KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE SOCIETY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 6:00 PM CST
Membership Requests to Address the Board:
None
Call to Order – Paul Buob
Roll Call:
Carol Bigler, David Qualls, Donna Fong, Jeanne Titus, Blake Moore, Paul Buob, Thomas Gearhart, Luke Darnell; KCBS Office: Rod Gray
Absent: None
Board Pledge:
Recognizing barbeque as America’s cuisine, the mission of the Kansas City Barbeque Society is to celebrate, teach, preserve, and promote barbeque as a culinary technique, sport, and art form.
I accept my duties as a KCBS director to further the KCBS mission so that truth, justice, excellence in barbeque, and the American way of life may be strengthened and preserved forever.
Declaration of Quorum
Consent Agenda:
Notice concerning Committee Reports. Some committees do not meet monthly. If a report is presented, it will be included as an attachment to the agenda.
Minutes of previous BoD meeting
Contest Report
Sanctioning Committee
Judging Committee
Contest Representative Committee
Rules Committee
Technology Committee
Foundation Committee
Nominating Committee
Hall of Fame Committee
Working Groups:
Organizers Working Group
Membership Subcommittee
Backyard Working Group
Sponsorship Working Group
World Invitational Working Group
Discussion of any items removed from Consent Agenda:
Chief Executive Officer’s Report:
CEO Report attached.
The Board may take actions based on Topics and Discussions from this report as New Business.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Mandatory JCup for KCBS Judges
Closed Session Agenda:
Discussion of legal, financial, personnel, and real estate.
None
After Closed Session:
The Board may take any necessary actions, including motions on any or all matters discussed in closed session
Board Comments
Adjourn or Suspend
Attachments and Reports
Contest Report
|
Contest |
Date |
City |
ST/Country |
|
|
Smokin in the Valley 2 |
8/1/2026 |
8/2/2026 |
AUSTRALIA |
|
|
Backyard Boys BBQ Bonanza (BACKYARD ONLY) (Day 1) |
7/23/2027 |
7/24/2027 |
Cannon Falls |
MN |
|
Backyard Boys BBQ Bonanza (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
7/23/2027 |
7/23/2027 |
Cannon Falls |
MN |
|
Backyard Boys BBQ Bonanza (BACKYARD ONLY) (Day 2) |
7/24/2027 |
7/25/2027 |
Cannon Falls |
MN |
|
Cedar Fest BBQ Cook Off |
4/2/2027 |
4/3/2027 |
Cedar Park |
TX |
|
Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional |
1/29/2027 |
1/30/2027 |
PANAMA |
|
|
Speed & Feed BBQ Festival & Car Show |
3/12/2027 |
3/13/2027 |
Darlington |
SC |
|
Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship |
12/4/2026 |
12/5/2026 |
Demopolis |
AL |
|
King Ranch - Ranch Hand Breakfast BBQ Competition |
11/20/2026 |
11/21/2026 |
Downtown Kingsville |
TX |
|
11th Annual E'burg BBQ Contest |
7/23/2027 |
7/24/2027 |
Emmetsburg |
IA |
|
Fossalta is on Fire BBQ Competition (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) |
10/17/2026 |
10/17/2026 |
ITALY |
|
|
Fossalta is on Fire BBQ Competition (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
10/17/2026 |
10/17/2026 |
ITALY |
|
|
South Carolina Festival of Discovery |
7/8/2027 |
7/10/2027 |
Greenwood |
SC |
|
Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship |
3/19/2027 |
3/20/2027 |
Lebanon |
TN |
|
Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) |
3/19/2027 |
3/19/2027 |
Lebanon |
TN |
|
Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
3/19/2027 |
3/19/2027 |
Lebanon |
TN |
|
BRRBQ (Day 1) |
11/20/2026 |
11/21/2026 |
BELGIUM |
|
|
BRRBQ (Day 2) |
11/20/2026 |
11/22/2026 |
BELGIUM |
|
|
First State BBQ Bash (BACKYARD SUNDAY) |
9/27/2026 |
9/27/2026 |
Milford |
DE |
|
Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 1) |
5/14/2027 |
5/15/2027 |
Morgantown |
PA |
|
Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 2) |
5/15/2027 |
5/16/2027 |
Morgantown |
PA |
|
Smoke on the Rail BBQ Festival (Day 1) |
7/23/2027 |
7/24/2027 |
New Freedom |
PA |
|
Smoke on the Rail BBQ Festival (Day 2) |
7/24/2027 |
7/25/2027 |
New Freedom |
PA |
