NASPAWiki - User contributions [en]

Financial reports

2019-05-30T19:15:53Z

Dallasjohnson: /* IRS filings */

This page is a collection of official '''financial reports''' and similar documents concerning [[NASPA]] (officially ''North American Word Game Players Association'').

== IRS filings ==
[[Media:2018_Form_990.pdf|2018 Form 990]]

[[Media:2017_Form_990.pdf|2017 Form 990]]

[[Media:2016_Form_990.pdf|2016 Form 990]]

[[Media:2015_Form_990.pdf|2015 Form 990]]

[[Media:2014_Form_990.pdf|2014 Form 990]]

[[Media:2013_Form_990.pdf|2013 Form 990]]

File:2018 Form 990.pdf

2019-05-30T19:14:38Z

Dallasjohnson:

2018 North American SCRABBLE Championship

2018-07-26T21:05:16Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Dining */

'''INFO ON THIS PAGE IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
'''

The '''2018 [[North American SCRABBLE Championship]]''' will take place on August 4–8, 2018 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202. This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available.
;[[Image:NASC2018Buffalo8-150px.png|right|150px|NSC 2018 logo]]

== Live Event Coverage ==

For continuously updated results from our event once it gets underway, please visit the '''[http://event.scrabbleplayers.org/2018/cnsc/build/index.html LIVE COVERAGE section]'''.

== Registration ==

<a href="http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/register.pl?event_id=NSC2018">Online registration</a> is open.
A list of <a href="http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/reglist.pl?event=NSC2018">registered players</a> is available on this website
and on cross-tables.com.
The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form.

=== Eligibility ===

To play in the NASC, you must (1) be a NASPA [[membership|member]], and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned SCRABBLE tournament to earn an official tournament [[rating]].
If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere it may be a [[WESPA]] rating or other comparable national rating.

==== TWL Divisions====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the Official Club and Tournament Word List 2016 (TWL), you may do so. Four TWL divisions will be offered, divided by Qualification Rating (QR), with unlimited play-up available. If your QR is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your QR is in the range 1400–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your QR is in the range 1100–1399, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3. If your QR is below 1100, you may play in any of the four divisions.

Your QR consists of the highest tournament rating attained at the end of any NASPA TWL-rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) which finished during the period from July 26, 2017 to July 26, 2018 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is your unchanged current rating.

Player division assignments will be reviewed after July 26, 2018 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your QR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

==== Collins Divisions ====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and prefer to play using the international Collins (CSW) lexicon, you may do so. If your Collins Qualification Rating (CQR) is 1500 or higher, you must play in Division 1. If it is 1499 or below, you may play in Division 1 or 2. Players who only have a WESPA rating will be permitted to play in Division 1 or 2 if that rating is 1399 or below. If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of July 5, 2018, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division.

Your CQR is the highest Collins tournament rating attained at the end of a NASPA CSW-rated tournament which finished during the period from July 26, 2017 to July 26, 2018 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you had a NASPA CSW rating prior to this period, but did not play during the period, your qualifying rating is that unchanged rating. If you do not have a NASPA CSW rating, but have a NASPA TWL rating, your CQR is your TWL QR. The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated.

If there will be two divisions, player division assignments will be reviewed after July 26, 2018 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your CQR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

==== Information for International Players ====

If you are thinking about travelling from overseas to play in this event for the first time, please read our [[2018 NASC for Overseas Visitors]] page.

Again this year, there will again be one or two separate divisions of players using the Collins lexicon at the North American Scrabble Championship.

Players must have a NASPA, WESPA or other equivalent rating deemed acceptable by the Championship Committee prior to competing. Those players with only a WESPA rating will be allowed to compete in CSW2 division if that rating is 1399 or below. For participants with both NASPA and WESPA ratings, the NASPA rating will be used to determine eligibility for CSW2.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated. Please see full information about the division in the section above.

=== Entry Fees ===

'''The base entry fee for all divisions is $200.'''

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after August 8, 2018, may pay $100 to play in any division.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2018. For example, a player signing up on June 1, 2018 would pay $250.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 26, 2018 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a youth signing up on July 30, 2018 would pay $225. Acceptance of registrants after July 26, 2018 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Players not staying at the host hotel for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum). The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the Buffalo area. Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the event must pay the full commuter fee, and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

=== Division Changes ===

To change divisions after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].
Division changes are subject to the following conditions:

* After registration closes on July 26, 2018, if your division change would increase the number of players who may potentially have to have byes (if you would make two divisions odd, or would make a larger division odd), you will be waitlisted until this is not the case.

* '''A $25 fee will be charged to accommodate the division change.'''

If your rating rises above the limit for the division in
which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify at no charge.

=== Refunds ===

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to your membership address as shown in your member profile.
No refunds will be issued after the refund deadlines described below.

'''All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $25.'''

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will
refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 26, 2018.

=== Conditions ===

==== Rules, Code and Terms/Conditions ====
By registering for the NASC, you agree to abide by the NASPA Tournament [[Rules]] and [[Code of Conduct]], and agree to comply with the [[2018 North American SCRABBLE Championship Terms and Conditions]].
In particular, some games at this tournament, probably the highest Division 1 board without a Gibsonized player,
will be annotated live.
If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation,
you will forfeit it, and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

==== Minor Release ====
A [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/0/04/2018_Minor_Release_and_Consent_Form.pdf Minor Release and Consent Form] will be required for all players under age 18 as of August 3, 2018, and may be downloaded and submitted in advance, or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

==== Player Bulletin ====
Please read our
[[2018 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]], and check
it again for last-minute updates before you travel to the event.

==== Equipment Required ====
Participants in the 2018 North American Scrabble Championship are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

==== Changes ====
The [[Championship Committee]] reserves the right to
modify the above to account for unforeseen
special circumstances.

== Hotel/Travel Information ==

See also our <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Xw5rVmJtp4WC291jxiZzYxRsDac4HBV6&usp=sharing">Google Map</a>.

For information about airline discounts, please consult the
[[2018 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|player bulletin]].

=== Hotel Registration ===

The official event hotel is the Hyatt Regency Buffalo at
2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14202 (phone: 716-856-1234).
Players registering through our
[https://aws.passkey.com/go/Scrabble2018 group link]
are eligible for our special rate of $139/night (up to quad occupancy; plus tax) at the event hotel;
those who live outside of the Buffalo area and do not either book a room at the host hotel or book a room within our group block at one of the other hotels listed below, will pay a $100 facility fee to contribute the cost of the venue space.

Complimentary in-room wireless internet is included in our group rate. Hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms, and must be booked before July 21, 2018.

The Hyatt is immediately adjacent to the Convention Center,
and is connected to it by an indoor walkway, with elevators
available for players with mobility issues.

Due to demand we have opened a second block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express located at 601 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, four blocks from the Convention Center. King suites are available at $152/nt quad occupancy (king & sofa bed). Book using this [https://tinyurl.com/NASC2018hie link] or by calling (716) 854-5500 and mentioning group code NSP.

=== Hotel and Event Parking ===

The Hyatt Regency offers valet parking at standard hotel rates (currently $25/day). Hotel guests may also make use of the self parking lots in the vicinity of the hotel.

There are a number of self parking lots available to both hotel guests and commuters to the tournament. For a map of available lots, [http://www.buffaloconvention.com/files/documents/BNCC_parking_map.pdf click here].

Daily parking rates at self parking lots vary. Based on the best available information, rates begin at $4 per day. To search for parking rates, visit [http://www.bestparking.com/buffalo-parking/ BestParking.com] and perform an address search using "153 Franklin Street" for the address.

=== Dining ===

Buffalo offers hundreds of restaurant options, with something to suit every taste. Explore the area's eateries at the [https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/eat-drink/ Eat & Drink in Buffalo page] provided by www.visitbuffaloniagara.com.

=== Sightseeing ===

[http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t422&m=8&y=2018 The Buffalo Bisons] minor league baseball team has home games vs. Gwinnett on August 7, 8 and 9.

[http://www.babevillebuffalo.com/events/matt-graham-this-too-shall-suck-2/ Matt Graham] will be doing a 1-man show at the [http://www.babevillebuffalo.com/venues/the-9th-ward/ 9th Ward] on August 6th.

[http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/ Visit Buffalo Niagara] shows the many things to do around town.

[http://www.martinhouse.org/home.cfm Martin House] designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is open for tours.

[http://www.senecaniagaracasino.com/ Seneca Niagara Casino]

[http://shakespeareindelawarepark.org/ Shakespeare in Delaware Park]

[http://www.the-fairgrounds.com/ The Erie County Fair] runs August 9-20.

[http://www.spiritofbuffalo.com/ The Spirit of Buffalo]

[http://templetonlanding.com/templetonlanding/default.aspx Templeton Landing] offers Buffalo Brew Wednesdays, from 6-10 p.m. Sample local brewers, and enjoy local specials.

[https://www.anchorbar.com/ Anchor Bar] is the home of the Buffalo wing.

[http://www.lucycomedyfest.com/ The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival] runs August 1-5.

[http://buffalohistorytours.com/brewery-tours The VIP Brewery Tour] is offered on Thursdays at the Hotel Lafayette.

[http://www.heliumcomedy.com/buffalo/ Helium Comedy Club]

[http://www.fallsstreet.com/ Old Falls Street] features classic rock and dance bands on Friday nights from 7-10 p.m.

[https://buffalozoo.org/ Buffalo Zoo]

[https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/travel/what-to-do-in-buffalo-ny.html The New York Times] offers suggestions on how to spend 36 hours in Buffalo.

=== Roommate Wanted ===

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Roommate Request Form]] and your request will be updated here.

IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

'''Ezekiel "Zee" Markwei''' is attending with a female friend and is seeking two others to share a quad occupancy room. You can reach Zee by email at ezekiel.markwei@gmail.com.

'''Joel Sherman''' seeks a male, non-smoker to share a room. Please email Joel at GIJoel999@aol.com.

'''Judy Romann''' seeks 1 or 2 female, non-smoking roommates at the Embassy Suites from 8/3-8/8. She has a room booked. The hotel is located 3 blocks from the Hyatt and includes a full breakfast with the room. She can be reached by email (jkrpcm@yahoo.com) or phone (510-719-1175).

'''Sharon Dalgliesh''' seeks a female, non-snoring roommate at the Hyatt Regency from 8/3-8/8. She has a room booked. She can be reached at sdalgliesh@rogers.com.

'''Ryan Fischer''' seeks a male, non-smoking roommate at the Holiday Inn Express from 8/3 to 8/8. He has a room booked. He can be reached at ryan@charlottescrabble.com.

=== Ride Wanted ===

If you need a ride/rider to or from the tournament, and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Ride Request Form]].

IMPORTANT: When you get your ride/rider, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

=== Airport Transport Information ===

The nearest international airports to the tournament site are as follows. Note that airports with IATA codes beginning with Y are on the Canadian side of the international border, and that travel time does not include highly variable border-crossing delays.

{|
!IATA
!Name
!Time
!Distance
|-
|BUF
|'''Buffalo''' Niagara
|00:15
|10 mi
|-
|IAG
|'''Niagara Falls'''
|00:25
|20 mi
|-
|ROC
|Greater '''Rochester'''
|01:10
|70 mi
|-
|YHM
|John C. Munro '''Hamilton'''
|01:15
|120 km
|-
|YYZ
|'''Toronto''' Pearson
|01:30
|150 km
|-
|YKF
|Region of '''Waterloo'''
|01:50
|170 km
|-
|YTZ
|Billy Bishop '''Toronto City'''
|02:00
|160 km
|}

=== Buffalo Airport Shuttle ===

[http://www.buffaloairportshuttle.com/ Website]

== Check-In ==

To play in the first round on Saturday morning, you must check in between 12:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Friday, August 3, 2018, at the NASC registration desk in the Convention Center lobby outside the playing area. You may ask a friend to check in for you by proxy, if you cannot check in in person. If possible, please email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org] to notify us in advance of proxy arrangements. If you check in by proxy, but do not show up to play, then neither you nor your proxy will be permitted to check in by proxy at future events. If you do not check in before the desk closes at 7:00 P.M., you may join the championship in progress as soon as it is convenient for the pairings staff to add you back in; this may not take place before Sunday morning. No refund will be issued to latecomers.

When you check in, you will be given an announcement sheet. This is to reduce the number of announcements that have to be made on Saturday morning, so that the event can get underway quickly. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the announcements and tournament schedule.

