Frequently Asked Questions

Q: State Tournament Hotels
A: If your team has a reasonable chance of advancing on to the state tournament in Stevens Point, you may want to consider holding some hotel rooms early. If you wait too long, it can be difficult to find someplace close to stay. You can always cancel the rooms you don't need later. Here is a list of Hotels that have an affiliation with Destination Imagination, DI Hotels, mention our name and there is a chance they have something available . Other hotels are in the area but not listed here.

Q: What paperwork do I need for the tournament?
A: Have your paperwork ready before coming to the tournament. You should have five copies of the Tournament Data Form (for the Central Challenge), the Expense Report, and two copies of the Declaration of Independence (one for the Central Challenge, one for Instant Challenge.) Team members should do most of the work, although the TM may help the younger teams.

Q: What are the tournament fees?
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Q: When should the team arrive?
A: It's best to arrive at least an hour before the presentation time, sooner if there are many props, or if a lot assembly is required. When you arrive:

Check in at Registration.
Go find the performance site and then find a location where the team can store and set up their props. Then find the easiest access point in the school to bring in the team's props.
Parents and TM's can help move materials to your chosen location.

Q: What should we bring pre-performance?
A: Make sure you bring tools and adhesives if the team needs to assemble their props or solution. Watch out for inadvertant interference. If props are damaged in transport, whether by parents or a sibling, only the team members can repair them. If a parent or TM is observed (by a tournament official) repairing or assembling a teams solution, a scoring deduction can be assessed. Bring an extension cord if power tools are needed for assembly. Extra paper, pens, forms, scripts may help, along with tissues, cough drops and water. Create a checklist before the tournament so important items are not forgotten.

Q: What happens during the performance?
A: First, your team will meet with the Prep Area Appraiser. Be at this location (usually just outside the performance area) twenty minutes before the performance time. The team and their solution should be there. The Prep Area Appraiser will make sure you have all your paperwork and check your team's solution for any safety issues. He/she will then direct the team to take all their props to the Launch Area (the site adjacent to the performance area) where the team and all props will be immediately before their performance time. The Prep Area Appraiser will then introduce the team to the Timekeeper/Announcer and the Challenge Master or Head Appraiser.

The Timekeeper/Announcer will then introduce the team, and announce their performance time to start. The team moves everything out of the Launch Area into the Performance Area and begins their skit/solution. Once the team is finished, or when time is called, the team can take a bow to the audience. Because of time constraints, the team will not be able to go past the eight minute limit. Note: make sure the team knows they should perform to the audience, and not to where the Appraisers may be seated. The Appraisers will go to where they can best see the solution; some Appraisers may walk around so they can be in the best position to examine a scored component of a solution; but they will make every effort not to interfere with a performance.

After the team bows, the Appraisers will take a couple minutes to talk with the team about their solution. The TM(s) and parents should wait offstage until the Appraisers are finished talking to the team. Once done, the TM(s) and parents can help the team move all props off stage. In most cases, the team then moves on to the Instant Challenge portion of their day. Teams can pick up raw scores about half an hour after the performance (give or take a few minutes.) It's requested that one TM and one team member pick up the scores.

Q: What if my team has a conflict with the tournament date?
A: If the team knows ahead of time that it will have a problem performing on an assigned date, they can request a transfer to another Regional tournament. You have to pay a $10.00 transfer fee to the regional tournament you are leaving and then pay the full tournament fees for the new regional. You must also request the transfer by January 1st. Contact the Regional Director if you need to arrange a transfer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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