|
Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) |
9/17/2027 |
9/18/2027 |
New Paltz |
NY |
|
Grand American Barbecue World Championship (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
9/17/2027 |
9/17/2027 |
New Paltz |
NY |
|
Grand American Barbecue World Championship (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) |
9/17/2027 |
9/17/2027 |
New Paltz |
NY |
|
Grand American Barbecue World Championship Open |
9/18/2027 |
9/19/2027 |
New Paltz |
NY |
|
SJV Winter Rub |
1/29/2027 |
1/30/2027 |
Omaha |
NE |
|
Smokin on the Osage BBQ Contest (Day 1) |
7/16/2027 |
7/17/2027 |
Osceola |
MO |
|
Smokin on the Osage BBQ Contest (Day 2) |
7/17/2027 |
7/18/2027 |
Osceola |
MO |
|
Alaska Grown BBQ Competition (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
9/17/2026 |
9/18/2026 |
Palmer |
AK |
|
Alaska Grown BBQ Competition (One Meat CHICKEN) |
9/17/2026 |
9/18/2026 |
Palmer |
AK |
|
BBQ Expo Master's Challenge |
4/3/2027 |
4/4/2027 |
ITALY |
|
|
Trekking for CDH (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
9/19/2026 |
9/19/2026 |
Pierron |
IL |
|
Camino del Fuego 2026 |
9/18/2026 |
9/19/2026 |
COSTA RICA |
|
|
Camino del Fuego 2026 (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) |
9/18/2026 |
9/18/2026 |
COSTA RICA |
|
|
Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival |
5/14/2027 |
5/15/2027 |
Sevierville |
TN |
|
Kickin' It Route 66 Barbecue Challenge |
3/26/2027 |
3/27/2027 |
St. Robert |
MO |
|
Kickin' It Route 66 Barbecue Challenge (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
3/27/2027 |
3/27/2027 |
St. Robert |
MO |
|
All American Military/Veterans/First Responders BBQ Contest (COMPETITOR SERIES) |
10/16/2026 |
10/16/2026 |
Sunland Park |
NM |
|
Tulsa Tailgate Rib Cook-Off (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
11/14/2026 |
11/14/2026 |
Tulsa |
OK |
|
BBQ Gives Back (Day 1) |
3/19/2027 |
3/20/2027 |
Urbanna |
VA |
|
BBQ Gives Back (Day 2) |
3/20/2027 |
3/21/2027 |
Urbanna |
VA |
|
BBQ Gives Back |
3/24/2028 |
3/25/2028 |
Urbanna |
VA |
|
No Smoke, No Glory 2 (Day 1) |
7/9/2027 |
7/10/2027 |
CROATIA |
|
|
No Smoke, No Glory 2 (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
7/9/2027 |
7/9/2027 |
CROATIA |
|
|
No Smoke, No Glory 2 (ONE MEAT BRISKET) |
7/9/2027 |
7/9/2027 |
CROATIA |
|
|
No Smoke, No Glory 2 (Day 2) |
7/10/2027 |
7/11/2027 |
CROATIA |
|
|
Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 1 (MASTER & BACKYARD) |
6/11/2027 |
6/12/2027 |
West Salem |
WI |
|
Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 1 (ONE MEAT RIBS) |
6/11/2027 |
6/11/2027 |
West Salem |
WI |
|
Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 2 (MASTER & BACKYARD) |
6/12/2027 |
6/13/2027 |
West Salem |
WI |
Sanctioning Committee
Committee Members: Jeanne Titus
No report for this period.
CBJ Committee
Committee Chair: Blake Moore
Members: Blake Moore, Loudon, TN, Committee Chair; Bill Jones, Richmond,
Va; Kent Harriss, Lake City, FL; Joe DeBella, Henrico, VA; Andrew Peercy, Franklin, TN:
Kim Waddell, Clinton, MS; Tony Ucciferri, Concord, CA; Debra Gage, Germantown, TN;
Mike Curtis, Kennesaw, GA; and Ron Keefover, Secretary.
The meeting of the KCBS CBJ committee focused on the ongoing issue of inconsistent scoring by judges at barbecue contests. Members discussed the challenges that new as well as experienced judges face in calibrating their scores, with many noting that the current training does not adequately prepare judges to distinguish between scores like 9 and 7. The group debated potential solutions, such as creating a one-page reference guide with more detailed score definitions or producing video resources to demonstrate the judging process. They also touched on the idea of using technology to push score feedback to judges. Other topics included the possibility of reaching out to 4-H and FFA clubs, and the mention of a new board member election that resulted in a tie. The conversation highlighted the persistent problem of score inflation and the need for better judge education and resources.