== Local Club Meetings ==

Players arriving early may wish to play warmup games at local [[Club Roster|clubs]]:

=== Wednesday: Toronto, ON ===

The [http://torontoscrabbleclub.com/ Toronto SCRABBLE Club] meets regularly at 4169 Bathurst Street, south of Sheppard Avenue West. See the club website for more information and directions; out-of-town visitors play for free.

=== Thursday: Buffalo, NY ===

The [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/Club_roster#NEW_YORK Buffalo SCRABBLE Club (No.456)] meets on Thursday evenings.

=== Thursday: Mississauga, ON ===

The [http://mississaugascrabble.com/ Mississauga SCRABBLE Club] meets on Thursday evenings at 7:30 P.M.

== Schedule ==

This '''schedule for the [[2018 North American SCRABBLE Championship]]''' may be modified to add new events, or possibly to change room locations. Also, until about a month before the event, it should be considered an early draft, with only the times for registration and the main event to be set in stone. Once the event begins,
please check this schedule for changes at the beginning of each day.

For those arriving early in the region, see also the preceding section on [[2018 North American SCRABBLE Championship#Local Club Meetings|local club meetings]]. Those looking for something to do between the NASC and the immediately following tournament in Niagara Falls, ON may wish to sign up for a [https://www.facebook.com/events/178039432848510 half-marathon].

Unless otherwise indicated, all events take place at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center at 153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202.

=== Thursday, August 2, 2018 ===
; 9:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Setup (North Exhibit Floor and Lobby, advance staff only)

=== Friday, August 3, 2018 ===
; 12:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Registration (Lobby)
; 12:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Room 106AD)
; 12:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.
: [[2018 NASC Early Bird|Early bird tournament]], restricted to NASC Staff and other NASPA directors (North Exhibit Floor)
; 4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.
: Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Boardroom)

=== Saturday, August 4, 2018 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements; Group Photos - School SCRABBLE Players (North Exhibit Floor)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 1–4 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Social Media Committee]], [[Tournament Committee]] lunch meetings (Room 109)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (North Exhibit Floor)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 5–7 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 6:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Advisory Board Dinner Meeting (TBA)
; 8:00 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
: [[2018 NASC Trivia Contest|Trivia Contest]] (Room 106BC)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Room 106AD)

=== Sunday, August 5, 2018 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:50 A.M.
: Group Photos - Past NASC Champions/Division Winners (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (North Exhibit Floor)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 8–11 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Canadian Committee]] and [[Club/Director Committee]] lunch meetings (Room 109)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (North Exhibit Floor)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 12–14 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:30 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: Evening Musicale (Room 106BC)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Room 106AD)

=== Monday, August 6, 2018 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:45 A.M.
: Group Photo - NASC Staff (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:50 A.M.
: Group Photo - New Yorkers (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:05 A.M.
: Announcements (North Exhibit Floor)
; 9:05 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 15–18 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Forward Energy Committee]] lunch meeting (Room 109)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (North Exhibit Floor)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 19–21 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Town Hall meeting (Room 106BC)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Room 106AD)

=== Tuesday, August 7, 2018 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:50 A.M.
: Group Photo - International Players (North Exhibit Floor)
; 9:05 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 22–25 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Rules Committee]] lunch meeting (Room 109)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (North Exhibit Floor)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 26–28 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:00 P.M.–9:30 P.M.
: [[2018 NASC Director Meeting|Director meeting]] (Room 106BC)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Room 106AD)

=== Wednesday, August 8, 2018 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Set up for play (North Exhibit Floor)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:05 A.M.
: Announcements (North Exhibit Floor)
; 9:05 A.M.–12:30 P.M.
: Rounds 29–31 (North Exhibit Floor)
; 1:30 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: Prize Ceremony (Ballroom)
; 3:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Tear Down (North Exhibit Floor)

== The Rose Award ==

Bob and Andi Schoenman, creators of Protiles, honor Rose Kreiswirth's memory. Rose was an expert Scrabble® player for over 30 years and cherished the game for its educational values. An accomplished player, Rose was as well known for her sense of fairness and her congeniality as she was for her competitiveness. The [[Rose Award]] will be awarded each year at the National SCRABBLE Championship to a female player who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the fierce competitiveness and compassion that we remember Rose for. Thank you, Bob and Andi Schoenman!

== Other Donors ==

If you are interested in donating prizes to events
at the championship, please email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

== Sponsors ==

For information about sponsorship opportunities at
the championship, please contact [[Chris Cree]].

== Prizes ==

Full details about cash prizes, and anticipated merchandise prizes, will be posted on the [[2018 National SCRABBLE Championship prizes|prize table]] once they are available.

== Format ==

The NASC will be paired using [[tsh]] along the lines of past events, including Gibsonization on spread.
After an initial phase of fixed pairings based on pre-event ratings,
the top contenders are paired with each other, and everyone else is paired Swiss.
These two groups, contenders and noncontenders, are paired with minimal repeats. For example,
if there is no way to pair the contenders without at least one repeat, then they will be paired
with one repeat.

The maximum number of contenders is 12 in Rounds 1-28, 8 in Round 29, 4 in Round 30 and 2 in Round 31.
The contenders are further divided into a subgroup of leaders and non-leaders, if this can be done without
increasing the number of required repeats while maintaining at least four players among the leaders.
Leaders are paired by repeatedly having the top unpaired player play the lowest-ranked player that can
catch up to them. Non-leaders are paired Swiss.

For further information about this pairing system, please refer to the section on ''Chew pairings'' in the
[http://tsh.poslfit.com/doc/pairing.html#chew tsh documentation].

== Staff ==

; '''Organizer'''
: [[Chris Cree]]
; '''Director'''
: [[Arthur Moore]]
; '''Assistant to the Director'''
: [[Diane Moore]]
; '''Master of Ceremonies'''
: [[Rich Baker]]
:
; '''Division Leaders'''
: Division 1: [[John Robertson|John Robertson]]
: Division 2: [[Bryan Pepper|Bryan Pepper]]
: Division 3: [[Daniel Stock|Dan Stock]]
: Division 4: [[Kieran OConnor|Kieran O'Connor]]
: Collins: [[Jason Idalski|Jason Idalski]]
:
; '''Division Assistants'''
: [[Joyce Stock]]
: [[Sue Tremblay]]
: [[Jim Pate]]
:
;'''Webmaster'''
: [[John Chew]]
:
; '''Data Entry'''
: [[Vince Castellano]]
: [[Katherine Bernardina|Kate Bernardina]]
: [[Kristen Chew]]
:
:
; '''Annotators'''
: [[Lisa Kessler]]
: [[Kate Watson]]
: [[Pete Zeigler]]
: [[Jeffrey Nelson]]
:
:
; '''Social Media Coordinator'''
: [[Josh Greenway]]
:
:
; '''Internet Photographer'''
: [[Patty Hocker]]
:
;'''Live Stream Commentary'''
:[[Robin Pollock Daniel]]
:[[Conrad Bassett-Bouchard]]
:
;'''Live Stream Coordinator'''
:Rashad Miller
:

== Volunteers ==

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing area, man the registration desk and to help pack and clean after the event. Volunteers receive a free NASC T-shirt. Lunch is provided for those who assist with clean up on Wednesday.
To sign up, please complete the [https://scrabble.formstack.com/forms/2018nascvolunteer 2018 NASC Volunteer Form]

=== Thursday, August 2 ===

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.
* Caroline Polak Scowcroft
*
*
*
*
*

=== Friday, August 3 ===

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.
* Caroline Polak Scowcroft
*
*
*
*
*

=== Registration Desk Friday, August 3 ===

Volunteers are needed to help with registration and check-in.

11:30 P.M.-1:30 P.M.
* Mike Gincel
* Susan Lichtblau
*
*
1:30 P.M - 3:30 P.M.
* Susan Lichtblau
* Michael Johnson
* Scott Appel
* Caroline Polak Scowcroft
3:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
* Susan Lichtblau
* Margo Kuno
* Judy Cole
* Caroline Polak Scowcroft
5:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M.
* Ricky Sirois
* Verna Berg
*
*

=== Clean and Pack ===

We need about 15 '''Clean and Pack''' volunteers to help collect and box NASPA tournament supplies to be shipped back to the storage facility after the awards ceremony on Wed., August 8, 2018.

* Caroline Polak Scowcroft
* Dallas Johnson
* Doug Szymkowiak
* Kristy Zurbrick
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

== Further Information ==

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer.
If you have urgent questions about the event, please
email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship

2017-06-06T14:40:55Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Hotel/Travel Information */

[[Image:2017-NOLA.png|right|200px|NASC 2017 t-shirt]]
'''<font color="green">REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. ONLY MINOR CHANGES TO THIS PAGE WILL BE MADE.</font color>'''

[http://event.scrabbleplayers.org/2017/nasc/build/index.html Live Event Coverage] will be available throughout the event.

The '''2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship''' will take place on July 22-26, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113. This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available.

== Live Event Coverage ==

[http://event.scrabbleplayers.org/2017/nasc/build/index.html Live Event Coverage] will be available throughout the event.

== Registration ==

[http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/register.pl Registration] for the 2017 North American Scrabble Championship is now open.

A link to a list of [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/reglist.pl registered players] is updated automatically with each new registration.

=== Eligibility ===

To play in the NASC, you must (1) be a NASPA [[membership|member]], and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned SCRABBLE tournament to earn an official tournament [[rating]].
If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere it may be a [[WESPA]] rating or other comparable national rating.

==== TWL Divisions====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the Official Club and Tournament Word List 2016 (TWL), you may do so. Four TWL divisions will be offered, divided by Qualification Rating (QR), with unlimited play-up available. If your QR is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your QR is in the range 1400–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your QR is in the range 1100–1399, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3. If your QR is below 1100, you may play in any of the four divisions.

Your QR consists of the highest tournament rating attained at the end of any NASPA TWL-rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) which finished during the period from August 6, 2016 to July 12, 2017 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is your unchanged current rating.

Player division assignments will be reviewed after July 12, 2017 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your QR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

==== Collins Divisions ====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and prefer to play using the international Collins (CSW) lexicon, you may do so. If your Collins Qualification Rating (CQR) is 1500 or higher, you must play in Division 1. If it is 1499 or below, you may play in Division 1 or 2. Players who only have a WESPA rating will be permitted to play in Division 1 or 2 if that rating is 1399 or below. If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of July 5, 2017, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division.

Your CQR is the highest Collins tournament rating attained at the end of a NASPA CSW-rated tournament which finished during the period from August 6, 2016 to July 12, 2017 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you had a NASPA CSW rating prior to this period, but did not play during the period, your qualifying rating is that unchanged rating. If you do not have a NASPA CSW rating, but have a NASPA TWL rating, your CQR is your TWL QR. The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated.

If there will be two divisions, player division assignments will be reviewed after July 12, 2017 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your CQR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

=== Information for International Players ===

If you are thinking about travelling from overseas to play in this event for the first time, please read our [[2017 NASC for Overseas Visitors]] page.

Again this year, there will again be one or two separate divisions of players using the [[Collins]] lexicon at the North American Scrabble Championship.

Players must have a NASPA, WESPA or other equivalent rating deemed acceptable by the Championship Committee prior to competing. Those players with only a WESPA rating will be allowed to compete in CSW2 division if that rating is 1399 or below. For participants with both NASPA and WESPA ratings, the NASPA rating will be used to determine eligibility for CSW2.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated. Please see full information about the division in the section above.

=== Entry Fees ===

The base entry fee for all divisions is $160.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after July 22, 2017, may pay $50 to play in any division.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2017. For example, a non-youth player signing up on June 1, 2017 would pay $210, while a youth would pay $100.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 12, 2017 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 13, 2017 would pay $285, while a youth would pay $175. Acceptance of registrants after July 12, 2017 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Players not staying at the host hotel for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum). The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the New Orleans area. Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the event must pay the full commuter fee, and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

=== Division Changes ===

To change divisions after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].
Division changes are subject to the following conditions:

* After registration closes on July 12, 2017, if your division change would increase the number of players who may potentially have to have byes (if you would make two divisions odd, or would make a smaller division odd), you will be waitlisted until this is not the case.

* If your rating rises above the limit for the division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.

=== Refunds ===

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to your membership address as shown in your member profile.

No refunds will be issued after the refund deadlines described below.

All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $15.

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2017.

