SkillsUSA Utah
State Directors Message for August 24, 2018
*Please forward/share this message with your CTE colleagues throughout your school/district.
 
As we start a new school year, I would like to take a moment to recognize the amazing efforts of our SkillsUSA students and advisors during the past year.  I want to congratulate every student that represented our great state during the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, last June.  Once again, our students proved that they are among the finest skilled and technical science young professionals in the country.  I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the contributions of the CTE professionals that trained and prepared our young people, and the administrators that provided significant support for our national competitors. 
 
Allow me to share some of the results of the national competition:  16 gold medals awarded, 12 silver medals awarded, 15 bronze medals awarded, 16 fourth place competitors, and 17 fifth place competitors.  There were 43 individual medals awarded to Utah contestants.  Utah ranked 8th in medals awarded among 52 states and US territories.  Congratulations for a job well done!
 
To assist our school/chapter officers and advisors as they plan and prepare for the state level events, please review all the information and action items listed below:
 
2018-2019 EVENTS & DEADLINES CALENDAR
SkillsUSA Utah’s Calendar is now available on our STATE WEBSITE (www.utahskillsusa.org) under ‘Important Files & Documents’ on the Home Page OR the Advisor Page OR the ULTI Page.  It will also be available on the ULSC Page and the NLSC Page when those pages are launched before the corresponding events.
 
SKILLSUSA UTAH STATE WEBSITE AND NATIONAL WEBSITE:

• SKILLSUSA UTAH WEBSITE: Check out our SkillsUSA Utah website at http://www.utahskillsusa.org/ 
  • SkillsUSA Utah owns and operates this website. We will constantly be editing and updating as needed so check it OFTEN.  We have many website pages with information specific to, but not limited to; ULTI, State Conference, National Conference, Advisors, Cluster Chairs, Technical Committee Members, Ed Team Leaders, Etc.
  • This website is for INFORMATION ONLY.  It will provide up-to-date information, instructions, and calendar dates for all of our SkillsUSA Utah events. All registration, account creation, etc. will be completed on the National Website for ALL events. (See Details below) No more duplicating efforts!

• WEBSITE FOR EVENT AND MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION: Registration for ALL SkillsUSA Utah events and membership must be completed on the SkillsUSA National Website at www.skillsusa.org. 
  • We request that participants provide an accurate cell phone number, an accurate email address, accurate home mailing addresses for students and accurate school mailing addresses for advisors. We are anxious to communicate as much as possible with all of you, but can only do so with ACCURATE INFORMATION.
    • Cell phone numbers will only be used for extremely rare official SkillsUSA communication from the State Director and WILL NOT be sold to third parties.

 
​ADVISOR ACTION ITEM: UTAH LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE (ULTI):
Our new state officer team is energized and prepared to lead our organization this year.  They, along with the state staff have been diligently preparing for numerous fall activities, starting with the Utah Leadership Training Institute that will be held Tuesday, October 10th at the Utah Valley University Student Center in Orem, Utah. I encourage all advisors and their school level SkillsUSA officers to attend this valuable leadership training / professional development event.  Your school student officers will return with resources, information and enthusiasm to direct your local school members through a productive and rewarding year in the SkillsUSA organization. 
 

• UTAH LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE (ULTI) – MONDAY, OCT. 8TH, 2018
  • Registration Opens: Monday, Sept. 3rd, 2018
  • Regular Registration Deadline: Friday, Sept. 21st, 2018 ($5.00 Late Fee after this date)
  • Late/Final Registration Deadline: Monday, Oct. 1st, 2018
• Regular Registration Fee: $35.00 (9/3 - 9/21)
• Late Registration Fee: $40.00 (Additional $5.00 9/22 – 10/1)
• Registration for the ULTI event must be completed on the national SkillsUSA website. (www.skillsusa.org)  A step-by-step instruction sheet to complete ULTI registration is located on our state website, or Click Here.
• Please read and follow the instructions carefully. 
• ULTI participants are not required to register as members of SkillsUSA before completing the ULTI registration process. 
• For registration costs and additional details, refer to the CTSO Activity Summary Sheet for the 2018 ULTI event is located under “Conferences and Events”, then “2018 UTAH LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE”, under “Important Form and Documents” or Click Here to be routed to the ULTI Page.

 
2018-19 SKILLSUSA MEMBERSHIP DUES: (Dues are unchanged from the previous year.)
 
Dues: (per person)                                                                     National dues   State dues         Total dues
Secondary (high school) student:                                               $  8.00             $  8.00             $16.00
Secondary (high school) instructor/professional              $20.00             $10.00             $30.00
 
Post-secondary (college) student                                               $8.00               $8.00               $16.00
Post-secondary (college) instructor/professional             $20.00             $10.00             $30.00
 
Special note #1: Paid professional membership dues will include free on-line access to the 2018-2019 National Technical Standards AND the 29 SkillsUSA Framework Career Essential lesson plans.
 
Special note #2: All national and state dues are paid to the National SkillsUSA office.  Additional membership registration information will be provided at the ULTI event.
 
SKILLSUSA UTAH CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mailing address: The street mailing address for all SkillsUSA Utah correspondence is:
SkillsUSA Utah
Attn: Richard Wittwer
4318 West 1275 South
Cedar City, Utah 84720
Please use this address when mailing checks, invoices and correspondence to SkillsUSA Utah. Make sure your accounting office is aware of this address.

Email Addresses & Phone Numbers
Richard Wittwer, State Director
*Please keep in mind I teach full time in addition to my State Director’s duties and will get back to you asap.
Cell Phone: 435-590-8386
Office Phone: 435-867-3938
E-mail: skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com
 
Angelee (Angie) Day, Assistant to the State Director
OFFICE HOURS:

• Mon/Wed/Fri: 9:00am -12:00 Noon
• Tue/Thu: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
  • She will reply to emails/answer calls outside of her regular office hours as time allows as well.

Phone: (385) 212-4727
E-mail: angelee.day@gmail.com (E-mail is preferred and will receive a quicker response)
 
Student Officer Team
E-mail: stateofficers@utahskillsusa.org
 

• PLEASE ENSURE ALL SCHOOL AND DISTRICT FIREWALLS ARE CONFIGURED TO ALLOW EMAILS FROM THESE EMAIL ACCOUNTS.  WE WANT TO ENSURE EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF RECEIVING EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN NEEDED!

 
NEW OFFICER TEAM ADVISORS:
We are pleased to announce that Patrick Thompson, a former SkillsUSA National Officer and Curt Crofts, from Dixie Technical College have joined the SkillsUSA Utah State Staff.  Their primary responsibility is to train, support and manage the Utah State Officer Team. We are fortunate to have these two gentlemen serving in our SkillsUSA Utah organization.
 
SKILLSUSA COMPETITION THEME FOR  2018-19:
The SkillsUSA competition theme for the 2018-19 school year is: SkillsUSA: Champions at Work: Career-Ready Starts Here. This theme is to be addressed by contestants in the Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions.
 
SKILLSUSA CHAPTER EXCELLENCE PROGRAM:
The national SkillsUSA organization has developed an amazing program to recognize SkillsUSA chapters that are providing excellent skill training, personal development, professional development, service activities and fun social activities for students. We strongly encourage students and advisors to review the chapter recognition opportunities provided by the Chapter Excellence Program and consider your full participation in the program.  Additional information and applications for the CEP can be accessed at the following link on the National Website: http://www.skillsusa.org/programs/chapter-excellence-program/   
 
Participation in the Chapter Excellence Program at any level is purely voluntary, but we encourage all Utah chapters to consider working towards the “Quality Chapter” Level 1 recognition, or a higher level of recognition if you have the time and resources to do so.  The application and documentation must be sent to the state director no later than February 18, 2018.
 
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, concerns or feedback.  I wish you all the very best for a wonderful year.
 
Warmest regards,
 
Richard Wittwer
SkillsUSA Utah State Director
skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.org
435-590-8386 (cell)
435-865-3938 (office)
4318 West 1275 South, Cedar City, Utah 84720

SkillsUSA Utah
State Director’s Message for June 18, 2018
 
Greetings!  Time has really flown by and we are under two weeks from our national conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  All conference preparations have been completed including:
 

• the airline ticketing process is finalized and paid
• the hotel room assignments are completed and paid
• the catering orders are done
• the conference registrations are finalized and paid
• the passes for Churchill Downs have been purchased for those that would like to watch the horse races
• our Utah t-shirts and trading pins have been ordered and received
• and the equipment trailer will be available next Tuesday and Wednesday for tool drop off

 
When you see a member of the SkillsUSA Utah state staff at the national conference, be sure to thank them for their significant conference preparation efforts.
 
