INFORMATION FOR COACHES & ATHLETES:

Dance Party
Come join us on Friday evening for a chance to dance the night away with other U.S. Finals athletes. An interactive DJ will be there all night to host this amazing party! The dance party will be held in Bartle Exhibit Hall A of The Kansas City Convention Center and will open to all registered Athletes during the following times:

12 years old and younger – 7:00PM – 8:00PM
13 years old and older – 8:00PM – 9:00PM

Coaches Meeting
NEW this year! In order to make the most of everyone’s time, we will be conducting the Coaches Meeting for The U.S. Finals – Kansas City via the Internet the week of the event. Registered Coaches will be able to go online (on their own time) to learn the ins and outs of The U.S. Finals – Kansas City. We encourage all coaches to view this video as it will contain important event information for you to relay to your programs.

Coaches Check-In
Coaches Check-In will officially begin at 7PM on Friday, April 16, 2010 in Bartle Exhibit Hall A of the Kansas City Convention Center. Although coaches will be able to check-in on Saturday as well, we highly encourage at least one representative to check-in each team on Friday evening. The following items will be handed to you at Coaches Check-In:

1. Athletes Credentials
Coaches will be given athlete credentials at Coaches Check-In to hand out to every registered athlete participating in The U.S. Finals – Kansas City. Athletes must wear these credentials to again access into the facility – no exceptions. All credentials are counted and re-counted ahead of time to ensure the number being provided to each team is correct in comparison to the number of athletes registered on that team. Lost credentials will not be replaced.

2. Coaches Credentials
All registered coaches (2 per team) will be given wristbands at Coaches Check-In to wear for Saturday’s event.  Coaches must wear these wristbands on their wrists to gain entry into the facility as well as the Coaches VIP Area and the Practice Area – no exceptions.

3. Athlete Gift Tickets
Coaches will receive a stack of Athlete Gift Tickets at Coaches Check-In – one per registered athlete.  Please distribute these to your athletes who will be able to present these tickets at the Champ Gear Booth at any time during the event to retrieve their U.S. Finals gift!

Practice Area
The practice area will be located directly behind the performance floor.  Please check out the event map to view its exact location and set-up.  Only Athletes and credentialed coaches will be allowed access into the Practice Area.  We ask that teams check-in for the Practice Area at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled practice time.  The practice warm-up schedule will consist of the following:

CHEER TEAMS
6 minutes – 44’ x 12’ Foam Stretch Strip
6 minutes – 72’ x 12’ Spring Floor Strip
6 minutes – 54’ x 44’ Full Size Spring Floor

DANCE TEAMS
6 minutes – 44’ x 12’ Foam Stretch Strip
6 minutes – Marley Strip
6 minutes – Full Size Marley Floor

Water will be available for the athletes at designated water stations before and after their warm-up rotation.  We also ask that you do not bring any bags or other items that can cause clutter inside the Practice Area.  We want to maintain a safe and clean environment for all teams competing.

Performance Area
The Performance Area will consist of a 54’ x 44’ spring floor placed directly on the performance stage for cheer teams.  Dance teams will perform on a 40’ x 49’ Marley Floor.

Performance Review
Upon exiting the performance floor, teams will be able to immediately review their performances on a large flat screen TV. This performance review station is made possible by Lockwood Media.

Scoring & Score Sheet Pick-Up
Please visit our SCORING PAGE for all information regarding our score sheets and scoring process.  All score sheets will be made available for pick up at Coaches Check-In immediately after your team’s award session has concluded.  Please don’t forget to leave with your score sheets!

Awards
The following awards will be given out at The U.S. Finals – Kansas City:

Champion Pick-Up
All athletes of division winning teams will be handed a Champion Gear Ticket at the awards ceremony.  Athletes can then take their tickets to the Champ Gear Pick-Up booth to receive their U.S. Champion jackets at any time!

Pre-Order T-Shirts
For a limited time, t-shirts specialized with your team name and colors can be purchase on our website for a very low cost!  To download the order form, please click HERE!

Event Merchandise
Please visit the JAMwear booth (The Official Merchandise Provider of The U.S. Finals) to pick up your 2010 U.S. Finals cheer and dance gear!  The JAMwear booth will be located in Bartle Ex Hall A the of the Kansas City Convention Center.  Please view the event map for exact location.

Vendors
Please make sure you check out the fantastic vendors located in Bartle Exhibit Hall A of The Kansas City Convention Center. Please consult your event map for their exact location.

Team & Action Photos
Universal Event Photography is the Official Photographer of The U.S. Finals. Hundreds of action shots will be taken throughout each team’s performance. Team photos will also be taken before each team takes the practice floors. Photos will be available for purchase the day of the event. All event photos will also be posted online and will be available for purchase at the following website – http://www.universaleventphoto.com/Index.aspx.

Performance Videos
Lockwood Media is the Official Videographer of The U.S. Finals.  Videos of each team’s performance will be available for purchase the day of the event.  All video performances will also be available for purchase at the following website – www.lockwoodmediaonline.com.

INFORMATION FOR SPECTATORS:

VIP Seating
A VIP Seating area will be available for the fans of the team performing.  The U.S. Finals staff will monitor this area to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to utilize this space during their team’s performance.  Please make sure you follow the flow of the space and move in and out quickly.  Thank you for your cooperation in advance!

Concessions/Food
Plenty of concession at the Kansas City Convention Center will be made available to all athletes and spectators. No outside food or beverage may be brought into the facility.
 
Spectator Pricing
The U.S. Finals – Kansas City is a ticketed event.  Spectator pricing for The U.S. Finals - Kansas City will be as follows:

Parking
The Kansas City Convention Center is available in the Auditorium Plaza Garage, city-owned lots, and privately owned lots. Event parking rates at city-owned lots are $5 to $8. Rates at privately owned lots vary by location and by event. Many parking garages are open 24 hours and most will be open to facilitate attendees of major events. Availability changes depending on the time of day. Metered, on-street parking is available and is free evenings and weekends. There are also surface lots throughout downtown.

WARNING – Strobes, fog, haze and other special effects will be used in the production of The U.S. Finals!