Pre- Tournament and Tournament Tips

Team Managers:  When you receive the information regarding the Regional Tournament from the Regional Director, it is a good idea to schedule a meeting with the team and their parents to discuss tournament day specifics for your team.  

Discussion points for Parent’s meeting:

• Parents need reminded of the date and place of the tournament (maps are always helpful) and should be reminded when and where to have team members meet.  Be specific! 
• Remind them that parking may be an issue and the hallways are always crowded. Leaving extra time is always a good idea! 
• Snacks- How many and what kind?
• Most team members like to purchase some type of souvenir from the Tournament.  Let the parents know that there is a Sales Table at the Tournament with a large selection and price range, so all team members can make purchases.  There may be a limited number of each item per Tournament, so shop early! 
• The Tournaments also offer food that can be purchased for lunches. 
• Remind, remind, remind the parents that the teams are responsible for their own special make-up, hairdo’s, costumes, props, scenery, etc.  The only assistance that parents can give is to help carry and transport the items.  Team members must do all construction work, wiring, repairs, applications, braiding, dyeing, etc.!

Discussion points for team members:

· Do you have or need a checklist of some sort?

· When and how should you pack your props, costumes, scenery, etc.?

· What type of tools, tape, and glue may you need at the tournament?  What if something gets broken and needs repair? Do you need fresh batteries?

· Is all the paperwork done?  How many copies of each type of paperwork do we need?  Do we have any clarifications to bring with us?  It is always a good idea to have at least three complete sets of paperwork made since they seem to disappear like magic. 

· Does everyone know his or her roles and responsibilities for the day of the tournament?

Tournament Day!!!

· Everyone should plan on being there early.  Nothing can stress a team out faster that being late and in a rush.

· Register your team at the Registration Table. You will receive an envelope with certificates for your team.  This is where you would also find out if there have been any changes in your performance site or times.  This happens very rarely, but has happened.  So please check in early. Visit the checker table to have your paperwork checked.  

· Visit your team challenge site and locate the prop drop off area for your site.  Check out the competition set up and layout.  Discuss whether changes in set up are needed.  Locate the bathrooms/changing rooms.

Team Challenge Procedure:

• About one hour before your performance time for Team Challenge, bring in your props, costumes and scenery.  Set up what you can in the hallway, but against a wall.  Please do not block the hallways!  Make sure everything is in working order and that you have everything.  Make any “fixes” necessary (team only!).  Get in costume and apply make-up (team assistance only!).  Have paperwork ready!  Use the restrooms! This will be one of the most stressful times of the tournament. Try to have an activity, jokes or something to relax and energize your team.  This is also the “high risk” time for “parental” interference.  Please make sure that parents do not step in to “lend a hand”.  
• The Prep Area Appraiser will inform you when it is time for your “prep” to start. At this point, the appraisers are interested in speaking only to you, the team members.   They will instruct you on the procedures for each site.  They will look over your materials for safety issues and ask you questions about what you plan to do during your performance.  They will collect the team’s paperwork and make sure you have all the required forms. 
• For procedure information specific to your challenge, please download and read “Travel Guide for Teams”
• When the performance is over, the team will be instructed to take “a bow”.  This is the time for you to receive recognition for all your hard work.  Then you will have the opportunity to speak with the appraisers and show them all you have accomplished.  (Parents, we ask that you stop videotaping at this point.)  Have fun with this!  Be as concise and to the point as possible.  Unfortunately, scheduling restraints limit the amount of time the appraisers can spend with each team.
• When the appraisers are finished, please remove your items from the performance area.  Parents may help again at this point.  The area must be left clean and dry for the next team.  Your team is responsible for all items necessary to accomplish this: brooms, rags, etc.  
• Please remove all props and scenery from the building!  They are not to be stored in the hallways.  Do not destroy or throw away props at the tournament.  Teams should save all items at least until after the Award Ceremony.  Many teams save their props and scenery to break down and reuse materials.  
• The Head Appraiser will apprise the Team Manager as to when the scores for the team will be available.  The Team Manager and one Team Member can return for the raw scores.  The Head Appraiser will go over the raw scores with them, note the time on the sheet and the team representative returns to the team with the scores.  The teams have 30 minutes to return to the site if any questions or concerns arise.  For a complete description of the scoring and appeals process, please see “Rules of the Road”.
• Teams should debrief away from all the “hustle and bustle”.  This will allow them to discuss all aspects of their presentation comfortably.  

Instant Challenge Procedure:

• Report to the Instant Challenge area and check in at least 15 minutes prior to your starting time. Do warm ups to loosen up, use the restroom and maybe have a quick snack prior to reporting. 

Most of all, remember to have fun!

Your Regional Director, with the help of many other volunteers, has worked hard to make the tournament a very special day for all of you. You’ve worked very hard and this is your time to shine!

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MICA TOURNAMENT REMINDERS

1. The use of helium is prohibited at all MICA Tournaments in Michigan.
2. Destination ImagiNation teams in the state of Michigan are not allowed to alter the lighting at any performance sites at any MICA tournament.
3. In order for a team to advance to and compete at the MICA Affiliate Finals Tournament, the team must present a good faith effort.
4. All teams will be stopped at the end of their challenge performance time.
5. No team will be allowed to compete in any MICA sanctioned tournament until all fees are paid.
6. If you are given team permission, you may videotape only the team’s Central Challenge performance.   When their performance ends, please turn off all recording devices. 
7. Parents and Team Managers please do not enter the performance area until you are invited by the Challenge Master, Head Appraiser, or their designate.
8. It is the team's responsibility to find out from their Tournament Director, prior to the Tournament, if there are any site-specific restrictions regarding safety and restrictions.  Please refer to "Rules of the Road."
9. Teams are not allowed to change the challenge they have selected after the team has submitted their regional registration form to the Regional Director. 
10. Each team proceeding on to the state tournament shall provide an appraiser who will commit to working the entire State Tournament or the team will be assessed a "No Appraiser Fee" of $200.00
11. Only one first place trophy will be awarded per team at the MICA Affiliate Finals Tournament.