=== Conditions ===

==== Rules, Code and Terms/Conditions ====
By registering for the NASC, you agree to abide by the NASPA Tournament [[Rules]] and [[Code of Conduct]], and agree to comply with the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship Terms and Conditions]].
In particular, some games at this tournament, probably the highest Division 1 TWL and Collins board without a Gibsonized player, will be annotated live, and may be live streamed.
If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation, you will forfeit it, and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

==== Minor Release ====
A [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/a/a2/2017_Minor_Release_and_Consent_Form.pdf Minor Release and Consent Form] will be required for all players under age 18 as of July 22, 2017, and may be downloaded and submitted in advance, or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

==== Player Bulletin ====
Please read our
[[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]], and check
it again for last-minute updates before you travel to the event.

==== Equipment Required ====
Participants in the 2017 North American Scrabble Championship are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

==== Changes ====
The [[Championship Committee]] reserves the right to modify the above to account for unforeseen special circumstances.

== Format ==

The Format for the 2017 NASC will be 31 rounds of Championship Pairings, without any playoff rounds.

The NASC will be paired using tsh along the lines of 2014 and prior events, including Gibsonization on spread. After an initial phase of fixed pairings based on pre-event ratings, the top contenders are paired with each other, and everyone else is paired Swiss. These two groups, contenders and noncontenders, are paired with minimal repeats. For example, if there is no way to pair the contenders without at least one repeat, then they will be paired with one repeat.

The maximum number of contenders is typically 12 in Rounds 4-28, 8 in Round 29, 4 in Round 30 and 2 in Round 31. The contenders are further divided into a subgroup of leaders and non-leaders, if this can be done without increasing the number of required repeats while maintaining at least four players among the leaders. Leaders are paired by repeatedly having the top unpaired player play the lowest-ranked player that can catch up to them. Non-leaders are paired Swiss.

For further information about this pairing system, please refer to the section on Chew pairings in the tsh documentation.

== Hotel/Travel Information ==

=== Hotel Registration ===

<font color="red">'''At this time, the host hotel is sold out of rooms during the tournament dates. The Championship Committee will maintain a waiting list of players who wish to book a room at the host hotel, should rooms become available. To be added to the waiting list, please complete the [[NASC Hotel Room Waiting List]] form. As rooms are made available, they will be allocated to those on the waiting list on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you must act quickly when a room is made available to you, to avoid losing your position.'''

'''You can [https://www.formstack.com/admin/submission/report/6324786?share=KvRTbqeMum View the Waiting List], which is updated as submissions are added.'''</font>

The official event hotel is the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113. The room rate is $149/night (plus taxes) for single or double occupancy. Triple occupancy rate is $174/night and quadruple occupancy is $199/night. All rooms include complimentary wireless internet.
'''Rates valid on reservations booked by June 21, 2017.''' Rooms booked after this date are subject to availability and at prevailing rates.

Reservations can be made online [https://aws.passkey.com/go/2017natlscrabblechampionship here] or by calling The Hyatt Regency at (504) 561-1234 and providing the group code '''NASC'''.

No commuter fee will be charged to those booking rooms at the host hotel using the block code.

Those who live outside of the New Orleans area and do not book a room at a host hotel will pay a $100 facility fee to contribute the cost of the venue space.

=== Hotel and Event Parking ===

The Hyatt Regency New Orleans offers valet parking at $40/day. Many nearby lots and garages in walking distances offer parking at significantly lower rates.

=== Dining ===

Downtown New Orleans boasts a number of different eateries, catering to all tastes and budgets. To view the many restaurant options available in New Orleans, Louisiana, please visit the [http://www.neworleanscvb.com/restaurants/ Restaurants Page] on the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau.

=== Sightseeing ===

There is much to see and do in the New Orleans region. Local attractions and activities can be explored on the [http://www.neworleanscvb.com//things-to-do/ Things to Do Page] of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau.

=== Roommate Wanted ===

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Roommate Request Form]].

IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

'''Scott Jackson''' is seeking a male, non-smoking roommate for Jul 21 - Jul 26. He has not yet booked a room. He can be reached at '''scjackson36@gmail.com'''.

'''Greg Feldkamp''' is seeking a non-smoking roommate for Jul 21 - Jul 26. He has not yet booked a room. He can be reached at '''icecreameater@hotmail.com''' or (216) 470-0549.

=== Ride Wanted ===

If you need a ride/rider to or from the tournament, and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Ride Request Form]].

IMPORTANT: When you get your ride/rider, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

=== Airport Transport Information ===

New Orleans, LA is served by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport For complete airport information, please visit [https://www.flymsy.com/ www.flymsy.com].

=== Airport to Hotel ===

The host hotel offers shuttle service for an additional fee. Contact the Hyatt Regency directly to arrange.

For those arriving before the evening hours, public transportation via the E2 Airport-Downtown Express bus is $2 (cash) per person. The ride is approximately 45 minutes. The last route runs at 6:15pm weekdays. Get off at the last stop (Tulane & Loyola). Head south on Loyola four blocks to arrive at the Hyatt.

Taxi averages $40 from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Uber and Lyft average $20-30.

=== Ground Travel ===

Amtrak and Greyhound stations are co-located at 1001 Loyola Avenue and are a 5 minute walk from the Hyatt Regency.

== Check-In ==

To play in the first round on Saturday morning, you must check in between 12:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Friday, July 21, 2017, at the NASC registration desk (Hyatt Regency Elite Foyer). You may ask a friend to check in for you by proxy, if you cannot check in in person. If possible, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org to notify us in advance of proxy arrangements. If you check in by proxy, but do not show up to play, then neither you nor your proxy will be permitted to check in by proxy at future events. If you do not check in before the desk closes at 7:00 P.M., you may join the championship in progress as soon as it is convenient for the pairings staff to add you back in; this may not take place before Sunday morning. No refund will be issued to latecomers.

When you check in, you will be given an announcement sheet. This is to reduce the number of announcements that have to be made on Saturday morning, so that the event can get underway quickly. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the announcements and tournament schedule.

== Schedule ==

This '''schedule for the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship]]''' may be modified to add new events, or possibly to change room locations. The schedule is considered tentative at this time. Any changes to the schedule moving forward will also be posted to the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]].

=== Friday, July 21, 2017 ===
; 12:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Registration (Elite Foyer)
; 10:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Elite B)
; 12:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.
: [[2017 NASC Early Bird|Early bird tournament]], restricted to NASC Staff and other NASPA directors (Elite A)
; 4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.
: Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Imperial 2)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: [[2017 Opening Reception|Opening Reception]] (8-Block Kitchen and Bar)

=== Saturday, July 22, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - School SCRABBLE/Youth Players (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 1–4 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Canadian Committee]] and [[Technology Committee]] lunch meetings (Elite B)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 5–7 (Elite A)
; 6:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Advisory Board Dinner Meeting (TBD)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 7:45 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
: [[2017 NSC Trivia Contest|Trivia Contest]] (Imperial 5CD)

=== Sunday, July 23, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - Past NSC Champions/Division Winners (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 8–11 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Club/Director Committee]] and [[Rules Committee]] lunch meetings (Elite B)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 12–14 (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 8:30 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: [[Evening Musicale]] (Imperial 5CD)

=== Monday, July 24, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - NASC Staff (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Group Photo - Louisianans (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 15–18 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Forward Energy Committee]], [[Membership Committee]] and [[Tournament Committee]] lunch meetings (Elite B)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 19–21 (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Town Hall meeting (Imperial 5CD)

=== Tuesday, July 25, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - International Players (Elite A)
: Group Photo - Family Members together at NASC (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 22–25 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[International Committee]] and [[Social Media Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 26–28 (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:30 P.M.
: [[2017 NASC Director Meeting|Director meeting]] (Imperial 5CD)

=== Wednesday, July 26, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–12:30 P.M.
: Rounds 29–31 (Elite A)
; 1:30 P.M.–3:00 P.M.
: Prize Ceremony (Imperial 5CD)
; 3:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Tear Down (Elite A)

== The Rose Award ==

Bob and Andi Schoenman, creators of Protiles, honor Rose Kreiswirth's memory. Rose was an expert Scrabble® player for over 30 years and cherished the game for its educational values. An accomplished player, Rose was as well known for her sense of fairness and her congeniality as she was for her competitiveness. '''The [[Rose Award]]''' will be awarded each year at the North American SCRABBLE Championship to a female player who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the fierce competitiveness and compassion that we remember Rose for. Thank you, Bob and Andi Schoenman!

== Other Donors ==

If you are interested in donating prizes to events at the championship, please email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

== Sponsors ==

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the championship, please contact [[Chris Cree]].

== Prizes ==

=== Collins Incentive Prizes at the 2017 Nationals ===

[[Norman Wei]] and two other generous donors have organized and contributed to a prize pool to incentivize lower-rated players to play in [[Collins]] divisions at the 2017 NASC.

Prizes from a pool no less than $1800 will be awarded to the top
four eligible players with the highest spreads (not number of games
won) at the end of 31 games.

The following players are eligibility rules for this special prize pool:

* Any player with a qualification rating for the 2017 NASC, who does not have a qualification rating above 1300.
* Any player from outside of the United States and Canada who has a WESPA rating, but whose WESPA rating has not exceeded 1300 during the 2017 NASC qualification period.

Please note:

* Players who miss games (not including assigned byes) may not win prizes.
* In the event of a tie, prizes will be pooled and divided among the players involved.
* If there are not at least six eligible players playing at least one game on the first day of NASC 2017, these prizes will not be awarded.

Full details about cash and merchandise prizes will be listed on the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship prizes|prize table]].

== Staff ==

; '''Organizer'''
: [[Chris Cree]]
; '''On-Site Executive / Webmaster'''
: [[John Chew]]
; '''Director'''
: [[Arthur Moore]]
; '''Assistant to the Director'''
: Diane Moore
; '''Division Leaders'''
: Division 1: [[John Robertson|John Robertson]]
: Division 2: [[Bryan Pepper]]
: Division 3: [[Daniel Stock|Dan Stock]]
: Division 4: [[Kieran OConnor|Kieran O'Connor]]
: Collins: [[Jason Idalski]]
; '''Division Assistants'''
: Heidi Nemeth
: [[Sue Tremblay]]
: [[Jim Pate]]
; '''Data Entry'''
: Vince Castellano
: Reese Daniel
; '''Annotators'''
: [[Lisa Kessler]]
: [[Kristen Chew]]
: [[Pete Zeigler]]
: [[Jeffrey Nelson]]
; '''Master of Ceremonies'''
: [[Rich Baker]]
; '''Live Stream Commentators'''
: [[Robin Pollock Daniel]]
: Conrad Basset-Bouchard
; '''Photographer'''
: Patty Hocker
; '''Social Media'''
:[[Josh Greenway|Josh Greenway]]

== Other Volunteers ==

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the NASC in any of the capacities listed below, please fill out the [[NASC Volunteer Form]]. All registered volunteers will received a free NASC 2017 T-Shirt.

=== Friday, July 21 ===

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Volunteers are needed to help with registration and check-in.

11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M.
*
*
*
*
1:30 P.M.-3:30 P.M.
*
*
*
3:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
*
*
*
5:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M.
*
*
*
*
*

=== Wednesday, July 26 ===

We need about 15 '''Clean and Pack''' volunteers to help collect and box NASPA tournament supplies to be shipped back to the storage facility after the awards ceremony on Wed., July 26, 2017.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

== Vendors ==

Only vendors of merchandise licensed by Hasbro will be provided with vendor space and permitted to display and/or sell products inside the tournament venue (which includes the playing room, after hours room, meeting rooms, and any other function rooms or prefunction space used by NASPA during the event). Licensed vendors are subject to prior approval by NASPA, at its sole and absolute discretion.

Other vendors who wish to sell products must do so at their own expense from their own rented space (hotel room, meeting room, etc.), subject to any applicable regulations. NASPA accepts no liability or responsibility for such vendors or their activities.

== Further Information ==

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer.
If you have urgent questions about the event, please
email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship

2017-06-06T14:36:56Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Hotel Registration */

[[Image:2017-NOLA.png|right|200px|NASC 2017 t-shirt]]
'''<font color="green">REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. ONLY MINOR CHANGES TO THIS PAGE WILL BE MADE.</font color>'''

[http://event.scrabbleplayers.org/2017/nasc/build/index.html Live Event Coverage] will be available throughout the event.

The '''2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship''' will take place on July 22-26, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113. This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available.

== Live Event Coverage ==

[http://event.scrabbleplayers.org/2017/nasc/build/index.html Live Event Coverage] will be available throughout the event.

== Registration ==

[http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/register.pl Registration] for the 2017 North American Scrabble Championship is now open.

A link to a list of [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/reglist.pl registered players] is updated automatically with each new registration.