Here are a few National Conference Reminders/Items: (Advisors please forward this message to all your student contestants!)
 
Hotel:
We are staying at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center Louisville North, 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Indiana 47129.  This is the same hotel as last year, but newly remodeled and rebranded.  I know it says Indiana in the address.  This hotel is right across the Ohio river from Louisville and is close to the Kentucky Expo Center (KEC).  The hotel people have been amazing, and they are anxious to make our conference stay a memorable one.
 
Contest Updates:
I hope all students and advisors have been checking the national website conference page for Contest Updates.  Most competitions will have at least one update listed with contest details and instructions.

• The link to the Contest Updates page on the National Website is: https://www.skillsusa.org/competitions/skillsusa-championships/contest-updates/ OR
• You can to go the NLSC page on our STATE website and scroll to the bottom and click the Red Button under ‘NLSC Contest Updates’: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/nlsc---national-leadership--skills-competition.html

 
Contest Clothing:
Every student competitor must wear the appropriate competition clothing during their national contest events.  Many competitions require this official clothing at the pre-contest orientation meeting too.  I strongly recommend that every student wear their competition clothing to the pre-contest meeting, just to be safe.  If you do not have the proper clothing, you will not win a medal at the national conference.
 

• OFFICIAL CLOTHING SCORING RUBRIC: A copy of the official clothing scoring rubric that will be used in every contest to score contestant clothing is available on our state website at:  https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/clothing_assessment_nlsc_2018.pdf  

 
Resume’:
Every student competitor must have a printed professional resume’ to turn in at the pre-contest meeting.  Failure to submit a resume’ will result in a deduction of points.
 
Equipment Trailer:

• The equipment trailer drop-off schedule can be found at: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/tool_trailer_instructions_-_schedule_2018.pdf
• A signed liability release form must be submitted for every individual/school placing items in the equipment trailer.  A trailer liability release can be found at: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/2018_tool_trailer_liability_release_and_waiver_4-16-18.pdf   

 
 National Officer Candidate:
Kyler Kelsch, a past state officer who is currently enrolled at Dixie State University is running for a college/post-secondary national officer position.  When his official campaign begins at the national conference, we all need to provide support for this amazing young man.  He will be a fantastic national officer.
 
Condensed Conference Agenda:
A simplified/condensed national conference agenda can be found at: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/2018_nlsc_condensed_agenda.pdf
*Please review this agenda as it has some specific items for all Utah participants.
 
2018 NLSC Program:

• The 2018 National Leadership and Skills Conference program is available through the 2018 National Conference App. It can be downloaded by searching ‘2018 SkillsUSA NLSC’ or Using the QR Code Below.
• It is also available in PDF Format Here: https://www.skillsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NLSC-Program-2018-for-Awards-Book-6-6.pdf

 
It is critical that every student find their contest information in the program.  The contests are listed alphabetically and indicate every meeting and contest event, location and time.  Plan to leave the hotel 45 minutes to 1 hour before each meeting/event to make sure you arrive on time.
 
Knowledge Test (AKA: Professional Development/Tie Breaker Test)
All contestants are required to take the ‘Knowledge Test’.  We will be administering the test on Tuesday Morning (June 26th) during our Continental Breakfast (Paid for by SkillsUSA Utah) from 6:30am – 8:30am in our reserved Banquet Room at the Radisson Hotel. If contestants have meetings or other obligations during that time, they need to come to headquarters at a different time ON TUESDAY (June 26th) and make arrangements to take it.
 
Seating Map for Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies/Awards Program:
The map which indicates the location of seating for the Utah delegation during the Opening General Session and the Awards Program is available on our state website at:

• SEATING MAP: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/state_stadium_seating_map_nlsc_2018.pdf
• SEATING CHART: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/nlsc_2018_seating_chart_by_state.pdf

 
Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC):
Every person driving a personal vehicle or rental vehicle that enters the KEC parking areas will be required to pay a parking fee.  A copy of the KEC parking policy and parking fee amounts can be found on our state website at: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/parking_nlsc_2018.pdf
 
FINAL REMARKS
Thank you all for your efforts and dedication to prepare for this national competition event.  Remember, we are going to Louisville for one purpose: “To provide the students an opportunity to test their skills at the highest level of national competition.”  We expect every student to prepare and perform at their maximum ability, and to avoid all distractions. We expect every advisor and guest to support the students in this effort. We will graciously accept the results, whatever they are.  I truly appreciate all that you do!
 
Warm regards,
 
Richard Wittwer
SkillsUSA Utah State Director

SkillsUSA Utah
State Directors Message for March 21, 2018
 
Please read the following list of VERY important ‘Friendly Reminders’ and Updates about our Upcoming Utah Leadership and Skills Conference (Also known as ‘State Competition’ and ULSC)
 

• THE HEADQUARTERS LOCATION HAS CHANGED! IT IS NOW IN BUSINESS BUILDING ROOM 118!  Enter the business building through the parking lot level doors on the north side of the building.  Headquarters will be the second door on the left.
• Registration is Closed.  Technical Committees are collecting materials and making preparations. Only drops and substitutions are allowed at this point. No additional registrations will be allowed.
• Contest Update Information (This is where you will find the latest contest information from the contest judges.)
  • To view contest updates, you can:
    • Go directly to the Contest Updates page at: https://2018contestupdates.blogspot.com/ and click the contest from the list on the right of the screen OR
    • Go to our Home Page or ULSC Page on our State Website (https://www.utahskillsusa.org/) and click the ‘2018 Contest Updates’ button under the ‘Contest Status Sheet, Updates, and Fees’ Section and be routed to the Contest Updates Page.
• 2018 “General” State Conference Regulations document:
  • All advisors and contestants must review this document prior to competing at the state conference event.  These regulations closely mirror the national championship policies, procedures and regulations.  A thorough understanding of these procedures will better prepare all Utah contestants for success at the state and national levels. 
    This document is available on the ULSC Page of our State Website: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/skillsusa_utah_championships_general_regulations_3-22-18.pdf
• Contest Status Sheet (This is where you will find the contest locations and times.)
  • PLEASE CHECK THE CONTEST STATUS SHEET OFTEN! It is being updated constantly! To view it:
    • Go to our Home Page or ULSC Page on our State Website (https://www.utahskillsusa.org/) and click the ‘2018 Contest Status Sheet’ button under the ‘Contest Status Sheet, Updates, and Fees’ Section to download the excel sheet.
• Tie-Breaker Test
  • All contestants have the opportunity to take the ‘Tie Breaker Test’. In the event of a tie during any contest, the score achieved on this test will be used as the Tie-Breaker. The Instructions, Study Guide, and Test are available on our State Website:
    Instructions: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/tie-breaker_test_instructions.pdf
    Study Guide: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/test-studyguide.pdf
    Test: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/RG?p=14a1dfbb-4596-45aa-9d3f-8f2ad615e2dd
• Resume’ Requirement
  • ALL contestants are required to bring a one-page, hard copy/printed, typed, professional, formatted resume to their pre-contest meeting.  If they do not turn in a resume, or the resume does not have a “professional appearance”, it will result in a 10-point deduction. This deduction will apply to every member of a team event that fails to submit an acceptable resume’
  • We encourage students to store their completed resumes electronically as well (i.e. E-mail, Cloud, USB Stick, etc.) as backup for emergencies.
• Delegates
  • Any students who are registered, paid members of SkillsUSA are invited to attend the Delegate Session at the following times:
    • Thursday, April 12th at 3:30pm in the LAC Arena
    • Friday, April 13th at 2:30pm in the LAC Arena.
• 2018-2019 Officer Team Candidates   
  • Advisors, please encourage interested students to run for a position on our state officer team.  We need energetic young people to lead our student organization.  Officer team candidates must be active, registered members of SkillsUSA to serve on this team.
  • Any students interested in running for the 2018-2019 Student Officer team need to:
    • Fill out the online application on our State Website at: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/student-officer-application.html
    • Attend the Officer Candidate Orientation/Interviews on Thursday, April 12th in Student Center Room 221 at 2:00PM
    • Accepted officer applicants will be added to a ballot and are permitted to campaign at the state conference. Officers will be elected by student delegates and announced at the awards session of the state conference. Newly elected officers must be prepared to stay an extra night after the state conference ends for an orientation session with the officer team advisors. Reasonable expenses for the extra night and return travel are covered by SkillsUSA Utah.
• Advisor Headquarters Check-in
  • We ask that all school advisors stop by Headquarters (Business Building Room 118) and ‘Touch Base’ at any time either Thursday, April 12th or Friday, April 13th before Closing Ceremonies. We have a special gift for each of our advisors.
• Official Contest Clothing & Tools Requirements and App
  • Every contestant must wear the official SkillsUSA contest clothing as specified in the 2018 SkillsUSA Technical Standards.  Failure to comply will result in a “clothing deduction.”  All competition clothing items are available through the SkillsUSA Store on the national SkillsUSA website, www.skillsusa.org.
  • Contestants Clothing will be scored with the following rubric:

Improper shirt                                      -10
Improper pants                                     -10      
Improper shoes                                    -10
Improper jacket (when required)           -10
No tie / improper tie (when required)     -5
Improper socks / nylons                        -5
Unauthorized clothing (hats, vests, etc.) -5
Offensive Tattoo that is not covered       -5

• There is a new app available through the Apple Store or Google Play that outlines the EXACT contest clothing and tools required for each contest. You can search ‘SkillsUSA: Clothing and Tools’ or click one of the links below:
  • Apple Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skillsusa-clothing-and-tools/id1165281105?mt=8
  • Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pearson.skillsusachampionship&hl=en

• Campus/Building Maps
  • All Campus and Building Maps that are currently available can be found on our State Website ULSC Page at: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/2018-utah-leadership--skills-competition-ulsc.html under the ‘Campus an Building Maps’ Section.
• Drops/No Refund Deadline - Friday, March 23rd 2018 is the final Drop/No Refund Deadline.
  • Schools will not be able to receive a refund for any dropped contestants after this date.
• Payment Deadline – Friday, March 30th, 2018 is the Payment Deadline for 2018 ULSC.
  • #1 - Submit your Registration
  • #2 - PRINT 2 INVOICES, One for your records, ONE TO MAIL WITH YOUR CHECK
  • #3 - Mail to:
    • Richard Wittwer
    • SkillsUSA Utah
    • 4318 West 1275 South
    • Cedar City, UT 84720
  • BILLING QUESTIONS/TO PAY VIA CREDIT CARD:
    • Contact Jennifer Streker - (801)540-4342 - strekerj@gmail.com
    • *There is a 3% Fee if you choose to pay your invoice via Credit Card
• Substitute Policy
  • All substitutes must be registered members of SkillsUSA before February 23rd, 2018.
  • To utilize a substitute, email Angie Day, the Assistant to the State director, with the following information at angelee.day@gmail.com:
    • First and Last Name, School, and Contest of the Contestant being Dropped
    • First and Last Name, School and Contest of the Contestant being used as a substitute.
• ALL CONTESTANTS
  • Only students that are properly registered and paid members of SkillsUSA AND properly registered and paid state conference contestants will be allowed to compete.  If one member of a “team” event cannot compete and there is not a properly registered member substitute, the whole team may be disqualified.
• General Conference Agenda
  • Can be found on our State Website ULSC Page (https://www.utahskillsusa.org/2018-utah-leadership--skills-competition-ulsc.html) by clicking the Red Button labeled ‘General Conference Agenda’ under the ‘Other Important Documents’ Section, or by following this link: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/general_schedule_3-18-18.pdf
• Tie Breaker Test
  • Instructions, Study Guide, and Test are all available on the ULSC Page of our State Website (https://www.utahskillsusa.org/2018-utah-leadership--skills-competition-ulsc.html) under the ‘Tie-Breaker Test Section’ OR at the links below:
    • Instructions: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/tie-breaker_test_instructions.pdf
    • Study Guide: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/test-studyguide.pdf
    • Test: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/RG?p=14a1dfbb-4596-45aa-9d3f-8f2ad615e2dd
• Technical Standards
  • The Contest Technical Standards are your best resource for what to expect for each contest. They can be accessed through a Paid Professional Membership on the National Website. 
  • Instructions for how to access them can be found on our State Website under the ‘Conferences and Events’ drop down menu OR by following this link: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/how_to_access_technical_standards_2016-2017.pdf
• Lunch:
  • A “free” box lunch and bottle of water will be available for all student and advisor participants during the lunch hours on Friday, April 13th.  More details coming soon.
• Membership & Conference Fees
  • All student contestant membership fees must be paid to the SkillsUSA National Office before March 1st, 2018 to avoid a possible contest disqualification.
  • All State conference registration fees must be paid prior to participation at the state conference to avoid a possible contest disqualification.
• We STRONGLY encourage that your contestants not only check the Date, Time, and Location of their contest the day before, but that they PRINT the following documents to have with them in case they do not have internet access to our website:
  • Contest Status Sheet
  • Campus/Building Maps
  • General Conference Agenda
  • THEIR RESUME!
• NO PROVIDED BUSSES THIS YEAR
  • VERY IMPORTANT: Due to the very high cost and extremely low ridership in recent years, SkillsUSA Utah will not be providing bus transportation to any state conference venues this year. If your contest is not held at the SLCC Taylorsville/Redwood campus, it is the responsibility of the advisor/school/district to provide transportation to and from the contest site!  This includes contest sites at Ogden Weber ATC, Davis ATC, Utah Valley University, the Iron Workers Training Center, etc.  Please plan accordingly and make arrangements for additional bus drivers as needed to accommodate the additional driving hours.
• Models
  • Models are not required to register as a state conference participant.  Nail Care and Esthetics models and assistants in Action Skills, Principles of Technology, and Job Skill Demonstrations A and Open must be active SkillsUSA student members. Models and assistants are not required to be from the same school as the competitor. They are not considered contestants and are not required to attend contestant orientation meetings. Since models and assistants are not involved in the written test and are not considered contestants, they are also not eligible to receive medals.
• SLCC  Campus Policies:
  • Our wonderful hosts at Salt Lake Community College have asked me to remind all participants of the visitor policies that will be enforced during the state conference.
    • Parking is limited to “general parking” areas.  Do not park in any restricted or limited use stalls unless you have the appropriate vehicle designation.  Buses must be parked in the parking lots North of the LAC building.
    • No “outside” food may be consumed in the SLCC Student Center.  (Example: Do not order delivery pizza or bring multiple pizzas into the student center.  In case you are wondering why, SkillsUSA Utah has paid a financial penalty for this in the past!)
    • No portable furniture is allowed in any SLCC campus building.  (Example, folding lawn/beach chairs.)
    • No signs, posters or tape can be applied to any walls or bulletin boards of any building.
    • SLCC wants to thank you for your cooperation.  Let’s all be pleasant guests during our visit on the campuses of Salt Lake Community College.

 
Special thanks to all our advisors! We truly appreciate your hard work and dedication.
 
Warm Regards,
 
Richard Wittwer
SkillsUSA Utah State Director
skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com
435-590-8386

Happy New Year.  I have listed several items for your consideration as you continue your preparations for our SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Conference (ULSC). Please read ALL of the information CAREFULLY to avoid any confusion or miscommunication and let us know if you have any questions.
 
Advisor action item: SkillsUSA Membership Registration (change links)EVERY STUDENT COMPETITOR MUST BE REGISTERED AND PAID AS A NATIONAL MEMBER OF SKILLSUSA ON OR BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF FEBRUARY 23, 2018 OR THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE IN THE STATE COMPETITION.
 

• Official Membership Registration requires the submission of complete and accurate student information plus full payment of all membership dues by the membership deadline of February 23, 2018.  Students that are not registered and paid members of SkillsUSA will not be allowed to compete at the state conference.  This mandatory registration deadline is required to provide sufficient time for the proper verification of student membership status before the close of state conference registration.

 
While many advisors have already submitted a membership roster of students and advisors from their school, it may be necessary to add new student / professional members, so it is appropriate for us to share the membership registration procedures links) one more time.  
 

1. MEMBERSHIP DEADLINE IN UTAH IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23TH, 2018
   • Our registration system WILL NOT ALLOW students to register for their Contests until they are a REGISTERED, SUBMITTED, MEMBER of SkillsUSA.
   • Students registered as members after this deadline will not be eligible to compete at the State Conference and they are not eligible for national competition.

 

1. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED ON THE NATIONAL WEBSITE AT WWW.SKILLSUSA.ORG. 
   • Instructions for the completion of the membership registration on the national website can be found on our STATE WEBSITE (www.utahskillsusa.org) by:
     • Going to our ULSC Page under ‘Membership Registration’ OR  o CLICKING HERE   
     • If you need additional assistance with membership registration, please call the national membership hotline at 844-875-4557, or email them at operators@skillsusa.org.  