Contest Representative Committee
Committee Chair: Carol Bigler
Committee Members:
Rules Committee
Committee Chair: Carol Bigler
Committee Members:
No report for this period.
Finance Committee
Committee Members: Thomas Gearhart, Paul Buob, Luke Darnell, Jeanne Titus, Rod Gray.
Foundation Committee
Committee Chair: Paul Buob
Committee Members:
Nominating Committee
Committee Chair: Blake Moore
Committee Member:
No report for this period.
Technology Working Group
Committee Chair: Luke Darnell
Committee Members: David McAllister.
Hall of Fame Workgroup
Committee Chair: Thomas Gearhart
Committee Members: Carolyn Wells.
No report for this period.
Organizer Working Group
Committee Chair: Donna Fong
Committee Members: Organizer Kathy Trainor (Taunton, MA), Organizer Christie Vanover, Organizer Jim Palmer (Riverside, CA), Organizer/Rep Bill Jones (Richmond, VA), Representative Julie Poe (Sacramento, CA), Chair Donna Fong, and CEO Rod Gray.
Current Project: We are documenting the historical contributions of organizers to KCBS. Because contests held before 2018 do not currently list associated organizers, we are manually backfilling these names as information becomes available. If you have records or knowledge of contest organizers prior to 2018, please reach out to Donna Fong at dfong@kcbs.us.
Next Steps & Upcoming Meetings:
Continued Support: The workgroup will continue proactive outreach to organizers needing assistance. Organizers seeking support can contact dfong@kcbs.us.
Next Scheduled Meetings: October 6, 2026, and December 1, 2026, at 6:30 PM Central.
Marketing and Membership Workgroup
Committee Chairs: Donna Fong and Blake Moore
Committee Members: MCBJ Kent Hayes (KS), MCBJ Mark Tuttle (ID), MCBJ and Rep Debbie Spray (TX), CBJ John Serpico (MA), and MCBJ Royce Johnson (CA)
World Invitational (Public Facing) Working Group
Committee Chair: Blake Moore
Committee Members: Paul Buob, Jason Cole, Eric Cantrell, Cliff Brockman, Rod Gray.
No report for this period.
KCBS Competition Enhancement Working Group
Committee Members: Thomas Gearhart, Blake Moore, David Puckett, Josh Yagel, Pat Larisey, Garry Edwards.
Monthly Experience Survey (MES) Results – No Report
CEO Report
Broadcast email update:
Following the corrections made to our email system in July, the system has absorbed a sharp increase in volume without any degradation in deliverability or list health. Monthly broadcast volume rose from 14 messages and 27,534 recipients in July to 42 messages and 70,668 recipients in August — nearly triple the volume — driven primarily by the special election notifications and reminders, the Ole Hickory CTO Smoker sweepstakes, and the regular Bullsheet issue. September is off to a normal pace, with 7 messages sent to 8,976 recipients through September 7.
Despite that growth, quality metrics actually improved: unsubscribes as a share of total recipients fell from 0.08% in July to 0.04% in August and 0.03% so far in September, even as the system handled nearly three times the July volume. Bounce rates followed the same pattern — as of September 7, only 40 of the 27,874 members and contacts on our list (0.1%) are currently bouncing, consistent with the dramatic drop from the roughly 2,900 bounces the system was producing before the corrections were made.
The seven special election notification eblasts sent August 10–11 achieved open rates of 53–58%, and the reminder eblasts sent August 21–24 achieved open rates in the mid-40s — both comfortably above industry benchmarks for association and nonprofit email (Higher Logic reports a 33.54% average association open rate; Mailchimp reports 40.04% for nonprofits). Since the corrections have been made, the office now receives only occasional calls about missing emails. These are being handled on a case by case basis.
2026 KCBS Board of Directors Special Election
The 2026 KCBS Board of Directors Special Election closed on Monday, August 24, with 1,213 of 11,888 eligible members casting ballots — a turnout of approximately 10.2%. Votes were cast by members across all 50 states and more than 40 countries, reflecting the Society's international membership base.
The results produced a tie for the open seat: Joe Osbrink and Joe De Bella each received 497 votes (40.97%), with Andrew Peercy receiving 219 votes (18.05%). Per KCBS bylaws, which include a provision for resolving tied elections, the Board of Directors called a Special Meeting on the evening of August 26 to break the tie. After Board member Blake Moore presented the audited election results, the Board voted 5–3 in favor of Joe Osbrink, electing him to the open seat. Joe Osbrink will join the Board of Directors at the next regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8.