=== Eligibility ===

To play in the NASC, you must (1) be a NASPA [[membership|member]], and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned SCRABBLE tournament to earn an official tournament [[rating]].
If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere it may be a [[WESPA]] rating or other comparable national rating.

==== TWL Divisions====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the Official Club and Tournament Word List 2016 (TWL), you may do so. Four TWL divisions will be offered, divided by Qualification Rating (QR), with unlimited play-up available. If your QR is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your QR is in the range 1400–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your QR is in the range 1100–1399, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3. If your QR is below 1100, you may play in any of the four divisions.

Your QR consists of the highest tournament rating attained at the end of any NASPA TWL-rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) which finished during the period from August 6, 2016 to July 12, 2017 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is your unchanged current rating.

Player division assignments will be reviewed after July 12, 2017 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your QR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

==== Collins Divisions ====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and prefer to play using the international Collins (CSW) lexicon, you may do so. If your Collins Qualification Rating (CQR) is 1500 or higher, you must play in Division 1. If it is 1499 or below, you may play in Division 1 or 2. Players who only have a WESPA rating will be permitted to play in Division 1 or 2 if that rating is 1399 or below. If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of July 5, 2017, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division.

Your CQR is the highest Collins tournament rating attained at the end of a NASPA CSW-rated tournament which finished during the period from August 6, 2016 to July 12, 2017 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you had a NASPA CSW rating prior to this period, but did not play during the period, your qualifying rating is that unchanged rating. If you do not have a NASPA CSW rating, but have a NASPA TWL rating, your CQR is your TWL QR. The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated.

If there will be two divisions, player division assignments will be reviewed after July 12, 2017 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your CQR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

=== Information for International Players ===

If you are thinking about travelling from overseas to play in this event for the first time, please read our [[2017 NASC for Overseas Visitors]] page.

Again this year, there will again be one or two separate divisions of players using the [[Collins]] lexicon at the North American Scrabble Championship.

Players must have a NASPA, WESPA or other equivalent rating deemed acceptable by the Championship Committee prior to competing. Those players with only a WESPA rating will be allowed to compete in CSW2 division if that rating is 1399 or below. For participants with both NASPA and WESPA ratings, the NASPA rating will be used to determine eligibility for CSW2.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated. Please see full information about the division in the section above.

=== Entry Fees ===

The base entry fee for all divisions is $160.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after July 22, 2017, may pay $50 to play in any division.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2017. For example, a non-youth player signing up on June 1, 2017 would pay $210, while a youth would pay $100.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 12, 2017 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 13, 2017 would pay $285, while a youth would pay $175. Acceptance of registrants after July 12, 2017 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Players not staying at the host hotel for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum). The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the New Orleans area. Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the event must pay the full commuter fee, and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

=== Division Changes ===

To change divisions after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].
Division changes are subject to the following conditions:

* After registration closes on July 12, 2017, if your division change would increase the number of players who may potentially have to have byes (if you would make two divisions odd, or would make a smaller division odd), you will be waitlisted until this is not the case.

* If your rating rises above the limit for the division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.

=== Refunds ===

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to your membership address as shown in your member profile.

No refunds will be issued after the refund deadlines described below.

All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $15.

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2017.

=== Conditions ===

==== Rules, Code and Terms/Conditions ====
By registering for the NASC, you agree to abide by the NASPA Tournament [[Rules]] and [[Code of Conduct]], and agree to comply with the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship Terms and Conditions]].
In particular, some games at this tournament, probably the highest Division 1 TWL and Collins board without a Gibsonized player, will be annotated live, and may be live streamed.
If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation, you will forfeit it, and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

==== Minor Release ====
A [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/a/a2/2017_Minor_Release_and_Consent_Form.pdf Minor Release and Consent Form] will be required for all players under age 18 as of July 22, 2017, and may be downloaded and submitted in advance, or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

==== Player Bulletin ====
Please read our
[[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]], and check
it again for last-minute updates before you travel to the event.

==== Equipment Required ====
Participants in the 2017 North American Scrabble Championship are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

==== Changes ====
The [[Championship Committee]] reserves the right to modify the above to account for unforeseen special circumstances.

== Format ==

The Format for the 2017 NASC will be 31 rounds of Championship Pairings, without any playoff rounds.

The NASC will be paired using tsh along the lines of 2014 and prior events, including Gibsonization on spread. After an initial phase of fixed pairings based on pre-event ratings, the top contenders are paired with each other, and everyone else is paired Swiss. These two groups, contenders and noncontenders, are paired with minimal repeats. For example, if there is no way to pair the contenders without at least one repeat, then they will be paired with one repeat.

The maximum number of contenders is typically 12 in Rounds 4-28, 8 in Round 29, 4 in Round 30 and 2 in Round 31. The contenders are further divided into a subgroup of leaders and non-leaders, if this can be done without increasing the number of required repeats while maintaining at least four players among the leaders. Leaders are paired by repeatedly having the top unpaired player play the lowest-ranked player that can catch up to them. Non-leaders are paired Swiss.

For further information about this pairing system, please refer to the section on Chew pairings in the tsh documentation.

== Hotel/Travel Information ==

=== Hotel Registration ===

<font color="red">'''At this time, the host hotel is sold out of rooms during the tournament dates. The Championship Committee will maintain a waiting list of players who wish to book a room at the host hotel, should rooms become available. To be added to the waiting list, please complete the [[NASC Hotel Room Waiting List]] form. As rooms are made available, they will be allocated to those on the waiting list on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you must act quickly when a room is made available to you, to avoid losing your position.'''

'''You can [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3R7Bv3V7q7mJ_ZZlP4GBEO5KzJuLlVGUimUfiJhMgg/pub?gid=852959117&single=true&output=pdf View the Waiting List], which is periodically updated. The date and time of the last update is listed near the top of the page.'''</font>

The official event hotel is the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113. The room rate is $149/night (plus taxes) for single or double occupancy. Triple occupancy rate is $174/night and quadruple occupancy is $199/night. All rooms include complimentary wireless internet.
'''Rates valid on reservations booked by June 21, 2017.''' Rooms booked after this date are subject to availability and at prevailing rates.

Reservations can be made online [https://aws.passkey.com/go/2017natlscrabblechampionship here] or by calling The Hyatt Regency at (504) 561-1234 and providing the group code '''NASC'''.

No commuter fee will be charged to those booking rooms at the host hotel using the block code.

Those who live outside of the New Orleans area and do not book a room at a host hotel will pay a $100 facility fee to contribute the cost of the venue space.

=== Hotel and Event Parking ===

The Hyatt Regency New Orleans offers valet parking at $40/day. Many nearby lots and garages in walking distances offer parking at significantly lower rates.

=== Dining ===

Downtown New Orleans boasts a number of different eateries, catering to all tastes and budgets. To view the many restaurant options available in New Orleans, Louisiana, please visit the [http://www.neworleanscvb.com/restaurants/ Restaurants Page] on the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau.

=== Sightseeing ===

There is much to see and do in the New Orleans region. Local attractions and activities can be explored on the [http://www.neworleanscvb.com//things-to-do/ Things to Do Page] of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau.

=== Roommate Wanted ===

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Roommate Request Form]].

IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

'''Scott Jackson''' is seeking a male, non-smoking roommate for Jul 21 - Jul 26. He has not yet booked a room. He can be reached at '''scjackson36@gmail.com'''.

'''Greg Feldkamp''' is seeking a non-smoking roommate for Jul 21 - Jul 26. He has not yet booked a room. He can be reached at '''icecreameater@hotmail.com''' or (216) 470-0549.

=== Ride Wanted ===

If you need a ride/rider to or from the tournament, and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Ride Request Form]].

IMPORTANT: When you get your ride/rider, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

=== Airport Transport Information ===

New Orleans, LA is served by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport For complete airport information, please visit [https://www.flymsy.com/ www.flymsy.com].

=== Airport to Hotel ===

The host hotel offers shuttle service for an additional fee. Contact the Hyatt Regency directly to arrange.

For those arriving before the evening hours, public transportation via the E2 Airport-Downtown Express bus is $2 (cash) per person. The ride is approximately 45 minutes. The last route runs at 6:15pm weekdays. Get off at the last stop (Tulane & Loyola). Head south on Loyola four blocks to arrive at the Hyatt.

Taxi averages $40 from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Uber and Lyft average $20-30.

=== Ground Travel ===

Amtrak and Greyhound stations are co-located at 1001 Loyola Avenue and are a 5 minute walk from the Hyatt Regency.

== Check-In ==

To play in the first round on Saturday morning, you must check in between 12:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Friday, July 21, 2017, at the NASC registration desk (Hyatt Regency Elite Foyer). You may ask a friend to check in for you by proxy, if you cannot check in in person. If possible, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org to notify us in advance of proxy arrangements. If you check in by proxy, but do not show up to play, then neither you nor your proxy will be permitted to check in by proxy at future events. If you do not check in before the desk closes at 7:00 P.M., you may join the championship in progress as soon as it is convenient for the pairings staff to add you back in; this may not take place before Sunday morning. No refund will be issued to latecomers.

When you check in, you will be given an announcement sheet. This is to reduce the number of announcements that have to be made on Saturday morning, so that the event can get underway quickly. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the announcements and tournament schedule.

== Schedule ==

This '''schedule for the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship]]''' may be modified to add new events, or possibly to change room locations. The schedule is considered tentative at this time. Any changes to the schedule moving forward will also be posted to the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]].

=== Friday, July 21, 2017 ===
; 12:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Registration (Elite Foyer)
; 10:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Elite B)
; 12:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.
: [[2017 NASC Early Bird|Early bird tournament]], restricted to NASC Staff and other NASPA directors (Elite A)
; 4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.
: Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Imperial 2)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: [[2017 Opening Reception|Opening Reception]] (8-Block Kitchen and Bar)

=== Saturday, July 22, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - School SCRABBLE/Youth Players (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 1–4 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Canadian Committee]] and [[Technology Committee]] lunch meetings (Elite B)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 5–7 (Elite A)
; 6:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Advisory Board Dinner Meeting (TBD)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 7:45 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
: [[2017 NSC Trivia Contest|Trivia Contest]] (Imperial 5CD)

=== Sunday, July 23, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - Past NSC Champions/Division Winners (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 8–11 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Club/Director Committee]] and [[Rules Committee]] lunch meetings (Elite B)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 12–14 (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 8:30 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: [[Evening Musicale]] (Imperial 5CD)

=== Monday, July 24, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - NASC Staff (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Group Photo - Louisianans (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 15–18 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Forward Energy Committee]], [[Membership Committee]] and [[Tournament Committee]] lunch meetings (Elite B)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 19–21 (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Town Hall meeting (Imperial 5CD)

=== Tuesday, July 25, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - International Players (Elite A)
: Group Photo - Family Members together at NASC (Elite A)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 22–25 (Elite A)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[International Committee]] and [[Social Media Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 26–28 (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Imperial 5AB)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:30 P.M.
: [[2017 NASC Director Meeting|Director meeting]] (Imperial 5CD)

=== Wednesday, July 26, 2017 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (Elite A)
; 8:50 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (Elite A)
; 9:00 A.M.–12:30 P.M.
: Rounds 29–31 (Elite A)
; 1:30 P.M.–3:00 P.M.
: Prize Ceremony (Imperial 5CD)
; 3:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Tear Down (Elite A)

== The Rose Award ==

Bob and Andi Schoenman, creators of Protiles, honor Rose Kreiswirth's memory. Rose was an expert Scrabble® player for over 30 years and cherished the game for its educational values. An accomplished player, Rose was as well known for her sense of fairness and her congeniality as she was for her competitiveness. '''The [[Rose Award]]''' will be awarded each year at the North American SCRABBLE Championship to a female player who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the fierce competitiveness and compassion that we remember Rose for. Thank you, Bob and Andi Schoenman!

== Other Donors ==

If you are interested in donating prizes to events at the championship, please email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

== Sponsors ==

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the championship, please contact [[Chris Cree]].

== Prizes ==

=== Collins Incentive Prizes at the 2017 Nationals ===

[[Norman Wei]] and two other generous donors have organized and contributed to a prize pool to incentivize lower-rated players to play in [[Collins]] divisions at the 2017 NASC.

Prizes from a pool no less than $1800 will be awarded to the top
four eligible players with the highest spreads (not number of games
won) at the end of 31 games.

The following players are eligibility rules for this special prize pool:

* Any player with a qualification rating for the 2017 NASC, who does not have a qualification rating above 1300.
* Any player from outside of the United States and Canada who has a WESPA rating, but whose WESPA rating has not exceeded 1300 during the 2017 NASC qualification period.