​

1. MEMBERSHIP DUES:
   • Student Membership Dues are $16.00 for all High School/Secondary and College/Post-Secondary students.
   • Advisor/professional membership dues are $30.00 and includes on-line access to the current Technical Standards. 
   • When you click the final “submit” button on the membership registration site, an invoice will be generated and you must make payment arrangements for this invoice amount.  If you add more members later, an additional invoice will be created, and a second payment will be required.
   • You will need to register a few extra students as members of SkillsUSA in case you need “alternates” or “substitutes” for last minute drop outs and emergencies.  Every year we have to disqualify a few competitive teams because they do not have enough registered members due to last minute issues and emergencies.  It would be prudent to have a few eligible “alternates” registered as members to avoid this problem.
   • Membership dues are paid directly to the National SkillsUSA office in Leesburg, Virginia.  If paying by credit card, payment is completed on-line through the national website.  If paying by check, please include a copy of the invoice with the check and mail them to the address shown on the membership invoice. We have had schools accidently mail their memberships checks to us, just delaying their payment that much longer.

 
SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Conference:
WHEN: Thursday and Friday, April 12th -13th, 2018
WHERE: Salt Lake Community College, Taylorsville/Redwood Campus, 4700 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah  
 
BUSSES & TRANSPORTAION CANCELLED FOR 2018
Due to the very high cost to provide shuttle buses and drivers during the state conference and the extremely low number of riders on the buses during the last two state conference events, the decision has been made to discontinue provided bus transportation service to all contests and events, effective immediately. 
 
Individual districts and/or schools must make the necessary arrangements to transport their students to and from all venues, contest sites and activities during the 2018 SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Conference.
 
CONTEST STATUS SHEET
The list of state conference contests and the proposed contest sites as presently constituted are available on the our State SkillsUSA Utah website (www.utahskillsusa.org) by:

• Clicking the RED BUTTON under ‘Contest Status Sheet, Updates and Fees’ that says, ‘2018 CONTEST STATUS SHEET’ in the left column of our ULSC Page OR
• CLICK HERE to be routed to our ULSC Page. OR
• Copy and paste the following link into your web browser: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/2018-utah-leadership--skills-competition-ulsc.html

**THIS DOCUMENT IS CONSTANTLY BEING UPDATED WITH NEW DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, CONTACT INFORMATION, # OF REGISTRANTS ALLOWED, ETC. PLEASE CHECK IT REGULARLY FOR THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION. **
 
CONTEST FEES:
Some state level contests have special contest fees assessed to participants to help offset the cost of contest materials and supplies. This list of contests and the associated fees can be found on the Utah state website by:

• Going to our ULSC Page and clicking the RED BUTTON under ‘Contest Status Sheet, Updates, and Fees’ that says ‘2018 CONTEST FEES’ OR
• CLICKING HERE OR
• Copying the following link to your web browser: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/fees_for_2018_state_conference.pdf

 
‘GENERAL’ STATE CONFERENCE AGENDA
We are finishing up some last-minute details with the agenda this year, and will be sending it out and posting it to the website ASAP. Some confirmed/discussed changes are as follows:

• Eliminating the Opening Session – We will not be having an Opening Session again this year. We are hoping this will give more time for students and advisors to arrive, check in, and prepare for contests and allow contest hosts more preparation time.
• Time Changes for a few Contests – Because we are removing the opening session, and to give plenty of time for tabulating scores, etc. We are seeing if we can move some of the more time-consuming contests from Friday, to Thursday, or earlier on Thursday. We are still working with the Contest Cluster Chairs, Ed Team Leaders, and Tech Committee to see if this is possible.
  • Please check the CONTEST STATUS SHEET REGULARLY for updates and we will also send out email updates when these decisions are confirmed.

 
Theme:
The SkillsUSA competition theme for the 2017-18 year is:
SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, Job-Ready Day One
The SkillsUSA competition theme is used throughout the year as the topic to be addressed by contestants in the Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions at local, state and national levels.
The topic to be addressed by contestants in the Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions is how our theme, “SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, Job-Ready Day One,” addresses the SkillsUSA program of work in the area of professional development.

• Additional suggestions for contestants can be found on our national website at
  https://www.skillsusa.org/about/theme/  OR

• Go to the national website at www.skillsusa.org and type “theme” in the search box.

  
Contest Updates:
To view contest updates you can:

• Go to: https://2018contestupdates.blogspot.com/ OR
• Go to our State Website (www.utahskillsusa.org) and hover your mouse over the ‘CONFERENCES & EVENTS’ option on our top menu. This will produce a short drop-down menu where you can locate and click ‘2018 CONTEST

UPDATES’ OR

• Go to our ULSC Page and click the RED BUTTON under ‘Contest Status Sheet, Updates & Fees’ that says ‘2018 CONTEST UPDATES’

 
All Contest Updates for the 2018 SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Competition will be posted through this Page. On the right side of the page you can sign up to receive emails whenever a Contest is Updated. This will sign you up to receive emails for ALL contests. There is not a way to subscribe to a specific contest. If you do not want to receive emails, just check the page on your own, and often.
 
To view updates, click on the name of a specific contest from the alphabetized list on the right side of the webpage to view updates for that contest.
 
State Conference Registration:
Due to an unusually high number of student disqualifications in previous years from a lack of National Membership Registration plus a significant number of membership registrations that were submitted after the state membership deadline, major changes have been made to the 2018 State Conference Deadline calendar and a Financial Penalty has been added for late registrations.  
 
With the New State Conference Registration System we implemented last year on the National SkillsUSA website, student contestants MUST BE REGISTERED, SUBMITTED members of SkillsUSA BEFORE they will be able to register for any contest at the State Competition.
 
The 2018 SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Conference registration costs and deadlines are as follows: 

• Monday, January 29th - Friday, February 16th, 2018: Regular Registration o $40 Per Student Contestant o $20 Per Advisor
• Saturday, February 17th – Friday, February 23rd, 2018: Late Registrations o $70 per Student Contestant ($40 registration fee + $30.00 late fee per contestant) o $50 Advisor Registration ($20 registration fee + $30.00 late fee per Advisor) 

o The new system does not allow ‘special circumstances’ or ‘refunds’ for late registrations.
  
Registration Procedure for SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Conference:
The ULSC Registration procedure is the same system that was introduced last year. The Walk-through for Contest Registration Procedures can be found on our State Website (www.utahskillsusa.org) by:

• Going to our ULSC page, under ‘Contest Registration’ clicking the ‘Contest Registration Walkthrough’ Button. OR
• CLICKING HERE to be routed to the walk-through OR
• Copying and Pasting the following Links into your web browser: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/how_to_register_for_skillsusa_ulsc.pdf

 
*MODELS: Models will not be required to register for contests this year. Contestants that need a model will need to remember to bring someone with them.  It is preferred that the model be a Member of SkillsUSA, but it is not required.
 
*ALTERNATES: Alternates will be utilized differently this year.

• You will need to register a few extra ‘Alternate’ students as MEMBERS OF SKILLSUSA by the February 23rd Deadline. You WILL NOT need to register them for a contest. 
• After you have REGISTERED, SUBMITTED, AND PAID for the memberships of however many students you choose to have as ‘Alternates’, if you need to substitute them in for a contestant that drops out, all you will have to do is email Angelee Day at angelee.day@gmail.com with the following information:

 

• The First and Last name, the school name, and which contest the ORIGINAL Contestant is Registered for
• The First and Last name of the Alternate, Registered, Submitted, Paid, SkillsUSA Student Member from your school you would like to replace the original contestant.

 
She will make the substitution for you through the conference registration website, and send a confirmation email when it is completed.
 
Invoices and Billing for SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Conference:
BILLING QUESTIONS/TO PAY VIA CREDIT CARD:

• Contact Jennifer Streker - (801)540-4342 - strekerj@gmail.com
• *There is a 3% Fee if you choose to pay your invoice via Credit Card

 
Please mail all payments/invoices and correspondence to:
 
               SkillsUSA Utah
                 Attn: Richard Wittwer
                 4318 West 1275 South
                 Cedar City, Utah 84720
 
***PLEASE INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR SCHOOL’S INVOICE(S) FOR ULSC WITH YOURCHECK OR PURCHASE ORDER TO ENSURE PROPER RECORDS/DEPOSITS/PAYMENTS ARE COMPLETED. 
 
