accommodations
If you require a hotel stay, we have secured accommodations for you Thursday and Friday nights (May 14-15, with just a few exceptions to these dates) at the Courtyard Marriott, a downtown Memphis hotel property. You should have received a hotel confirmation via email on Monday, May 11 from “McCormick (via EventOps).”
Transportation
For transportation to and from Memphis International Airport, we recommend Uber, Lyft, or taxi.
Transportation to and from all official events will be run by EventOps, primarily via shuttle buses. Shuttle pickups & drop-offs will happen at the corner of N Main & Jefferson, just outside the North lobby doors of the hotel. There will be an EventOps staff member on hand, wearing a company t-shirt, to help facilitate. All vehicles will have credentials clearly displayed.
If you are not staying at the hotel, you can still utilize our shuttle buses, or you can secure your own transportation to and from the event.
Weather
The predicted high during Memphis in May is 87°, and the average low is 64°; however, the exact weather is notoriously unpredictable this time of year. There is typically a chance of a late spring rain shower, and the humidity can be quite high.
suggested dress
Comfort and adaptability will be key. The WCBCC (World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest) takes place in Liberty Park, much of which is tailgating sites and parking for the University of Memphis Tigers’ Liberty Bowl Stadium. The Cattlemen’s tent space will be situated on asphalt, but do not wear your finest shoes! Temperatures will be warm, but there will be ample fans and misters in and around the hospitality suite. Definitely bring a rain jacket just in case.
The hotel is within walking distance to some but not all downtown restaurants and bars. Walking extensive distances alone at night is not advised for safety reasons, but you may want to wear comfortable shoes after hours to more easily walk from place to place. Ride shares can sometimes be limited in Memphis, and downtown is expected to be quite busy this weekend.
Credentials
You will need a pass at all times to access the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (WCBCC), and you will need further credentials to gain entry into the McCormick Hospitality Tent.
Credential pickup will begin at 9:00am on Thursday, May 14th in the Riverview Room off the Courtyard Marriott Lobby. Look for an “EventOps McCormick” sign outside the door.
If you are not staying at the hotel, your event credentials will be available at the Will Call window on your way in to Memphis In May. If you are not using our transportation note that it is the entrance off Central across from Christian Brothers University; the Will Call box is at the Early Maxwell (north) Liberty Park/Memphis In May entrance. Here is the Memphis In May map for reference.
If you need credentials prior to this time, someone from McCormick will be in touch to coordinate.
Schedule
An outline of the event schedule is available on the Schedule page.
Questions?
Your main point of contact will be our Memphis-based event partner, EventOps. Their concierge event phone number is
901-509-7763, and text is best. Or you can email EventOps: info [at] eventops [dot] net.