Please note:

* Players who miss games (not including assigned byes) may not win prizes.
* In the event of a tie, prizes will be pooled and divided among the players involved.
* If there are not at least six eligible players playing at least one game on the first day of NASC 2017, these prizes will not be awarded.

Full details about cash and merchandise prizes will be listed on the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship prizes|prize table]].

== Staff ==

; '''Organizer'''
: [[Chris Cree]]
; '''On-Site Executive / Webmaster'''
: [[John Chew]]
; '''Director'''
: [[Arthur Moore]]
; '''Assistant to the Director'''
: Diane Moore
; '''Division Leaders'''
: Division 1: [[John Robertson|John Robertson]]
: Division 2: [[Bryan Pepper]]
: Division 3: [[Daniel Stock|Dan Stock]]
: Division 4: [[Kieran OConnor|Kieran O'Connor]]
: Collins: [[Jason Idalski]]
; '''Division Assistants'''
: Heidi Nemeth
: [[Sue Tremblay]]
: [[Jim Pate]]
; '''Data Entry'''
: Vince Castellano
: Reese Daniel
; '''Annotators'''
: [[Lisa Kessler]]
: [[Kristen Chew]]
: [[Pete Zeigler]]
: [[Jeffrey Nelson]]
; '''Master of Ceremonies'''
: [[Rich Baker]]
; '''Live Stream Commentators'''
: [[Robin Pollock Daniel]]
: Conrad Basset-Bouchard
; '''Photographer'''
: Patty Hocker
; '''Social Media'''
:[[Josh Greenway|Josh Greenway]]

== Other Volunteers ==

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the NASC in any of the capacities listed below, please fill out the [[NASC Volunteer Form]]. All registered volunteers will received a free NASC 2017 T-Shirt.

=== Friday, July 21 ===

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Volunteers are needed to help with registration and check-in.

11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M.
*
*
*
*
1:30 P.M.-3:30 P.M.
*
*
*
3:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
*
*
*
5:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M.
*
*
*
*
*

=== Wednesday, July 26 ===

We need about 15 '''Clean and Pack''' volunteers to help collect and box NASPA tournament supplies to be shipped back to the storage facility after the awards ceremony on Wed., July 26, 2017.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

== Vendors ==

Only vendors of merchandise licensed by Hasbro will be provided with vendor space and permitted to display and/or sell products inside the tournament venue (which includes the playing room, after hours room, meeting rooms, and any other function rooms or prefunction space used by NASPA during the event). Licensed vendors are subject to prior approval by NASPA, at its sole and absolute discretion.

Other vendors who wish to sell products must do so at their own expense from their own rented space (hotel room, meeting room, etc.), subject to any applicable regulations. NASPA accepts no liability or responsibility for such vendors or their activities.

== Further Information ==

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer.
If you have urgent questions about the event, please
email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

Welcome to NASPAWiki

2017-05-24T18:33:40Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Top News */

__NOTOC__
<div id="jumbotron">
{|
| class="left"|<h3>2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship</h3>July 22-26, 2017, New Orleans, LA<br>
[http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2017_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship READ MORE]
[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/register.pl REGISTER TO COMPETE]
[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/reglist.pl SEE WHO'S REGISTERED]
|[[File:Frenchquarter-sm.jpg|link=2017_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship]]

|}
</div>

<div id="current-topics">
== Current Topics ==
<div class="topic">
[[File:NSC-2017-02-144px.png|176px|link={{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/register.pl]]
<h3>2017 North American SCRABBLE Championships</h3>
[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/register.pl Registration] is now open!
</div>

<div class="topic">
[[File:Fort-wayne-t-shirt.jpg|176px|link=http://blog.scrabbleplayers.org/wordpress/]]
<h3>2016 North American SCRABBLE Championships Blog</h3>
[http://blog.scrabbleplayers.org/wordpress/ NASC news and player profiles]
</div>


<div class="topic">
[[File:NASSC2016winners-small.jpg|176px|link=2016 North American School SCRABBLE Championship]]
<h3>2016 NASSC</h3>
[http://event.scrabbleplayers.org/2016/nassc/build/ 2016 North American School SCRABBLE Championship results.]
</div>
<div class="topic">
[[File:NASPA-Zyzzyva.png|176px|link=Zyzzyva]]
<h3>NASPA Zyzzyva 3.1.0</h3>
[http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/Zyzzyva NASPA Zyzzyva 3.1.0 is now available for OS X, Linux and Windows.]
</div>

</div>

<br>
<br>

<div id="top-news">
<div class="join">[[Membership|Join or Renew Membership]]</div>
<div class="join">[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/shop.pl NASPA Store: Exclusive Gear!]]</div>

== Top News ==
<div class="news">
<h3 class="date">May 24, 2017</h3>
NASPA's [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/a/ae/2016_Form_990.pdf 2016 Form 990] is now available online for review.
<h3 class="date">May 4, 2017</h3> Nominations for the [[2017 Advisory Board Elections]] are open.
<h3 class="date">May 4, 2017</h3> Early registration for the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship]] has been extended through May 31, 2017.
<h3 class="date">February 27, 2017</h3> [[Rules]] errata have been posted.

Welcome to NASPAWiki

2017-05-24T18:33:19Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Top News */

__NOTOC__
<div id="jumbotron">
{|
| class="left"|<h3>2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship</h3>July 22-26, 2017, New Orleans, LA<br>
[http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2017_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship READ MORE]
[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/register.pl REGISTER TO COMPETE]
[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/reglist.pl SEE WHO'S REGISTERED]
|[[File:Frenchquarter-sm.jpg|link=2017_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship]]

|}
</div>

<div id="current-topics">
== Current Topics ==
<div class="topic">
[[File:NSC-2017-02-144px.png|176px|link={{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/register.pl]]
<h3>2017 North American SCRABBLE Championships</h3>
[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/register.pl Registration] is now open!
</div>

<div class="topic">
[[File:Fort-wayne-t-shirt.jpg|176px|link=http://blog.scrabbleplayers.org/wordpress/]]
<h3>2016 North American SCRABBLE Championships Blog</h3>
[http://blog.scrabbleplayers.org/wordpress/ NASC news and player profiles]
</div>


<div class="topic">
[[File:NASSC2016winners-small.jpg|176px|link=2016 North American School SCRABBLE Championship]]
<h3>2016 NASSC</h3>
[http://event.scrabbleplayers.org/2016/nassc/build/ 2016 North American School SCRABBLE Championship results.]
</div>
<div class="topic">
[[File:NASPA-Zyzzyva.png|176px|link=Zyzzyva]]
<h3>NASPA Zyzzyva 3.1.0</h3>
[http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/Zyzzyva NASPA Zyzzyva 3.1.0 is now available for OS X, Linux and Windows.]
</div>

</div>

<br>
<br>

<div id="top-news">
<div class="join">[[Membership|Join or Renew Membership]]</div>
<div class="join">[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/shop.pl NASPA Store: Exclusive Gear!]]</div>

== Top News ==
<div class="news">
<h3 class="date">May 4, 2017</h3> Nominations for the [[2017 Advisory Board Elections]] are open.
<h3 class="date">May 4, 2017</h3> Early registration for the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship]] has been extended through May 31, 2017.
<h3 class="date">February 27, 2017</h3> [[Rules]] errata have been posted.
<h3 class="date">May 24, 2017</h3>
NASPA's [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/a/ae/2016_Form_990.pdf 2016 Form 990] is now available online for review.

Breaking news

2017-05-24T18:32:36Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Current news */

This page contains current and recent '''breaking news''' about [[NASPA]].

See also:
* [[IContact]]: an online archive of NASPA News (originally called Tournament Talk), a weekly newsletter, and other emails sent to the membership.
* [[NASPA Bulletin]]: an online archive of NASPA Bulletins (not currently in publication).
* [[Club news]]
* [[Member news]]
* [[SCRABBLE in the news]] : Links to articles about SCRABBLE players, clubs, and tournaments.
* [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/tourneys/calendar.html Tournament calendar]: upcoming tournaments
* [[Tournament results]]

== Current news ==

=== May 24, 2017 Form 990 is now Available ===
NASPA's [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/a/ae/2016_Form_990.pdf 2016 Form 990] is now available online for review.

=== May 10, 2017 [[Jason Broersma]] appointed [[WESPA]] Treasurer ===
Congratulations to Jason Broersma on his recent appointment as Treasurer of the World English-language Scrabble Players Association.

=== May 4, 2017 [[2017 Advisory Board Elections]] - Nominations open ===

Elections for NASPA's Advisory Board (AB) are approaching. This year three elective seats need to be filled:
* US West
* US South
* At Large
<br/>
Nominations are open through May 31, 2017. To nominate yourself or someone else, contact the Advisory Board at [mailto:naspa-advisoryboard@yahoogroups.com naspa-advisoryboard@yahoogroups.com].

=== May 4, 2017 [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship]] Early Registration extended===
The Early Registration deadline for the 2017 NASC has been extended to May 31st. After May 31st, the registration fee increases by $50.

This extension also applies to the $2000 incentive to be shared by the 1st 20 players with a rating below 1300 to register for the Collins division and to complete the tournament.

=== April 30, 2017 New [[Social Media Committee]] members ===

We welcome [[Shan Abbasi]], [[Jackson Smylie]], [[Heather McCall]] and [[Heidi Robertson]] to the Social Media Committee!

=== March 27, 2017 [[MSA Agreement]] ratified ===

Our reciprocal membership agreement with the [[Malaysian Scrabble Association]] has been ratified.

=== March 16, 2017 [[Social Media Committee]] shuffle ===

We thank [[Jesse Matthews]] for his service as Social Media Committee chair, and [[Judy Cole]] and [[Josh Greenway]] for jointly replacing him; thank you too to [[Marcia Richards]] for her contributions to the committee.

=== February 27, 2017 Rules Errata Published ===
An errata sheet for the [[Rules]], to take effect immediately, has been published.

=== January 25, 2017 NASC 2017 Registration Open ===
[{{SERVER}}/cgi-bin/register.pl Registration] is now open for the [[2017 North American SCRABBLE Championship]].

== Archived news ==

* [[2016 Breaking news archive]]
* [[2015 Breaking news archive]]
* [[2014 Breaking news archive]]
* [[2013 Breaking news archive]]
* [[2012 Breaking news archive]]
* [[2011 Breaking news archive]]
* [[2010 Breaking news archive]]
* [[2009 Breaking news archive]]

Financial reports

2017-05-24T15:35:59Z

Dallasjohnson: /* IRS filings */

This page is a collection of official '''financial reports''' and similar documents concerning [[NASPA]] (officially ''North American Word Game Players Association'').

== IRS filings ==

[[Media:2016_Form_990.pdf|2016 Form 990]]

[[Media:2015_Form_990.pdf|2015 Form 990]]

[[Media:2014_Form_990.pdf|2014 Form 990]]

2016-07-22T01:50:58Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Wednesday, August 10 */

[[Image:Fort-wayne-t-shirt.jpg|right|300px|NASC 2016 t-shirt]]

'''<font color="blue">NOTE: TOURNAMENT DETAILS HAVE BEEN FINALIZED, AND THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE FINAL (subject to potential changes as identified below).</font color>'''

The '''2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship''' will take place on August 6-10, 2016 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802, with the Courtyard Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center and Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center serving as host hotels. This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available.

== Live Event Coverage ==

Live Event Coverage will be available throughout the event. A link will be posted here, once it is available.

== Registration ==

Online registration for the 2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship is now open.

'''[http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/register.pl Click Here to Register Online].'''

A link to a [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/reglist.pl list of registered players] is updated automatically with each new registration.

The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form.

Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 27, 2016, after which players will only be accepted if they do not make a division odd.

=== Eligibility ===

To play in the NASC, you must (1) be a NASPA [[membership|member]], and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned SCRABBLE tournament to earn an official tournament [[rating]].
If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere it may be a [[WESPA]] rating or other comparable national rating.

==== TWL Divisions====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the Official Club and Tournament Word List 2014 (TWL), you may do so. Four TWL divisions will be offered, divided by Qualification Rating (QR), with unlimited play-up available. If your QR is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your QR is in the range 1400–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your QR is in the range 1100–1399, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3. If your QR is below 1100, you may play in any of the four divisions.

Your QR which consists of the highest tournament rating attained at the end of any NASPA TWL-rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) which finished during the period from August 1, 2015 to July 27, 2016 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is your unchanged current rating.

