For the first time in its history, the International Chili Society, which has been crowning chili champions since 1967, is conducting a formal open bid process to bring together the world's Chiliheads for the World's Championship Chili Cookoff.

According to Carol Hancock, chief executive officer of ICS, past host cities of the ICS World's Championship Chili Cookoff have seen economic impacts of approximately $1.5 million from the three-day event. More than 400 cooks and judges, including their families, will descend upon the host city during the event, providing a direct impact of hundreds of thousands of dollars to a local community. In the past 10 years, attendance for the Championship weekend has ranged between 10,000 and 50,000 Chiliheads (the adopted name of chili enthusiasts).

"This request for proposal is a prime opportunity for a community that is looking for a way to gain national attention and increase tourism dollars," said Hancock. "Chiliheads are remarkably faithful, and will travel great lengths to compete in the World's Championship Chili Cookoff. Rotating the event allows us to introduce competitive chili to many locations. We are eager to work with a progressive community that could become a long-term partner as the host city for the World's Championship Chili Cookoff."

The World's Championship Chili Cookoff is the culmination of a yearlong competitive chili season. Winners of the more than 200 ICS-sanctioned chili cookoffs are automatically qualified to compete in the Championship. These district, regional and state cookoffs raise more than $1 million annually for a number of charitable organizations.

Last year, the cookoff was held in Charleston, W.V. ICS has rotated the event's location, ranging from Las Vegas and Reno to Los Angeles and Omaha.

ICS will accept notifications of intent to respond to the RFP until March 9. Final proposals are due March 26. For a full timeline and additional information, communities can learn more by visiting the ICS Web site at www.chilicookoff.com.

ICS is a not-for-profit organization that sanctions more than 200 chili cookoffs worldwide, while the number of Chiliheads is close to 2,000 members. Chili competitions are judged in three categories: red (traditional red chili), chili verde (green chili), and salsa. Last year's red chili world champion, Maureen Barrett, earned the $25,000 grand prize for her Maureen's Almost Famous Red Chili.

SOURCE International Chili Society

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