Here are your Nationals updates for this week, Coach!

Using Your National Tournament Hub to Prepare

• Our Nationals website has all the info you need to prep for the week! Pop through the headers at the top to familiarize yourself with the pages. If you do nothing else, bookmark this page: speechanddebate.org/nationals.
• Get a feel for what to expect with our day-by-day breakdowns that outline what's happening each day of the week. 
• For even more detail, read through the Schedule and Venues Doc (also linked from the top of the Nationals page) for round times and locations. 
• Explore our FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions.

Check Your Registration Before the Deadline Friday!

The registration deadline for Nationals is Friday, May 15. All entries, fees, judges, and materials are due. Please double check your registration on Tabroom.com! Issues will be flagged with a red X in the "Status" column on the "General" tab and must be resolved ASAP. For detailed instructions for how to solve registration issues, visit this document.

Safety and Security 

Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. Over the past year, we’ve carefully reviewed and strengthened our safety protocols to ensure every participant feels secure and supported throughout the competition.

• *NEW* Controlled Entry Points: Access to venues will be limited to designated entrances with security checkpoints for safety and monitoring. Details on entry point locations will be shared prior to the event.

• *NEW* Entry Inspection at All Venues: All attendees will be required to enter through OPENGATE weapons detection system at all tournament venues and may be subject to search. Items like laptops, glasses cases, and binders must be removed from bags and handed to security before walking through the OPENGATE system.

• *NEW* Wristbands Required for Entry: All participants must wear a wristband for entry into tournament venues. Wristbands are non-transferrable and cannot be removed for the duration of the tournament. They will be distributed at registration to individuals captured in Tabroom. If a replacement wristband is required, the participant must present valid identification before being permitted entry into a tournament venue. 

• Identification Badges/Ribbons: Within tournament venues, attendees must wear identifying ribbons at all times. This includes approved observers like parents and chaperones. Ribbons are distributed during registration to individuals captured in Tabroom.

Required Identification 

As stated in the security measures, every individual attending the tournament is required to have a wristband and a ribbon or badge indicating that they are associated with the event for entry. Schools are responsible for ensuring that all individuals attending in association with their school are informed of and understand that, throughout the tournament, all participants are expected to follow the NSDA Code of Honor, applicable school district policies, and all relevant state and federal laws. Please check that everyone attending with your school (including siblings, parents, etc.) is captured in Tabroom.com. Summary: 

• Competitors entered in Tabroom  —  No additional action needed to secure a badge.
• Judges entered in Tabroom  —  No additional action needed to secure a badge.
• Coaches who are not judging  —  Additional action needed. Coaches must be entered in the General tab and toggled to On Site to secure a badge.
• All other individuals  —  Additional action needed. Attendees must be entered in the Attendees section of the Judging & Attendees tab in Tabroom to secure a ribbon. 

Make sure you have entered everyone attending Nationals with your school on your Tabroom.com registration to avoid issues on site!

Script Turn-In Requirements

Coaches of competitors in DI, HI, DUO, POI, INF, and OO are required to upload a series of script materials to Tabroom.com. A working copy of these materials is due on Friday, May 15, and edits can be made until Saturday, June 13.

These are the files that will be reviewed if there are concerns or protests during competition. Review the script requirements »

Accommodation Request Process

We are committed to providing reasonable ADA accommodations to ensure full access and participation for all individuals at the National Tournament. Judges and coaches may submit requests, and coaches submit requests on behalf of students. 

We encourage participants to submit requests, including requests for wristband exemptions, as early as possible to ensure timely support.

Protecting Your Physical and Mental Health at Nationals

• If you need medical attention at the tournament, nurses or EMTs are available at each competition venue. 

• If you're feeling overwhelmed, a quiet room is available at each competition venue. Visit the Tournament Office for access. 
• Our Belonging and Inclusion Advocates are available to offer interpersonal support and care at every venue if you need to talk to someone. 
• Stay hydrated! Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it often.  
• Pack comfortable shoes and layers. 
• All gender restrooms are available at all venues. 
• All attendees have the opportunity to share their pronouns, and we expect all attendees to take note of and respect other attendees’ pronouns throughout the tournament.

Questions? We're here to help! Email info@speechanddebate.org or call (920) 748-6206.

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