Player division assignments will be reviewed after July 27, 2016 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your QR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

==== Collins Divisions ====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and prefer to play using the international Collins (CSW) lexicon, you may do so. If your Collins Qualification Rating (CQR) is 1500 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If it is 1499 or below, you may play in Division 1 or 2. If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of July 20, 2016, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division.

Your CQR is the highest Collins tournament rating attained at the end of a NASPA CSW-rated tournament which finished during the period from August 1, 2015 to July 27, 2016 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you had a NASPA CSW rating prior to this period, but did not play during the period, your qualifying rating is that unchanged rating. If you do not have a NASPA CSW rating, but have a NASPA TWL rating, your CQR is your TWL QR. The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated.

If there will be two divisions, player division assignments will be reviewed after July 27, 2016 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your CQR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

=== Information for International Players ===

If you are thinking about travelling from overseas to play in this event for the first time, please read our [[2016 NASC for Overseas Visitors]] page.

Again this year, there will again be one or two separate divisions of players using the [[Collins]] lexicon at the North American Scrabble Championship.

If you do not have a tournament rating (NASPA, WESPA, or other equivalent rating deemed acceptable by the Championship Committee), you must first obtain one at a regular tournament before competing in the Championship.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated. Please see full information about the division in the section above.

=== Entry Fees ===

The base entry fee for all divisions is $160.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after August 6, 2016, may pay $50 to play in any division.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2016. For example, a non-youth player signing up on June 1, 2016 would pay $210, while a youth would pay $100.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 27, 2016 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 28, 2016 would pay $285, while a youth would pay $175. Acceptance of registrants after July 27, 2016 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Players not staying at one of the host hotels for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum). '''This fee is expected to be waived (and refunded to those who have paid it), as described below in the Hotel/Travel Information section.''' The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the Fort Wayne area. Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the event must pay the full commuter fee, and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

=== Division Changes ===

To change divisions after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].
Division changes are subject to the following conditions:

* After registration closes on July 27, 2016, if your division change would increase the number of players who may potentially have to have byes (if you would make two divisions odd, or would make a smaller division odd), you will be waitlisted until this is not the case.

* If your rating rises above the limit for the division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.

=== Refunds ===

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to your membership address as shown in your member profile.

No refunds will be issued after the refund deadlines described below.

All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $15.

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 27, 2016.

=== Conditions ===

==== Rules, Code and Terms/Conditions ====
By registering for the NASC, you agree to abide by the NASPA Tournament [[Rules]] and [[Code of Conduct]], and agree to comply with the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship Terms and Conditions]].
In particular, some games at this tournament, probably the highest Division 1 TWL and Collins board without a Gibsonized player, will be annotated live, and may be live streamed.
If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation, you will forfeit it, and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

==== Minor Release ====
A [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/c/c7/2016_Minor_Release_and_Consent_Form.pdf Minor Release and Consent Form] will be required for all players under age 18 as of August 6, 2016, and may be downloaded and submitted in advance, or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

==== Player Bulletin ====
Please read our
[[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]], and check
it again for last-minute updates before you travel to the event.

==== Equipment Required ====
Participants in the 2016 North American Scrabble Championship are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

==== Changes ====
The [[Championship Committee]] reserves the right to modify the above to account for unforeseen special circumstances.

== Format ==

The Format for the 2016 NASC will be 31 rounds of Championship Pairings, without any playoff rounds.

The NASC will be paired using tsh along the lines of 2014 and prior events, including Gibsonization on spread. After an initial phase of fixed pairings based on pre-event ratings, the top contenders are paired with each other, and everyone else is paired Swiss. These two groups, contenders and noncontenders, are paired with minimal repeats. For example, if there is no way to pair the contenders without at least one repeat, then they will be paired with one repeat.

The maximum number of contenders is typically 12 in Rounds 1-28, 8 in Round 29, 4 in Round 30 and 2 in Round 31. The contenders are further divided into a subgroup of leaders and non-leaders, if this can be done without increasing the number of required repeats while maintaining at least four players among the leaders. Leaders are paired by repeatedly having the top unpaired player play the lowest-ranked player that can catch up to them. Non-leaders are paired Swiss.

For further information about this pairing system, please refer to the section on Chew pairings in the tsh documentation.

== Hotel/Travel Information ==

=== Hotel Registration ===

The official event hotels are the Courtyard by Marriott - Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention Center and the Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.

<font color="red">'''The host hotels remain sold out, and it appears that only some of those on the Hotel Waiting List will receive rooms at a host hotel. NASPA has negotiated contracts for a limited number of rooms with a Residence Inn and a Hampton Inn a few miles from the venue. Here are the details:

The Residence Inn is located at 7811 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN. The room rate is $114/night (plus taxes) for either a 1-bedroom suite or studio king suite (room includes living area and kitchen). Breakfast is included in the rate. 2 shuttles daily to the Convention Center in the morning and 2 shuttles back in the evening will be offered (shuttle availability may be limited). To book the Residence Inn, call the hotel directly at 260-432-8000 and ask for the Scrabble Championship group block.

The Hampton Inn is located at 8219 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN. The room rate is $104/night (plus taxes) for either a 1-king or 2-queen bed room. Breakfast is not included. 2 shuttles daily to the Convention Center in the morning and 2 shuttles back in the evening will be offered (shuttle availability may be limited). To book the Hampton, call the hotel directly at 260-459-1999 and ask for the Scrabble Championship group block.

No commuter fee will be charged to those booking rooms at either of the hotels listed above. Additionally, the Championship Committee expects that the commuter fee will be waived for all players (and refunded to those who have paid it).</font>'''

The waiting list for the host hotels (Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott) is closed. As rooms are made available, they will be allocated to those on the waiting list on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you must act quickly when a room is made available to you, to avoid losing your position.

You can [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3R7Bv3V7q7mJ_ZZlP4GBEO5KzJuLlVGUimUfiJhMgg/pub?gid=852959117&single=true&output=pdf View the Waiting List], which is periodically updated. The date and time of the last update is listed near the top of the page.

'''Should our room blocks remain sold out through the date of the NASC, commuter fees will be waived for all players. For that reason, we encourage players to book alternative accommodations.'''

[http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=North%20American%20SCRABBLE%20Players%20Association^fwadt%60SCRSCRB|SCRSCRA%60112.00%60USD%60false%604%608/1/16%608/14/16%607/7/2016&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes The Courtyard by Marriott] is located at 1150 South Harrison Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. Rooms are available at the Courtyard for dates from August 1, 2016 through August 13, 2016 at the group rate of $112/night, single or double occupancy (plus applicable taxes and fees, and subject to availability). The rate includes complimentary wireless internet and complimentary airport shuttle to the Fort Wayne airport (subject to availability, and during applicable hours). Courtyard hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms, and must be booked before July 7, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Courtyard charges a $50 early departure fee to those who modify their reservation after arrival.

[http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=North%20American%20SCRABBLE%20Players%20Association^fwadt%60SCRSCRB|SCRSCRA%60112.00%60USD%60false%604%608/1/16%608/14/16%607/7/2016&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes Click Here to Book the Courtyard by Marriott online] at our group rate (Note: the online site incorrectly lists the parking charge as $8/day. Guests booking in our block will receive the rate of $4/day.) To book by phone, call (866) 704-6163 and reference the group code "SCR" when you book.

[http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/F/FWAFHHF-NAS-20160803/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG The Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center] is located at 1020 S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. Rooms are available at the Hilton for dates from August 1, 2016 through August 13, 2016 at the group rate of $99/night, single or double occupancy (plus applicable taxes and fees, and subject to availability). The rate includes complimentary wireless internet and complimentary airport shuttle to the Fort Wayne airport (subject to availability, and during applicable hours). Hilton hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms, and must be booked before July 5, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

[http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/F/FWAFHHF-NAS-20160803/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Click Here to Book the Hilton online] at our group rate. To book by phone, call (260) 420-1100 and reference the group code "NAS" when you book. You can also book through the Hilton's [http://www.facebook.com/hiltonfortwayneatthegrandwayneconventioncenter Facebook page], using the group code "NAS."

Those who live outside of the Fort Wayne area and do not book a room at a host hotel will pay a $100 facility fee to contribute the cost of the venue space.

=== Hotel and Event Parking ===

The Courtyard by Marriott - Fort Wayne Downtown offers parking at the Harrison Square Parking Garage, 1210 South Harrison Street (adjacent to the hotel), at the discounted rate of $4/day with unlimited in and out privileges for guests of the hotel who book under NASPA's group block.

The Hilton at the Grand Wayne Center offers parking at Civic Garage, 100 E. Washington Blvd. (across the street from the hotel), at the prevailing rate ($7/day as of 1/1/2016) with unlimited in and out privileges for guests of the hotel.

Those not staying at a host hotel can park at either of the above lots at current prevailing rates ($7/day as of 1/1/2016). Please note that these rates DO NOT include in and out privileges for non-hotel guests.

A number of other parking options are also available in the downtown Fort Wayne area. The most affordable nearby lot is located approximately 2 blocks from the venue, at 210 East Washington Boulevard. It is a surface lot offering $3/day parking (as of 1/1/2016) with NO in and out privileges.

More information about parking can be found on the [http://downtownfortwayne.com/parking/ Fort Wayne Downtown Improvement District website].

=== Dining ===

Downtown Fort Wayne boasts a number of different eateries, catering to all tastes and budgets. To view the many restaurant options available in Fort Wayne, Indiana, please visit the [http://www.visitfortwayne.com/restaurants/ Restaurants Page] on the Visit Fort Wayne website.

=== Sightseeing ===

There is much to see and do in the Fort Wayne region. Local attractions and activities can be explored on the [http://www.visitfortwayne.com/things-to-do/ Things to Do Page] of the Visit Fort Wayne website.

=== Roommate Wanted ===

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Roommate Request Form]].

* Chris Schneider is seeking a male or female, non-smoking roommate, staying at the Hilton from August 4 - August 13, 2016. He does not have a room reserved at the Hilton. Contact him at [mailto:cschneider_1970@yahoo.com cschneider_1970@yahoo.com] or 708-435-9084.

* Joey Mallick is seeking a male, non-smoking roommate, staying at either host hotel from August 5 - August 10, 2016. He does not have a room reserved. Contact him at [mailto:jmallick@maine.rr.com jmallick@maine.rr.com] or 207-318-5647.

IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

=== Ride Wanted ===

If you need a ride/rider to or from the tournament, and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Ride Request Form]].

IMPORTANT: When you get your ride/rider, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

=== Airport Transport Information ===

Fort Wayne, Indiana is served by the Fort Wayne International Airport. For complete airport information, please visit [https://www.fwairport.com/ www.fwairport.com].

=== Airport Shuttle ===

Both host hotels offer a complimentary airport shuttle. Shuttle information will be posted here soon.

Many other hotels in the area also offer complimentary shuttle transportation. If you are not staying at the host hotel, please check with your property for shuttle information.

== Check-In ==

To play in the first round on Saturday morning, you must check in between 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Friday, August 5, 2016, at the NASC registration desk (Convention Center - Harrison A-D). You may ask a friend to check in for you by proxy, if you cannot check in in person. If possible, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org to notify us in advance of proxy arrangements. If you check in by proxy, but do not show up to play, then neither you nor your proxy will be permitted to check in by proxy at future events. If you do not check in before the desk closes at 7:00 P.M., you may join the championship in progress as soon as it is convenient for the pairings staff to add you back in; this may not take place before Sunday morning. No refund will be issued to latecomers.

When you check in, you will be given an announcement sheet. This is to reduce the number of announcements that have to be made on Saturday morning, so that the event can get underway quickly. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the announcements and tournament schedule.

== Schedule ==

This '''schedule for the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship]]''' may be modified to add new events, or possibly to change room locations. The schedule is considered substantially final at this time. However, small schedule changes are possible. Any changes to the schedule moving forward will also be posted to the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]].

Nearly all events take place at either the Grand Wayne Convention Center (GWCC) or the Courtyard Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center (Courtyard).