Advisor Action Item: SkillsUSA Knowledge TestThe SkillsUSA knowledge test for all student contestants will be administered on-line prior to the state conference event.  The test will be available March 5th – April 10th through an on-line testing website, so accurate student names and email addresses are critical to enable students to log-in and take the knowledge test.  Details will be forthcoming in the near future.
  
Advisor Action Item: Contest Clothing
There are specific clothing requirements for each contest at both the state and national conferences.  Specific contest clothing requirements can be found in the 2017-18 National Leadership and Skills Conference Technical Standards. All student contestants must be wearing the specified clothing during state conference competition events to avoid a clothing penalty.  Advisors, please make arrangements to obtain the appropriate clothing from the SkillsUSA Store, located on the national SkillsUSA website.
 
2017-2018 Technical StandardsAccess to the Technical Standards is provided to every SkillsUSA advisor with a Paid Professional Membership Registration through the National Website.  Advisors can access the Technical Standards by following the instructions provided by:

• Clicking ‘How to Access Tech Standards’ under the ‘Important Forms and Documents’ heading on either the Home Page, Advisor Page, or under ‘Technical Standards’ on our ULSC Page of our State Website (www.utahskillsusa.org) OR
• CLICKING HERE OR
• Copying and Pasting the Following Link into your web browser: https://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/how_to_access_technical_standards_2016-2017.pdf

 
Advisor Action Item: Chapter Excellence Program (CEP)The national SkillsUSA Chapter Excellence Program or CEP is a voluntary recognition program designed to recognize the many wonderful local SkillsUSA students/chapters that excel in community service, professional development and career preparation activities.  

• The CEP Teacher’s Guide (http://www.skillsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CEP-Teachers-Guide.pdf) that includes all of the information and application documents can be found at (http://skillsusa.org/?s=CEP), or go to the national website and type CEP in the search bar.   
• As stated earlier, this is a voluntary participation activity.  There is a significant application procedure, an application deadline and numerous activities that must be completed to qualify for this chapter recognition.

 
Advisor Action Item: Utah National Conference Pin and T-Shirt Design requestAdvisor’s, please encourage your registered SkillsUSA students to submit designs for the Utah state pin and Utah state t-shirt that will be worn by all Utah participants at the national conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  The designs should feature something unique about our great state and must include the phrase “SkillsUSA Utah 2018.” 

• WHO: The designs submitted must be the work of a high school or college student member of SkillsUSA. 
• FORMAT: All designs must be submitted in a PDF format 
• DUE DATE: TBD
• SUBMIT TO: TBD
• PRIZE: A cash award will be provided for each of the winning designs.

 
DUE DATE AND WHERE TO SUBMIT WILL BE DETERMINED ASAP!
WE WILL POST ON WEBSITE AND SEND OUT AND UPDATE WHEN AVAILABLE!
 
Advisor Action Item: State Officer CandidatesAdvisors, if you have dedicated and energetic SkillsUSA student members at your school that love the SkillsUSA organization and are looking to move to the next level of service, please have them consider running for a position on our state officer team during our upcoming state conference event.  We need additional high school and college level student officers to lead this student organization.  
 
The application can be found on our State Website (www.utahskillsusa.org) by:

• Going to our Top Menu and hovering over About Us, then going to ‘Organization’ from the drop-down menu, then going down to and clicking on ‘Student Offer Team’ from the submenu. On the bottom-right of the Student Officer Team Page, click ‘Apply Now’ and complete the online form. OR
• CLICK HERE to be taken directly to the form OR
• Copy and paste the following link into your web browser: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/student-officer-application.html  

 Calendar Reminders:

• Monday, January 29th, 2018 - SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Championships (ULSC) registration begins
• Friday, February 16th, 2018 - Regular ULSC Registration Deadline
• Saturday, Feb. 17th - Friday, Feb. 23rd, 2018 - State Conference Late Registration Fee Assessed ($30 per Registrant)
• Friday, February 23, 2018 - 2017-2018 Utah State Membership Deadline
• Friday, February 23, 2018 - 2017-2018 National SkillsUSA Membership Deadline
• Thursday, March 1, 2018 - Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) applications/documentation due to the state director.
• Friday, March 2, 2018 - Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) applications/documentation due to the SkillsUSA national office.
• March 5 - April 10th, 2018 - SkillsUSA Knowledge on-line test available (Details TBA)
• Friday, March 23rd, 2018 - SkillUSA ULSC substitute/drop deadline (No drop refunds after this date)
• Friday, March 30th, 2018 - SkillUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Championships payment deadline
• Tuesday, April 10th, 2018 - SkillsUSA Knowledge on-line testing ends.
• April 12th-13th, 2018 - SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Championships at SLCC, Salt Lake City, Utah

FINAL REMARKSI know this is a lot to take in, and even more to implement in the last two months before the membership/state conference registration deadlines.  Advisors, thank you so much for your dedicated service as educators and SkillsUSA advisors.
 
Warm regards,
 
Richard Wittwer
SkillsUSA Utah State Director 

The national SkillsUSA organization has developed an amazing program to recognize SkillsUSA chapters that are providing excellent skill training, personal development, professional development, service activities and fun social activities for students. Additional information and applications for the CEP can be accessed at the following link on the National Website: http://www.skillsusa.org/programs/chapter-excellence-program/   
 
Participation in the Chapter Excellence Program at any level is purely voluntary, but we encourage all Utah chapters to consider working towards the “Quality Chapter” Level 1 recognition.  The application and documentation must be delivered to the state director no later than March 1, 2018. 

The SkillsUSA competition theme for the 2017-18 school year is: SkillsUSA: Champions at Work: Job Ready, Day One. This theme is to be addressed by contestants in the Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions.

As many of you know, tech schools around the state have changed their school names. This also resulted in change of email address for many of our advisors. If your email address has changed, please notify Angelee Day asap at angelee.day@gmail.co

URGENT ADVISOR ACTION ITEM: SKILLSUSA UTAH CONTACT INFORMATION:

• New mailing address: The new street mailing address for all SkillsUSA Utah correspondence is:

SkillsUSA Utah
Attn: Richard Wittwer
4318 West 1275 South
Cedar City, Utah 84720
Please use this address when mailing checks, invoices and correspondence to SkillsUSA Utah. Make sure your accounting office is aware of this address change.

• New email addresses: The new email address for electronic correspondence with the SkillsUSA Utah State Director, Richard Wittwer, is: skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com
• Verify correct contact phone numbers:

Richard Wittwer, State Director
435-590-8386 (Cell)
435-867-3938 (Office)
NEW EMAIL: skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com
 
Angelee (Angie) Day, Assistant to the State Director
Phone: (385) 212-4727
E-mail: angelee.day@gmail.com (E-mail is preferred and will receive a quicker response)
 

• PLEASE ENSURE ALL SCHOOL AND DISTRICT FIREWALLS ARE CONFIGURED TO ALLOW EMAILS FROM THESE TWO EMAIL ACCOUNTS.  WE WANT TO ENSURE EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF RECEIVING EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN NEEDED!

2017-18 SKILLSUSA MEMBERSHIP DUES: (Dues are unchanged from the previous year.)
 
Dues: (per person)                                                      National dues   State dues         Total dues
Secondary (high school) student:                                   $  8.00             $  8.00             $16.00
Secondary (high school) instructor/professional $20.00             $10.00             $30.00
 
Post-secondary (college) student                                    $8.00               $8.00               $16.00
Post-secondary (college) instructor/professional $20.00             $10.00             $30.00
 
Special note #1: Paid professional membership dues will include free on-line access to the 2017-2018 National Technical Standards AND the 29 SkillsUSA Framework Career Essential lesson plans.
 
Special note #2: All national and state dues are paid to the National SkillsUSA office.  Additional membership registration information will be provided at the ULTI event.

Our new state officer team is energized and prepared to lead our organization this year.  They, along with the state staff have been diligently preparing for numerous fall activities, starting with the Utah Leadership Training Institute that will be held Tuesday, October 10th at the Utah Valley University Student Center in Orem, Utah. I encourage all advisors and their school level SkillsUSA officers to attend this valuable leadership training / professional development event.  Your school student officers will return with resources, information and enthusiasm to direct your local school members through a productive and rewarding year in the SkillsUSA organization. 
 

• Registration for the ULTI event must be completed on the national SkillsUSA website. (www.skillsusa.org)  A step-by-step instruction sheet to complete ULTI registration is located on our state website, or Click Here.
• Please read and follow the instructions carefully.  Learning this new process will take time initially but will make it very easy to register for all future events, including membership registration. 
• ULTI participants are not required to register as members of SkillsUSA before completing the ULTI registration process. 
• The CTSO Activity Summary Sheet for the 2017 ULTI event is located under “Conferences and Events”, then “2017 UTAH LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE”, or Click Here.

