If you are a serious Backyard BBQ'r who is thinking about stepping into the Competition World, there are some Must Have items you will need to include in you're arsenal of cooking equipment. 

The first item is a good quality meat thermometer. 

You can get buy with a $5 standard meat thermometer but if you want the best go with the Splashproof Thermaspen from Thermoworks.  This model works every time and gives you a reading within 3 seconds.

Next you'll want a weed burner and 20lb propane bottle. 

If you need hot coals in a hurry a weed burner is the way to go.  You can have a chimney hot and ready in less than 5 minutes. 

If you plan on getting any sleep during a contest, you'll want a BBQ guru or pit minder type device. 

These units will run your smoker at the proper temperature for hours.  They consist of a control unit, fan w/ mounting plate, pit temp probe, and a meat probe.  I get 5-6 hours of good sleep on an overnight cook with the help of a BBQ guru.  They can work with almost any smoker too!

Some type of insulated food holding cabinet is a must as well. 

I use a Carlisle brand food carrier.  This cabinet will hold 4 large food service pans which means that I can hold up to 4 whole Boston butts and 2 whole packer briskets.  Comes in handy for holding meat before turn-in times.

Some items should be standard

Such as several Sharp Knifes (filet knife, butcher knife, paring knife, roast slicer etc..), Squirt Bottles, Silicone Basting Brush, Latex Gloves w/ cotton liners (for handling hot meat), and a digital camera for taking pictures of blind boxes (comes in handy for review).