=== Friday, August 5, 2016 ===
; 10:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Registration (GWCC - Harrison A-D)
; 10:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 12:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.
: [[2016 NASC Early Bird|Early bird tournament]], restricted to NASC Staff and other NASPA directors (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.
: Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Courtyard - Lawton)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: [[2016 Opening Reception|Opening Reception]] (Courtyard - Legacy Ballroom)

=== Saturday, August 6, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - School SCRABBLE/Youth Players (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 1–4 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Canadian Committee]] and [[Technology Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 5–7 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 6:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Advisory Board Dinner Meeting (TBD)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 7:45 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
: [[2016 NSC Trivia Contest|Trivia Contest]] (Courtyard - Legacy B/C)

=== Sunday, August 7, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - Past NSC Champions/Division Winners (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 8–11 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Club/Director Committee]] and [[Rules Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 12–14 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 8:30 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: [[Evening Musicale]] (Courtyard - Legacy B/C)

=== Monday, August 8, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - NASC Staff (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Group Photo - Hoosiers (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 15–18 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Membership Committee]] and [[Tournament Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 19–21 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Town Hall meeting (GWCC - Anthony Wayne Ballroom B)

=== Tuesday, August 9, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - International Players (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
: Group Photo - Family Members together at NASC (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 22–25 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[International Committee]] and [[Social Media Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 26–28 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:30 P.M.
: Designer Games Event with John Kaufeld (GWCC - Harrison CD)
; 8:00 P.M.–9:30 P.M.
: [[2016 NASC Director Meeting|Director meeting]] (GWCC - Jefferson A)

=== Wednesday, August 10, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–12:30 P.M.
: Rounds 29–31 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:30 P.M.–3:00 P.M.
: Prize Ceremony (GWCC - Anthony Wayne Ballroom B)
; 3:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Tear Down (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)

== The Rose Award ==

Bob and Andi Schoenman, creators of Protiles, honor Rose Kreiswirth's memory. Rose was an expert Scrabble® player for over 30 years and cherished the game for its educational values. An accomplished player, Rose was as well known for her sense of fairness and her congeniality as she was for her competitiveness. '''The [[Rose Award]]''' will be awarded each year at the North American SCRABBLE Championship to a female player who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the fierce competitiveness and compassion that we remember Rose for. Thank you, Bob and Andi Schoenman!

== Other Donors ==

If you are interested in donating prizes to events at the championship, please email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

== Sponsors ==

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the championship, please contact [[Chris Cree]].

== Prizes ==

Full details about cash and merchandise prizes will be listed on the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship prizes|prize table]].

== Staff ==

; '''Organizer'''
: [[Chris Cree]]
; '''On-Site Executive / Webmaster'''
: [[John Chew]]
; '''Director'''
: [[Dallas Johnson]]
; '''Incoming Director'''
: [[Arthur Moore]]
; '''Assistant to the Director'''
: Sue Grogan-Johnson
; '''Incoming Assistant to the Director'''
: Diane Moore
; '''Master of Ceremonies'''
: [[Alan Stern]]
; '''Member Services'''
: [[Shelley Ubeika]]
; '''Social Media'''
: [[Kate Fukawa-Connelly]]
; '''Division Leaders'''
: Division 1: [[John Robertson]]
: Division 2: [[Bryan Pepper]]
: Division 3: [[Daniel Stock|Dan Stock]]
: Division 4: [[Kieran OConnor|Kieran O'Connor]]
: Collins: [[Jason Idalski]]
; '''Division Assistants'''
: Division 1: John Merlau
: Division 2: [[Kristen Chew]]
: Division 3: Heidi Nemeth
: Division 4: Sue Tremblay
: Collins: [[Jim Pate]]
; '''Data Entry'''
: Division 1: Tim Crotty
: Division 2/3: [[Reese Daniel]]
: Division 4/CSW: Vince Castellano
; '''Internet Reporter'''
: [[Sherrie Saint John]]
; '''Internet Photographer'''
: Patty Hocker
; '''Annotators'''
: [[Kathleen Watson|Kate Watson]] - TWL
: Lisa Kessler - TWL
: Ian Chew - Collins
: Pete Zeigler - Collins
; '''Live Stream Staff'''
: Rashad Miller - Director
: Richard Castle - Videographer
: Robin Pollock Daniel - Commentator
: Jesse Matthews - Commentator

== Other Volunteers ==

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the NASC in any of the capacities listed below, please fill out the [[NASC Volunteer Form]].

=== Thursday, August 3 ===

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.
* Chris Schneider - 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
* Kathleen Long - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*
*
*
*

=== Friday, July 31 ===

Volunteers are needed to help with registration and check-in.

10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Joyce Stock
* Lisa Kessler (must leave in time for early bird tourney)
12:30 P.M.-3:00 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Kathleen Long
*
3:00 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Judy Cole
*
5:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Kaia
* Troy Thompson

=== Wednesday, August 10 ===

We need about 15 '''Clean and Pack''' volunteers to help collect and box NASPA tournament supplies to be shipped back to the storage facility after the awards ceremony on Wed., August 10, 2016.

* Joyce Stock
* Cecilia Huber
* Kathleen Long
* Mark Garrod
* Barbara Hildenbrand
* Doug Szymkowiak
* Kristy Zurbrick
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

== Vendors ==

Only vendors of merchandise licensed by Hasbro will be provided with vendor space and permitted to display and/or sell products inside the tournament venue (which includes the playing room, after hours room, meeting rooms, and any other function rooms or prefunction space used by NASPA during the event). Licensed vendors are subject to prior approval by NASPA, at its sole and absolute discretion.

Other vendors who wish to sell products must do so at their own expense from their own rented space (hotel room, meeting room, etc.), subject to any applicable regulations. NASPA accepts no liability or responsibility for such vendors or their activities.

== Further Information ==

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer.
If you have urgent questions about the event, please
email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship

2016-07-21T18:37:15Z

Dallasjohnson: /* Schedule */

[[Image:Fort-wayne-t-shirt.jpg|right|300px|NASC 2016 t-shirt]]

'''<font color="blue">NOTE: TOURNAMENT DETAILS HAVE BEEN FINALIZED, AND THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE FINAL (subject to potential changes as identified below).</font color>'''

The '''2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship''' will take place on August 6-10, 2016 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802, with the Courtyard Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center and Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center serving as host hotels. This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available.

== Live Event Coverage ==

Live Event Coverage will be available throughout the event. A link will be posted here, once it is available.

== Registration ==

Online registration for the 2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship is now open.

'''[http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/register.pl Click Here to Register Online].'''

A link to a [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/reglist.pl list of registered players] is updated automatically with each new registration.

The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form.

Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 27, 2016, after which players will only be accepted if they do not make a division odd.

=== Eligibility ===

To play in the NASC, you must (1) be a NASPA [[membership|member]], and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned SCRABBLE tournament to earn an official tournament [[rating]].
If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere it may be a [[WESPA]] rating or other comparable national rating.

==== TWL Divisions====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the Official Club and Tournament Word List 2014 (TWL), you may do so. Four TWL divisions will be offered, divided by Qualification Rating (QR), with unlimited play-up available. If your QR is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your QR is in the range 1400–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your QR is in the range 1100–1399, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3. If your QR is below 1100, you may play in any of the four divisions.

Your QR which consists of the highest tournament rating attained at the end of any NASPA TWL-rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) which finished during the period from August 1, 2015 to July 27, 2016 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is your unchanged current rating.

Player division assignments will be reviewed after July 27, 2016 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your QR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

==== Collins Divisions ====

If you meet the eligibility criteria and prefer to play using the international Collins (CSW) lexicon, you may do so. If your Collins Qualification Rating (CQR) is 1500 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If it is 1499 or below, you may play in Division 1 or 2. If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of July 20, 2016, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division.

Your CQR is the highest Collins tournament rating attained at the end of a NASPA CSW-rated tournament which finished during the period from August 1, 2015 to July 27, 2016 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you had a NASPA CSW rating prior to this period, but did not play during the period, your qualifying rating is that unchanged rating. If you do not have a NASPA CSW rating, but have a NASPA TWL rating, your CQR is your TWL QR. The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated.

If there will be two divisions, player division assignments will be reviewed after July 27, 2016 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your CQR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

=== Information for International Players ===

If you are thinking about travelling from overseas to play in this event for the first time, please read our [[2016 NASC for Overseas Visitors]] page.

Again this year, there will again be one or two separate divisions of players using the [[Collins]] lexicon at the North American Scrabble Championship.

If you do not have a tournament rating (NASPA, WESPA, or other equivalent rating deemed acceptable by the Championship Committee), you must first obtain one at a regular tournament before competing in the Championship.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated. Please see full information about the division in the section above.

=== Entry Fees ===

The base entry fee for all divisions is $160.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after August 6, 2016, may pay $50 to play in any division.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2016. For example, a non-youth player signing up on June 1, 2016 would pay $210, while a youth would pay $100.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 27, 2016 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 28, 2016 would pay $285, while a youth would pay $175. Acceptance of registrants after July 27, 2016 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Players not staying at one of the host hotels for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum). '''This fee is expected to be waived (and refunded to those who have paid it), as described below in the Hotel/Travel Information section.''' The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the Fort Wayne area. Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the event must pay the full commuter fee, and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

=== Division Changes ===

To change divisions after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].
Division changes are subject to the following conditions:

* After registration closes on July 27, 2016, if your division change would increase the number of players who may potentially have to have byes (if you would make two divisions odd, or would make a smaller division odd), you will be waitlisted until this is not the case.

* If your rating rises above the limit for the division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.

=== Refunds ===

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to your membership address as shown in your member profile.

No refunds will be issued after the refund deadlines described below.

All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $15.

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 27, 2016.

=== Conditions ===

==== Rules, Code and Terms/Conditions ====
By registering for the NASC, you agree to abide by the NASPA Tournament [[Rules]] and [[Code of Conduct]], and agree to comply with the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship Terms and Conditions]].
In particular, some games at this tournament, probably the highest Division 1 TWL and Collins board without a Gibsonized player, will be annotated live, and may be live streamed.
If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation, you will forfeit it, and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

==== Minor Release ====
A [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/wiki/images/c/c7/2016_Minor_Release_and_Consent_Form.pdf Minor Release and Consent Form] will be required for all players under age 18 as of August 6, 2016, and may be downloaded and submitted in advance, or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

==== Player Bulletin ====
Please read our
[[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]], and check
it again for last-minute updates before you travel to the event.

==== Equipment Required ====
Participants in the 2016 North American Scrabble Championship are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

==== Changes ====
The [[Championship Committee]] reserves the right to modify the above to account for unforeseen special circumstances.

== Format ==

The Format for the 2016 NASC will be 31 rounds of Championship Pairings, without any playoff rounds.

The NASC will be paired using tsh along the lines of 2014 and prior events, including Gibsonization on spread. After an initial phase of fixed pairings based on pre-event ratings, the top contenders are paired with each other, and everyone else is paired Swiss. These two groups, contenders and noncontenders, are paired with minimal repeats. For example, if there is no way to pair the contenders without at least one repeat, then they will be paired with one repeat.

The maximum number of contenders is typically 12 in Rounds 1-28, 8 in Round 29, 4 in Round 30 and 2 in Round 31. The contenders are further divided into a subgroup of leaders and non-leaders, if this can be done without increasing the number of required repeats while maintaining at least four players among the leaders. Leaders are paired by repeatedly having the top unpaired player play the lowest-ranked player that can catch up to them. Non-leaders are paired Swiss.

For further information about this pairing system, please refer to the section on Chew pairings in the tsh documentation.

== Hotel/Travel Information ==

=== Hotel Registration ===

The official event hotels are the Courtyard by Marriott - Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention Center and the Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.

<font color="red">'''The host hotels remain sold out, and it appears that only some of those on the Hotel Waiting List will receive rooms at a host hotel. NASPA has negotiated contracts for a limited number of rooms with a Residence Inn and a Hampton Inn a few miles from the venue. Here are the details:

The Residence Inn is located at 7811 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN. The room rate is $114/night (plus taxes) for either a 1-bedroom suite or studio king suite (room includes living area and kitchen). Breakfast is included in the rate. 2 shuttles daily to the Convention Center in the morning and 2 shuttles back in the evening will be offered (shuttle availability may be limited). To book the Residence Inn, call the hotel directly at 260-432-8000 and ask for the Scrabble Championship group block.

The Hampton Inn is located at 8219 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN. The room rate is $104/night (plus taxes) for either a 1-king or 2-queen bed room. Breakfast is not included. 2 shuttles daily to the Convention Center in the morning and 2 shuttles back in the evening will be offered (shuttle availability may be limited). To book the Hampton, call the hotel directly at 260-459-1999 and ask for the Scrabble Championship group block.

No commuter fee will be charged to those booking rooms at either of the hotels listed above. Additionally, the Championship Committee expects that the commuter fee will be waived for all players (and refunded to those who have paid it).</font>'''

The waiting list for the host hotels (Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott) is closed. As rooms are made available, they will be allocated to those on the waiting list on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you must act quickly when a room is made available to you, to avoid losing your position.

You can [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3R7Bv3V7q7mJ_ZZlP4GBEO5KzJuLlVGUimUfiJhMgg/pub?gid=852959117&single=true&output=pdf View the Waiting List], which is periodically updated. The date and time of the last update is listed near the top of the page.