SkillsUSA Utah
State Directors Message for August 22, 2017
(Please forward/share this message with your CTE colleagues throughout your school/district.)
 
Welcome to another great year of Career and Technical Education Training with Skilled and Technical Science programs supported by SkillsUSA activities and events. We look forward to working with our amazing students, advisors, administrators and industry representatives.  
 
As we start a new year with current and new participants, I hope that all of our student and professional members recognize the value of full participation in SkillsUSA.  There is tremendous potential for professional development, leadership development, social activities, service activities and many opportunities for students to kick-start their career preparation efforts.  Next spring we will add the “icing on the cake” that comes from local, regional, state and national competitions, where our students prove that they are the very best young career professionals that our country has to offer.

• URGENT ADVISOR ACTION ITEM: SKILLSUSA UTAH WEBSITE
• ​ADVISOR ACTION ITEM: UTAH LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE (ULTI)
• 2017-18 SKILLSUSA MEMBERSHIP DUES (Dues are unchanged from the previous year.)
•  URGENT ADVISOR ACTION ITEM: SKILLSUSA UTAH CONTACT INFORMATION
• NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR ‘TECH’ SCHOOLS
• SKILLSUSA COMPETITION THEME FOR  2017-18
• SKILLSUSA CHAPTER EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

 
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, concerns or feedback.  I wish you all the very best for a wonderful year.
 
Warmest regards,
 
Richard Wittwer
SkillsUSA Utah State Director
skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.org
435-590-8386 (cell)
435-865-3938 (office)
4318 West 1275 South, Cedar City, Utah 84720

SkillsUSA Utah
State Director’s Message for June 7, 2017
 
Greetings!  Time has really flown by and we are just under two weeks from our national conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  All conference preparations have been completed including: the airline ticketing process is finalized and paid, the hotel room assignments are completed, the catering orders are done, the conference registrations are finalized and paid, the Louisville Bats baseball game tickets have been ordered and paid for those that pre-ordered tickets during conference registration, the passes for Churchill Downs have been ordered and paid for those that would like to watch the last official horse races of the season, our Utah t-shirts and trading pins have been ordered and received, plus a few other items that will be a surprise at the conference.  When you see a member of the SkillsUSA Utah state staff at the national conference, be sure to thank them for their significant conference preparation efforts.
 
National Conference Reminders/Items:
 
We will be communicating through our State Website (http://www.utahskillsusa.org) FREQUENTLY!
Please check it often! Especially the NLSC Page!
 The SkillsUSA Utah NLSC Page can be found:

• Through the Home Page under ‘NLSC – National Leadership & Skills Competition’
• Through the ‘Conferences and Events’ Tab
• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/nlsc-2017---national-leadership--skills-competition.html
• OR CLICKING HERE!

 
Hotel:
We are staying at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center Louisville North, 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Indiana 47129.  I know it says Indiana.  This hotel is right across the Ohio river from Louisville and is closer to the Kentucky Expo Center (KEC) than our hotel last year.  The hotel people have been amazing this year and they are anxious to make our conference stay a memorable one, in a good way!
 If you want to check out the hotel website go to:

• https://www.choicehotels.com/indiana/clarksville/clarion-hotels/in043
• OR CLICK HERE!

 
Flight Information:
Flight Itinerary information and Instructions can be found on our State Website 2017 NLSC Page:
 BLUE GROUP:

• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/air_travel_for_utah_skills_usa_blue_group_2017.pdf
• OR CLICK HERE

ORANGE GROUP:

• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/air_travel_for_utah_skills_usa_orange_group_2017.pdf
• OR CLICK HERE

YELLOW GROUP:

• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/air_travel_for_utah_skills_usa_yellow_group_2017.pdf
• OR CLICK HERE

 AIRPORT INSTRUCTIONS:

• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/airport_instructions_for_southwest.pdf
• OR CLICK HERE

 
Contest Updates:
I hope all students and advisors have been checking the national website conference page for Contest Updates.  Most competitions will have at least one update listed with contest details and instructions. Link to Contest Updates:

• http://www.skillsusa.org/competitions/skillsusa-championships/contest-updates/
• OR CLICK HERE!

  Contest Clothing:
Every student competitor must wear the appropriate competition clothing during their national contest events.  Many competitions require this official clothing at the pre-contest orientation meeting too.  I strongly recommend that every student wear their competition clothing to the pre-contest meeting, just to be safe.  If you do not have the proper clothing, you will not win a medal at the national conference.
 
For each contest, the new “SkillsUSA: Clothing and Tools” app includes an overview, clothing requirements, and eligibility and safety guidelines, as well as lists the specific tools, equipment or materials that contestants need to provide. It is offered completely free of charge for students, instructors and SkillsUSA business partners.
The app is available now in both the Apple Store: http://apple.co/2dtlb8d and the Google Play Store: http://bit.ly/2e5fRec.
 
Resume’:
Every student competitor must have a printed professional resume’ to turn in at the pre-contest meeting.  Failure to submit a resume’ will result in a deduction of points.
 
Equipment Trailer:
The equipment trailer drop-off schedule can be found at:

• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/tool_trailer_instructions_-_schedule_2017.pdf
• OR CLICK HERE!

A signed liability release form must be submitted for every individual/school placing items in the equipment trailer.  A trailer liability release can be found at:

• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/2017_tool_trailer_liability_release_and_waiver.pdf
• OR CLICK HERE!

 National Officer Candidate:
Ms. Madison Whitney, a past state officer who is currently enrolled at Dixie State University is running for a college/post-secondary national officer position.  When her official campaign begins at the national conference, we all need to provide support for this amazing young woman.  She will be a fantastic national officer.
 
Condensed Conference Agenda:
A simplified/condensed national conference agenda can be found at:

• http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/2017_nlsc_condensed_agenda_6-6-17.pdf
• OR CLICK HERE!

Please review this agenda as it has some specific items for all Utah participants.
 
2017 NLSC Program:
An electronic copy of the 2017 National Leadership and Skills Conference program is available at:

• http://www.skillsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NLSC-Program-2017.pdf OR CLICK HERE! 

It is critical that every student find their contest information in the back section of the program.  The contests are listed alphabetically and indicate every meeting and contest event, location and time.  Plan to leave the hotel 45 minutes to 1 hour before each meeting/event to make sure you arrive on time.
 
*We strongly encourage those with Smart Phones to download the 2017 SkillsUSA NLSC App.  You can sign up for everything specific to your contest, in addition to access to everything about the conference. You can find it by going to either Google Play or the Apple Store and searching ‘2017 SkillsUSA NLSC’.
 
FINAL REMARKS
Thank you all for your efforts and dedication to prepare for this national competition event.  Remember, we are going to Louisville for one purpose: To provide the students an opportunity to test their skills at the highest level of national competition. We expect every student to prepare and perform at their maximum ability, and to avoid all distractions. We expect every advisor and guest to support the students in this effort. We will graciously accept the results, whatever they are. We expect nothing more. We demand nothing less!  I truly appreciate all that you do!
 
Warm regards,
 
Richard Wittwer
SkillsUSA Utah State Director

Date:               April 4, 2017
 
TO:                 SkillsUSA National Contestants, Advisors, CTE Directors and Parents
 
FROM:            Richard Wittwer - SkillsUSA Utah State Director
 
SUBJECT:     SKILLSUSA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP & SKILLS CONFERENCE
                        LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, JUNE 19 - JUNE 24, 2017
 
INDIVIDUALS INVITED TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

• SkillsUSA Utah State Leadership and Skills Championships 1st Place Gold Medalists
• National Conference Delegates
• State Officers
• Advisors, Parents, Spouses, Family Members & Observers
• School, District and State Administrators

 
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE: 
*CHANGED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS! PLEASE READ!*
*CAN ONLY BE COMPLETED BY ADVISORS AND CTE ADMINISTRATORS* ON THE NATIONAL SKILLSUSA WEBSITE BY FRIDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2017.
 

1. VERIFY & REGISTER:

We are using the same Registration System we used for our State Competition (ULSC) on the National Website, so the Registration Process for the National Competition will be similar, EXCEPT: THERE IS ONE EXTRA STEP ADDED FOR EVERY, SINGLE, REGISTRANT! You must add applicable fees!