MemberLeap, the third-party firm administering the vote, certified that the online voting system performed correctly throughout the voting period, with no downtime or cybersecurity issues observed, and confirmed the results were accurate after completing its audit process.
The full announcement and detailed results have been posted to the KCBS website.
American Royal World Series of Barbecue
With the American Royal less than one month away, they are reporting approximately 190 teams in the Inivational and 365 teams in the Open. The team packet and initial team placement map have been published. We continue to work closely with the American Royal regarding team check-in, turn-in areas, the judging area, and the tabulation area.
KCBS Digital Publication
The September Bullsheet delivered another month of engagement well ahead of industry norms. The email open rate came in at 53.59% — essentially matching August's 54.45%, and more than 13 points above Mailchimp's 40.04% nonprofit average and 20 points above Higher Logic's 33.54% association average. Recipients clicked through to read the issue at a 7.3% rate (13.6% of everyone who opened it), also well above the Higher Logic and Mailchimp click-rate benchmarks of 2.68% and 3.27%. The numbers presented in the Marketing and Communications section go into greater detail.
The Bullsheet continues to significantly outperform email benchmarks for similar organizations, reflecting exceptionally strong and consistent member engagement with the publication.
KCBS International
International events by the numbers:
Master Series: 57
Backyard Series: 6
One Meat: 29
Competitor Series: 1
CBJ Classes: 10
Total Events: 103
2027 events scheduled as of 9//3/26: 15
Summary
September reflects the payoff of the work put into strengthening KCBS's systems and operations. The email system has now proven itself under real pressure — handling nearly triple its normal volume during the special election while bounce and unsubscribe rates actually improved. That election is now resolved: following a tiebreaker vote, Joe Osbrink was elected to the Board of Directors serving out Randy Todd’s term. The Bullsheet continues to significantly outperform industry engagement benchmarks, and KCBS International heads into fall with a record 103 events in 2026, with 15 events already on the books for 2027. With the American Royal World Series of Barbecue less than a month away, preparations are underway for the Invitational and Open teams at a new location. We continue working to strengthen the systems and infrastructure needed to support the organization's continued success..
July’s expired-member postcard campaign resulted in 55 renewals. Postcards for August expirations will go out next week.
265 events completed in 2026
368 events scheduled for 2026
33 events canceled in 2026
29 CBJ classes scheduled in 2026
14 Table Captain classes scheduled in 2026
Bullsheet
The September issue of the Bullsheet, sent in seven batches between August 31 and September 1, reached a total of 12,558 recipients — essentially flat compared to 12,465 in August. The digital publication was opened by 6,730 members as of September 7, reflecting a 53.59% open rate, comparable to August's 54.45%. The issue's lead feature, "Remembering CBJ #1," profiles Ed Roith, the Society's first Certified BBQ Judge, alongside coverage of how KCBS resolved the tied Board of Directors special election. 912 recipients — 7.3% of those sent, or 13.6% of those who opened — clicked through to read the full digital issue.
Social Media (as of 9/7/26)
Engagement and audience growth continue across all platforms.
Current Follower Counts
|
|
79,883 followers, up from 79,852 |
Facebook Performance
Views: 203,992, up from 177,500, reported as a 6% increase in the previous 28 days via Facebook
Engagement: 10,756, reported as a 2% increase from the previous 28 days
New followers: 92 net loss in followers in the previous 28 days (uncertain of the discrepancy in reporting)
Website Performance (per Google Search Console - September 2026)
9.23K total clicks (down from 10.3K last month) from Google Search
66.8K total impressions, (down from 107K last month)
Top-clicked pages:
Homepage: 6,435 clicks, down from 7,267 last month
Explore Events page: 1,013 clicks, down from 1,072 last month
Judging Classes page: 295 clicks, down from 324 last month
Sanctioning Information: 147 clicks, not reported last month
Judging Requirements page: 119 clicks, down from 163 last month
KCBS World Invitational: 110 clicks, not reported last month
Top search queries:
kcbs 3,570, down from 4,441 last month
kcbs bbq 1,563, down from 1,609 last month
kcbs events 455, up from 408 last month
Device usage:
Mobile: 6,855, down from 7,782 last month
Desktop: 2,165, down from 2,236 last month
Tablet: 210, down from 240 last month
Top countries:
United States: 8,025 clicks, 56,049 impressions
Canada: 378 clicks, 1,530 impressions
Italy: 200 clicks, 547 impressions