea (they are supplying at least 20 Large, lump, trinkets and trash). Who is picking up cost of venue (no don't have it on dealers parking lot). Yes the Dealers Distributor has to buy into the idea as well. Next you call in all your friends and then make some more and work all of them to death. Ps: you are not paid a dime

Chris_Wang

@Mickey‌ I never found Keith from Ace to thank him for all he did at Salado... Definitely didn't know he came $20K out of pocket. Giving away 4 Minis loaded with other goodies seemed generous enough!

henapple

@Mickey. ..do you need all that for the first one?

Mickey

Chris_Wang said:

@Mickey‌ I never found Keith from Ace to thank him for all he did at Salado... Definitely didn't know he came $20K out of pocket. Giving away 4 Minis loaded with other goodies seemed generous enough!

Chris what I am saying is the dealer ( in this case it was more than that) has to front the $$$$ buying the Eggs from the Distributor. They don't sell at the Fest the dealer has already paid for them. Plus other costs.

Chris_Wang

@Mickey‌ 10-4

Mickey

henapple said:

@Mickey. ..do you need all that for the first one?

You can do one w/o a dealer if everyone brought their own Eggs and lump. If you had a free venue or everyone kicked in for that cost. If that answered your question. I started Salado with just that in mind. But I knew the Distributor and a new hardware store was coming into Salado. I got lucky getting them to start selling Eggs and doing our Fest.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

travisstrick said:

LIKE THIS. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG7nKqglESU

oh. My. God. Classy.

Ewelch04

Booksw,
I have a few buddies in Bluffton that would be interested. We may be able to get something together. Let me know your thoughts on time of year and we can get this ball rolling. Lowcountry Eggfest has a pretty good ring!

booksw

I love Lowcountry Eggfest!  I just messaged you.

Chris_Wang

"Lowcountry Eggfest" already puts me in a good mood.

Mickey

Bet if Chris and his buddies would travel all the way to the Middle of Texas he would make a Low Country EggFest. I think Charleston would be a reason to head that way myself. We are off to North Georgia in May.

Chris_Wang

Definitely!

caliking

I would probably go . Born in Columbia, grew up there for a while, spent some time in Charleston, and have a cousin there now. 

Although the dealer has to buy into the idea, its not like they are losing money. For instance, name one other time that the dealer behind the Salado eggfest will sell 30+ eggs? Besides the next eggfest of course.

Having said that, i hung around pretty late the day of the Salado fest, and watched how much work those guys put into the fest. Their crew was on hand after the fun was over to empty burning charcoal out of eggs, get em cooled off, and then loaded on to people's vehicles. That's pretty damn awesome. 

Eggcelsior

Oh hell yes. I'll be all over a Lowcountry Fest. I'm from Charleston(IOP) so I use any excuse to get down there.

Another name could be the Pluffmud EggFest. Maybe try to get it on the beach(wild dunes has the space, but I doubt they'd allow it.)

Skiddymarker

A distributor getting 25% off retail (for the demos) is probably better than selling to a retailer (dealer). I think ta\hat is why the PNW egg fest is at the distributor's. 

billybon

If admission in charged for the tasters, does the local health department get involved with inspections?

plumbfir01

Ewelch04 said:

Booksw, I have a few buddies in Bluffton that would be interested. We may be able to get something together. Let me know your thoughts on time of year and we can get this ball rolling. Lowcountry Eggfest has a pretty good ring!

I was born and raised in bluffton, I live in the area now... you mean more eggheads live around here? 

plumbfir01

I would love to get in and help as much as I can. I have a few good contacts with dealers here, but not sure that helps for charleston. I would be willing to help you take it on. Im a firefighter medic so i work a weird schedule but have many days off. Pm me if you would like help... We could also consider hilton head as this is my area, but charleston is nice as well. 

booksw

I am meeting with the dealer tomorrow to discuss- I will report back

Gator_Man

Chris_Wang said:

Definitely!

Are you going to The Georgia mountain Fest???