• TO REGISTER CONTESTANTS & ADVISORS: Go to national website and complete the registration for each of the gold medalists from the state competition. Verify that all information, including student and advisor email addresses and phone numbers are correct.  Make sure the student and advisor names, birthdates, and gender match the information on their government issued identification.
  1. NO NICKNAMES ALLOWED! THIS INFORMATION IS USED TO BOOK FLIGHTS! This will be checked during Airport Security Screening!
  2. CONTESTANT FEES: (Explained in detail further down in this document)

• TRAVEL:
  • SkillsUSA Utah Round-Trip Flight Airfare $650.00 OR
  • Other Travel/Self Travel $0.00
• HOTEL (5 Nights, Arriving Monday, Departing Saturday):
  • CONTESTANTS & ADVISORS MUST STAY AT THE ASSIGNED UTAH HOTEL!
  • Select Single, Double, Triple, or Quadruple Occupancy
• NATIONAL & STATE FEES (AUTOMATICALLY ADDED/CAN NOT ‘OPT OUT’)
  • National Fee: $150
  • State Fee: $120
• EXCEPTIONS/ADDITIONS
  • High School Student Gold Medalist $300 Deduction, if applicable.
  • Optional Baseball Game: $10.00
  • TO REGISTER OBSERVERS: If you have family members, guests, or administrators traveling with our group and attending the national conference with your school participants, they must fill out a National Leadership and Skills Conference Form 1 (NLSC Form 1) and submit it to the school advisor, who will complete the national conference registration process for these individuals on the National Website

1. OBSERVER FEES:

• TRAVEL:
  • SkillsUSA Utah Flight Airfare $650.00 OR
  • Other Travel/Self Travel $0.00
• HOTEL (5 Nights, Arriving Monday, Departing Saturday):
  • Select Single, Double, Triple, or Quadruple Occupancy OR
  • Observer Other Lodging $0.00
• NATIONAL & STATE FEES (AUTOMATICALLY ADDED/CAN NOT ‘OPT OUT’)
  • National Fee: $150
  • State Fee: $120
• EXCEPTIONS/ADDITIONS
  • Optional Baseball Game: $10.00
• EXPLANATION OF FEES:

During the Registration Process:

• There is an area/box under the Contests and the email / cellphone / parents name section called 'Add Optional State Fee Items:'

• There is an "Add" button below the grid. You will need to add the applicable fees for each registrant.
• You can click the 'Recalc" button below the grid to tabulate what the total registration fees will be including the National and State Fees (Automatically Added) after including the fees below.
• Under the 'Add Optional State Fee Items’ will be the following options:
  • TRAVEL:
    • SKILLSUSA FLIGHT AIRFARE $650.00 - If the registrant IS Flying with the Pre-Booked SkillsUSA Group Flying out Monday, June 19th, and Returning Saturday, June 20th, this MUST BE ADDED!
    • OTHER TRAVEL/SELF TRAVEL $0.00 - If the registrant IS NOT flying with the Pre-Booked SkillsUSA Group, this MUST BE ADDED for tracking purposes!
  • LODGING:
    • All Contestants and Advisors must stay at the Assigned Utah Hotel!
    • OBSERVER OTHER LODGING $0.00 - If an Observer IS NOT Staying with the Pre-Booked SkillsUSA Group Hotel, this MUST BE ADDED for tracking purposes!
    • #1 SINGLE OCCUPANCY (5 NIGHTS) $900.00 - If the registrant wants his/her OWN ROOM this fee MUST BE ADDED!
    • #2 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (5 NIGHTS) $450.00 - If the registrant is SHARING his/her room with ONE OTHER PERSON this MUST BE ADDED!
    • #3 TRIPLE OCCUPANCY (5 NIGHTS) $300.00 - If the registrant is SHARING his/her room with TWO OTHER PEOPLE this MUST BE ADDED!
    • #4 QUADRUPLE OCCUPANCY (5 NIGHTS) $225.00 - If the registrant is SHARING his/her room with this MUST BE ADDED!
  • OTHER:
    • HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOLD MEDALIST ONLY – $300 CTE Deduction (Credit) Select this option if you are registering a High School Gold Medalist, it will apply the $300 Deduction to your invoice.
    • OPTIONAL BASEBALL GAME $10.00: Wednesday night there is an Optional Activity to attend the Louisville Bats Baseball Game.  Add this fee if the registrant wishes to attend. We will not be attending this game as a Utah Group.

1. HOTEL ROOMING LIST:
   • The school advisor must download the national conference hotel rooming template from the NLSC Page of our State Website by:
     1. CLICKING HERE OR
     2. Copy and Paste the following link into your web browser: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/nlsc-2017---national-leadership--skills-competition.html
     3. THEN: Going to the Left Column under the ‘Registration’ Section > Clicking the ‘Hotel Rooming List Template’ Button > Downloading it.
   • Advisors will need to list every conference participant in the “type” of room that was selected during the registration process. (Single, Double, Triple or Quad)
     • The names on the hotel rooming list must match the names on the conference registration. 
     • Verify that you have the proper “gender” participants assigned to each room. 
     • Identify whether the student is a high school student, a college/postsecondary student, an advisor, a parent or a guest/observer. 
     • If you only have one student attending the national conference and you choose to pay the double, triple, or quad occupancy room rate, enter the phrase “fill this room vacancy” in each empty room slot so we know how to combine students into rooms.
     • If family members/significant others will be staying in the same room as the contestant, please enter their information on the rooming list as well.
   • Submit to the State Director via email at skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com by Friday, April 21st, 2017.
2. COPY AND SUBMIT GOVERNMENT ISSUED IDs:
   • Collect copies of a government issued Identification document (Driver’s license / passport) for each participant and send them to the state director via email skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com.
   • If you have a gold medal student attending the National Conference that does not have a Driver’s License or Passport, please send a copy of his/her student identification card for your school/institution.
3. PAY!
   • WE NOW ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS!
     1. Billing Questions/To pay via Credit Card:
        1. Contact Jennifer Streker – (801) 540-4342 – strekerj@gmail.com
        2. *There is a 3% Processing Fee if you choose to pay via Credit Card

• CHECK PAYMENTS: (DO NOT SEND TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION!)
  • ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO “SKILLSUSA UTAH.” 
  • Print TWO (2) copies of your National Conference Invoice, one for your records and one to include with your Check Payment to:

SkillsUSA Utah
Richard Wittwer
4318 West 1275 South
Cedar City, Utah 84720

• ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

 
Students and participants will not be considered “registered” for the national conference
until the 4 Steps Above have been completed.
 
REGISTRATION TYPES:

• Contestants - Any student competing in a contest. This includes interview contestants for American Spirit, Chapter Display, Promotional Bulletin Board, Occupational Health and Safety, and Outstanding Chapter.
• Advisor - Teachers accompanying students
• Observer - An observer is a parent, students that are ‘alternate’ competitors, guests, models for esthetics and nail care or any other attendee that needs a badge for entrance into all of the events; opening session, competition floor, Awards Ceremony and bus transportation with your state delegation.
• Children 10 and under. Free registration.
  • NOTE: Tickets for amusement parks or any other event that does not include entrance with a badge is not included as part of the child’s free registration. These items can be purchased separately at conference.

 
An NLSC Form 1 must be completed for every person attending the national conference, including family and friends who desire to be full participants at the conference.  Form 1 can be found by:

• CLICKING HERE OR
• Copy and Paste the following Link into your browser: http://skillsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/NLSC-Registration-Form-2014-15.pdf OR
• Going to our State Website (http://www.utahskillsusa.org) > Hovering over ‘Conferences & Events’ > Clicking ‘FORM 1 – BLANK REGISTRATION FORM’ from the dropdown menu.

 
FLIGHT & HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DEVIATIONS:
A ‘Deviation’ is considered a special request for different travel/hotel dates, times, and locations other than those provided by SkillsUSA Utah as part of our pre-booked Group Flight and Group Hotel Block.

