Hello there again, I’m going to get into the art of tournament organization and what you should and should not do in preparations.
1- Location
Whether at a local friendly gaming store(LFGS) or going out to a convention, as a Tournament Organizer(TO) make sure your people know where they can get food or accommodations if its a con.
2- Pre-Tournament
Make sure you (as the TO) and any Judges you have helping know what they are doing and assist you. If tables need terrain, missions need organizing, score sheets need to be made, make sure you're on top of it. You will never fully be prepared, but you can at least be mostly prepared.
3- Tournament Day
Talk to the your LFGS and see what deals they can offer the players that day. Also check with any food venues and see if they are willing to cut any deals or for really large events just give them a heads up business may pick up that weekend.
Make sure everything is set. No last minute running around, its your show to run and, well, its going to be a long day.
4 – After Tournament
Thank your players, and they will thank you for running this. It was probably a long day and people will be beat but thank them for their time and being considerate. If the event is at a LFGS you are either a guest or a representative for that store for that day. Make the people feel welcome and want to return for much more fun packed times.
Things you should do:
Be kind and respectful to anyone you talk to.
Settle rules disputes in a timely manner to not hinder game play.
Be knowledgeable, know your shit!
Build a Reputation – The more people know you are great at running these events, the more people will return.
Things you shouldn't do:
Do not go and show no interest or half ass the event, it will show!
Don't be a jackass, people will probably be a pain and will drive you nuts, but either ignore them or be reasonable.
Don't leave the place trashed, clean up after yourself and your people, make sure to tell them to respect the place and clean.
It's always an experience running an event and new things come up all the time. Take notes, write down what worked and what didn't and learn from your mistakes, the more events you run, the more you will learn troubleshooting for the inevitable.
Thanks for your time, and feel free to bounce your ideas and leave any tournament running experience you may have, or even if you have not run a tournament, things you have liked from places you have been to for a tournament.
Cardin Out.
Good points made. I find myself more and more attracted to local events. I love the competition level of national grand tournaments like adepticon, but the level of stress is usually over the top. Especially after this year's NOVA open. Judges just yelling into the microphone and talking to us like we were asshats was beyond annoying.
ReplyDeleteAnother point to bring up is to keep the length of the tournament reasonable. You typically do a good job of that, three games in a day is usually plenty for everyone. This is especially true at the local level, as the majority of the people that play in local events aren't hardcore.
What Cardin says is true, it will make things more enjoyable for all. We've both been running events at our FLGS for some time now.
ReplyDeleteMax is right on keeping track of the time is one of the most important things about a tourney. But sometimes you can't help to play over your normal time limit. Either be players are playing so or whatever.
ReplyDeleteSo just keep im mind that is it as much as your responsibility to keep the games moving as much as the TO.