'''Should our room blocks remain sold out through the date of the NASC, commuter fees will be waived for all players. For that reason, we encourage players to book alternative accommodations.'''

[http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=North%20American%20SCRABBLE%20Players%20Association^fwadt%60SCRSCRB|SCRSCRA%60112.00%60USD%60false%604%608/1/16%608/14/16%607/7/2016&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes The Courtyard by Marriott] is located at 1150 South Harrison Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. Rooms are available at the Courtyard for dates from August 1, 2016 through August 13, 2016 at the group rate of $112/night, single or double occupancy (plus applicable taxes and fees, and subject to availability). The rate includes complimentary wireless internet and complimentary airport shuttle to the Fort Wayne airport (subject to availability, and during applicable hours). Courtyard hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms, and must be booked before July 7, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Courtyard charges a $50 early departure fee to those who modify their reservation after arrival.

[http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=North%20American%20SCRABBLE%20Players%20Association^fwadt%60SCRSCRB|SCRSCRA%60112.00%60USD%60false%604%608/1/16%608/14/16%607/7/2016&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes Click Here to Book the Courtyard by Marriott online] at our group rate (Note: the online site incorrectly lists the parking charge as $8/day. Guests booking in our block will receive the rate of $4/day.) To book by phone, call (866) 704-6163 and reference the group code "SCR" when you book.

[http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/F/FWAFHHF-NAS-20160803/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG The Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center] is located at 1020 S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. Rooms are available at the Hilton for dates from August 1, 2016 through August 13, 2016 at the group rate of $99/night, single or double occupancy (plus applicable taxes and fees, and subject to availability). The rate includes complimentary wireless internet and complimentary airport shuttle to the Fort Wayne airport (subject to availability, and during applicable hours). Hilton hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms, and must be booked before July 5, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

[http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/F/FWAFHHF-NAS-20160803/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Click Here to Book the Hilton online] at our group rate. To book by phone, call (260) 420-1100 and reference the group code "NAS" when you book. You can also book through the Hilton's [http://www.facebook.com/hiltonfortwayneatthegrandwayneconventioncenter Facebook page], using the group code "NAS."

Those who live outside of the Fort Wayne area and do not book a room at a host hotel will pay a $100 facility fee to contribute the cost of the venue space.

=== Hotel and Event Parking ===

The Courtyard by Marriott - Fort Wayne Downtown offers parking at the Harrison Square Parking Garage, 1210 South Harrison Street (adjacent to the hotel), at the discounted rate of $4/day with unlimited in and out privileges for guests of the hotel who book under NASPA's group block.

The Hilton at the Grand Wayne Center offers parking at Civic Garage, 100 E. Washington Blvd. (across the street from the hotel), at the prevailing rate ($7/day as of 1/1/2016) with unlimited in and out privileges for guests of the hotel.

Those not staying at a host hotel can park at either of the above lots at current prevailing rates ($7/day as of 1/1/2016). Please note that these rates DO NOT include in and out privileges for non-hotel guests.

A number of other parking options are also available in the downtown Fort Wayne area. The most affordable nearby lot is located approximately 2 blocks from the venue, at 210 East Washington Boulevard. It is a surface lot offering $3/day parking (as of 1/1/2016) with NO in and out privileges.

More information about parking can be found on the [http://downtownfortwayne.com/parking/ Fort Wayne Downtown Improvement District website].

=== Dining ===

Downtown Fort Wayne boasts a number of different eateries, catering to all tastes and budgets. To view the many restaurant options available in Fort Wayne, Indiana, please visit the [http://www.visitfortwayne.com/restaurants/ Restaurants Page] on the Visit Fort Wayne website.

=== Sightseeing ===

There is much to see and do in the Fort Wayne region. Local attractions and activities can be explored on the [http://www.visitfortwayne.com/things-to-do/ Things to Do Page] of the Visit Fort Wayne website.

=== Roommate Wanted ===

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Roommate Request Form]].

* Chris Schneider is seeking a male or female, non-smoking roommate, staying at the Hilton from August 4 - August 13, 2016. He does not have a room reserved at the Hilton. Contact him at [mailto:cschneider_1970@yahoo.com cschneider_1970@yahoo.com] or 708-435-9084.

* Joey Mallick is seeking a male, non-smoking roommate, staying at either host hotel from August 5 - August 10, 2016. He does not have a room reserved. Contact him at [mailto:jmallick@maine.rr.com jmallick@maine.rr.com] or 207-318-5647.

IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

=== Ride Wanted ===

If you need a ride/rider to or from the tournament, and would like a listing here, please complete the [[NASC Ride Request Form]].

IMPORTANT: When you get your ride/rider, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

=== Airport Transport Information ===

Fort Wayne, Indiana is served by the Fort Wayne International Airport. For complete airport information, please visit [https://www.fwairport.com/ www.fwairport.com].

=== Airport Shuttle ===

Both host hotels offer a complimentary airport shuttle. Shuttle information will be posted here soon.

Many other hotels in the area also offer complimentary shuttle transportation. If you are not staying at the host hotel, please check with your property for shuttle information.

== Check-In ==

To play in the first round on Saturday morning, you must check in between 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Friday, August 5, 2016, at the NASC registration desk (Convention Center - Harrison A-D). You may ask a friend to check in for you by proxy, if you cannot check in in person. If possible, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org to notify us in advance of proxy arrangements. If you check in by proxy, but do not show up to play, then neither you nor your proxy will be permitted to check in by proxy at future events. If you do not check in before the desk closes at 7:00 P.M., you may join the championship in progress as soon as it is convenient for the pairings staff to add you back in; this may not take place before Sunday morning. No refund will be issued to latecomers.

When you check in, you will be given an announcement sheet. This is to reduce the number of announcements that have to be made on Saturday morning, so that the event can get underway quickly. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the announcements and tournament schedule.

== Schedule ==

This '''schedule for the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship]]''' may be modified to add new events, or possibly to change room locations. The schedule is considered substantially final at this time. However, small schedule changes are possible. Any changes to the schedule moving forward will also be posted to the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship Player Bulletin|Player Bulletin]].

Nearly all events take place at either the Grand Wayne Convention Center (GWCC) or the Courtyard Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center (Courtyard).

=== Friday, August 5, 2016 ===
; 10:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Registration (GWCC - Harrison A-D)
; 10:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 12:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.
: [[2016 NASC Early Bird|Early bird tournament]], restricted to NASC Staff and other NASPA directors (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.
: Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Courtyard - Lawton)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: [[2016 Opening Reception|Opening Reception]] (Courtyard - Legacy Ballroom)

=== Saturday, August 6, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - School SCRABBLE/Youth Players (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 1–4 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Canadian Committee]] and [[Technology Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 5–7 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 6:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Advisory Board Dinner Meeting (TBD)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 7:45 P.M.–11:00 P.M.
: [[2016 NSC Trivia Contest|Trivia Contest]] (Courtyard - Legacy B/C)

=== Sunday, August 7, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photos - Past NSC Champions/Division Winners (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 8–11 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Club/Director Committee]] and [[Rules Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 12–14 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 8:30 P.M.–11:30 P.M.
: [[Evening Musicale]] (Courtyard - Legacy B/C)

=== Monday, August 8, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - NASC Staff (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Group Photo - Hoosiers (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–9:10 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 15–18 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[Membership Committee]] and [[Tournament Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 19–21 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
: Town Hall meeting (GWCC - Anthony Wayne Ballroom B)

=== Tuesday, August 9, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.
: Group Photo - International Players (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
: Group Photo - Family Members together at NASC (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–1:15 P.M.
: Rounds 22–25 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
: [[International Committee]] and [[Social Media Committee]] lunch meetings (Courtyard - Legacy Salon A)
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.
: Rounds 26–28 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.
: After hours room open (Courtyard - Foster)
; 7:30 P.M.–10:30 P.M.
: Designer Games Event with John Kaufeld (GWCC - Harrison CD)
; 8:00 P.M.–9:30 P.M.
: [[2016 NASC Director Meeting|Director meeting]] (GWCC - Jefferson A)

=== Wednesday, August 10, 2016 ===
; 8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.
: Set up for play (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 8:50 A.M.–9:00 A.M.
: Announcements (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 9:00 A.M.–12:30 P.M.
: Rounds 29–31 (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)
; 1:30 P.M.–3:00 P.M.
: Prize Ceremony (GWCC - Anthony Wayne Ballroom B)
; 3:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.
: Tear Down (GWCC - Convention Hall AB1)

== The Rose Award ==

Bob and Andi Schoenman, creators of Protiles, honor Rose Kreiswirth's memory. Rose was an expert Scrabble® player for over 30 years and cherished the game for its educational values. An accomplished player, Rose was as well known for her sense of fairness and her congeniality as she was for her competitiveness. '''The [[Rose Award]]''' will be awarded each year at the North American SCRABBLE Championship to a female player who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the fierce competitiveness and compassion that we remember Rose for. Thank you, Bob and Andi Schoenman!

== Other Donors ==

If you are interested in donating prizes to events at the championship, please email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].

== Sponsors ==

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the championship, please contact [[Chris Cree]].

== Prizes ==

Full details about cash and merchandise prizes will be listed on the [[2016 North American SCRABBLE Championship prizes|prize table]].

== Staff ==

; '''Organizer'''
: [[Chris Cree]]
; '''On-Site Executive / Webmaster'''
: [[John Chew]]
; '''Director'''
: [[Dallas Johnson]]
; '''Incoming Director'''
: [[Arthur Moore]]
; '''Assistant to the Director'''
: Sue Grogan-Johnson
; '''Incoming Assistant to the Director'''
: Diane Moore
; '''Master of Ceremonies'''
: [[Alan Stern]]
; '''Member Services'''
: [[Shelley Ubeika]]
; '''Social Media'''
: [[Kate Fukawa-Connelly]]
; '''Division Leaders'''
: Division 1: [[John Robertson]]
: Division 2: [[Bryan Pepper]]
: Division 3: [[Daniel Stock|Dan Stock]]
: Division 4: [[Kieran OConnor|Kieran O'Connor]]
: Collins: [[Jason Idalski]]
; '''Division Assistants'''
: Division 1: John Merlau
: Division 2: [[Kristen Chew]]
: Division 3: Heidi Nemeth
: Division 4: Sue Tremblay
: Collins: [[Jim Pate]]
; '''Data Entry'''
: Division 1: Tim Crotty
: Division 2/3: [[Reese Daniel]]
: Division 4/CSW: Vince Castellano
; '''Internet Reporter'''
: [[Sherrie Saint John]]
; '''Internet Photographer'''
: Patty Hocker
; '''Annotators'''
: [[Kathleen Watson|Kate Watson]] - TWL
: Lisa Kessler - TWL
: Ian Chew - Collins
: Pete Zeigler - Collins
; '''Live Stream Staff'''
: Rashad Miller - Director
: Richard Castle - Videographer
: Robin Pollock Daniel - Commentator
: Jesse Matthews - Commentator

== Other Volunteers ==

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the NASC in any of the capacities listed below, please fill out the [[NASC Volunteer Form]].

=== Thursday, August 3 ===

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.
* Chris Schneider - 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
* Kathleen Long - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*
*
*
*

=== Friday, July 31 ===

Volunteers are needed to help with registration and check-in.

10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Joyce Stock
* Lisa Kessler (must leave in time for early bird tourney)
12:30 P.M.-3:00 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Kathleen Long
*
3:00 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Judy Cole
*
5:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M.
* Mary Jo Germani
* Kaia
* Troy Thompson

=== Wednesday, August 10 ===

We need about 15 '''Clean and Pack''' volunteers to help collect and box NASPA tournament supplies to be shipped back to the storage facility after the awards ceremony on Wed., August 10, 2016.

* Joyce Stock
* Cecilia Huber
* Kathleen Long
* Mark Garrod
* Barbara Hildenbrand
* Doug Szymkowiak
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

== Vendors ==

Only vendors of merchandise licensed by Hasbro will be provided with vendor space and permitted to display and/or sell products inside the tournament venue (which includes the playing room, after hours room, meeting rooms, and any other function rooms or prefunction space used by NASPA during the event). Licensed vendors are subject to prior approval by NASPA, at its sole and absolute discretion.

Other vendors who wish to sell products must do so at their own expense from their own rented space (hotel room, meeting room, etc.), subject to any applicable regulations. NASPA accepts no liability or responsibility for such vendors or their activities.

== Further Information ==

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer.
If you have urgent questions about the event, please
email us at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org].