• EARLY DEPARTURES: If anyone books five nights and/or flies round trip with the SkillsUSA Utah Group as stated above, but end up wanting to leave early for any reason after our arrival in Louisville, KY, refunds will not be issued, and they must make their own return travel arrangements.
• ADDITIONAL HOTEL NIGHTS:
  • ALL CONTESTANTS & ADVISORS MUST STAY MONDAY-SATURDAY WITH OUR GROUP AT THE HOTEL
  • Any Additional Nights must be booked and paid for with a personal credit card.
• ALL REGISTRANTS TRAVEL/FLIGHT DEVIATIONS: If the registrant IS NOT flying with the Pre-Booked SkillsUSA Group, the ‘Other Travel/Self Travel’ Fee ($0.00) must be added during the registration process for tracking/record keeping purposes. These inviduals will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own Travel/Flight Accommodations.
• OBSERVER HOTEL DEVIATIONS: If an Observer IS NOT Staying with the Pre-Booked SkillsUSA Group Hotel, the ‘Observer Other Lodging’ Fee ($0.00) must be added during the registration process for tracking/record keeping purposes. They will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own Hotel Accommodations.
• NON-REGISTERED FAMILY/SUPPORTERS: Family/Supporters who do NOT want to pay the State and National Fees or participate in any of the group events as an Observer, will not be allowed to register through the National Site, and will need to arrange and pay for their own Flight, transportation and Hotel Accommodations for their entire trip, and they will have to pay for their own tickets to the Awards Ceremony, if they choose to attend..
• They will not be issued a name badge, T-shirt, state pins, nor will they be allowed to attend the Opening general session.  They are not allowed to use delegation passes for special conference activities, use the bus transportation system, and they must pay for the Tuesday breakfast and the Friday night buffet dinner following the awards program if they choose to eat with our group.  Tickets for the closing general session and awards program can be purchased for $10.00 at the national conference headquarters area.

 
DATES AND DEADLINES

• REGISTRATION & HOTEL ROOMING LIST SUBMISSION DEADLINE - Friday, April 21st , 2017
• EDIT/DROP DEADLINE - Friday, April 21st, 2017
• PAYMENT DEADLINE - Friday, April 28th, 2017
  • No changes will be accepted after April 28th.  All cancellations submitted after April 28th are non-refundable. (The money is already spent!)
• TRAVEL INFO SENT OUT FOR VERIFICATION - Monday, May 15th, 2017
• TRAVEL VERIFICATION DUE TO STATE DIRECTOR - Monday, May 22nd, 2017
• NATIONAL COMPETITION (NLSC) - MONDAY, JUNE 19TH - SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH
• TECHNICAL COMMITTEE CHAIR RECOGNITION DINNER - Thursday, August 10th, 2017
  *For Technical Committee Chairs, Cluster Chairs, National Competition Medalists, State Staff, and a +1 significant other each.

 CONTACT INFORMATION
Our only source of contact information for students, advisors, and administrators is the SkillsUSA National Website.  If your Form 1 information is not complete or accurate, specifically phone numbers and email addresses, there is a very high probability that you will miss out on some valuable information that comes through the state director to the individual students and/or advisors.  PLEASE make sure that the Form 1 information for both you and your students is complete, current and accurate.
 
*We will also be utilizing our State Website (http://www.utahskillsusa.org) as a form of communication. Please check it regularly.
 
NATIONAL CONFERENCE HOTEL
*DIFFERENT HOTEL THIS YEAR!*
 
RESERVATIONS/GROUP BLOCK:

• All Utah students and advisors are required to stay at the assigned conference hotel
• All hotel rooms must be reserved using the SkillsUSA Utah Hotel Rooming List. 
  • This includes contestants, advisors, and administrators.  Family, friends and special guests have the option of staying elsewhere, but students must stay at this hotel under the direct supervision of a school or district advisor. 
• Absolutely no other hotel room lists or requests will be accepted. 
• We will not pay for any rooms that are not part of our SkillsUSA Utah group reservation.

 
HOTEL: Clarion Hotel Conference Center Louisville North

• Address: 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, IN. 47129.
• This hotel is located near a business area and is a 12-minute ride by shuttle bus to the conference venue and about a 11-minute ride from the airport.
  • There are several food venues near the hotel. 
• Conference shuttle buses (school buses) will run between the hotel and the Kentucky Expo Center contest area about every 30 minutes throughout the conference week.
• For More information about the hotel and the general area, go to their website at: https://www.choicehotels.com/indiana/clarksville/clarion-hotels/in043

 
HOTEL ROOM ASSIGNMENTS: 

• After all of the hotel room requests have been submitted utilizing the Hotel Rooming List to the State Director, participants will be assigned to a room according to the room type requested and the payment received.
• Advisors, make sure all of your students and participants understand the hotel room arrangements before they arrive in Louisville.  You will get what you pay for!
• OCCUPANCY TYPES:
  • SINGLE (5 Nights) $900.00: you will get your own room and your own bed, usually a king size bed.
  • DOUBLE (5 Nights) $450.00: you will share a room with one other person of the same gender, usually from the same school, (but not necessarily) and you will get your own double size bed.
  • TRIPLE (5 Nights) $300.00: you will share a room with two people of the same gender, usually from the same school (but not necessarily) and two people will be sharing one bed and one person will get a bed to themselves.  How you determine which room-mate gets to sleep alone is up to you.
  • QUADRUPLE (5 Nights) $225.00: this means that you will be sharing a hotel room with 3 other people of the same gender, usually from the same school (but not necessarily) and you will be sharing a double bed with another individual.  
• SPECIAL NOTES:
  • If you pay for a triple or quad and your roommates have not arrived when you go to bed, do not spread your “stuff” around or occupy all of the beds until everyone has checked-in to your hotel room. This could be as late as 10:00 pm on Monday night.
  • Advisors must reserve either a single or double room.  Advisors are not allowed to share a room with a student, regardless of age, unless the student is the advisor’s child.
• Final hotel check-in instructions will be provided early in June.

 
NATIONAL CONFERENCE AIR TRAVEL
Our travel agent has completed the group air travel reservations for all SkillsUSA Utah participants traveling to the national conference. The actual flight assignments will be completed after all conference registration documents and payments have been received by FRIDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2017.

• Air travel costs are based on a rate negotiated with Southwest Airlines for our group of 275+ participants who will be completing a round trip from Salt Lake to Louisville and back to Salt Lake on the designated flight dates, Monday, June 19th & Saturday, June 24th.
• No alternate flight plans will be completed through SkillsUSA Utah.  If any participant requires alternate flight plans, advisors must select “Other Travel/Self Travel” Fee Option when registering for the national conference on the National Website and will be responsible for making their own flight and travel arrangements.
• Only those participants that travel with our group will be covered by the SkillsUSA Utah group liability and travel insurance.  If any participant elects to make their own airline travel arrangements, please know that some special conditions apply:
  • These participants must arrange for their own ground travel to and from the hotel/airport (taxi, shuttle, rental car) unless they arrive at a time when our group shuttle buses are at the airport.
  • If traveling by alternate airlines or private vehicle, the student contestant must arrive at the Utah conference hotel no later than 10:00 pm Monday evening. 
  • Please be aware that a couple of the contests start at 7:00 am on Tuesday morning!
• All participants are required to check in at the Utah hotel headquarters/hospitality room to obtain the conference materials and a hotel room key.
• Any high school student wishing to use an alternate airline or mode of travel is required to obtain written approval from his or her school principal/administrator and/or district administrator that verifies that the student will have proper adult supervision during all travel activities. 

 
NATIONAL CONFERENCE COSTS BREAKDOWN
All inquiries concerning registration, housing, and travel must be directed to Richard Wittwer at skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com or 435-590-8386. (Email is preferred) 

• Room Cost is for five nights including room taxes. The total cost for each room for 5 nights is $900.00. We are staying at a different hotel this year.  Apparently, a hotel with a sufficient number of rooms for our group with clean, continuously operational water, functional A/C units and working toilets cost more money.  Go figure.
• Air Travel — Southwest Airlines air fare, Airport Security Fees, travel agent booking fees.  Up to two luggage bags fly for free. (The airfare cost is lower this year.)
• National Conference Registration Fee — This fee pays for name badges, lanyard, conference document printing costs, conference activities, entrance fees for the opening session and awards session, bus transportation, facility/venue rental costs, contest materials and other SkillsUSA national office conference related expenses.
• Conference Activity Fee —These fees cover SkillsUSA Utah expenses for the initial state trading pins, national conference “T” shirts, Tuesday morning continental breakfast, Friday night buffet dinner, transportation to and from the airport, taxes, gratuities, national conference related printing and postage, national conference related shipping costs, required insurance coverage, tool/equipment transportation to and from Louisville and other SkillsUSA Utah national conference related expenses.
• Meals --There will be a continental breakfast provided on Tuesday morning, and a buffet dinner provided on Friday night for all “paid” registrants.  All other meal expenses will be the responsibility of each individual participant.

2017 NLSC CONTESTANT INSTRUCTIONS
2017-2018 Technical Standards:
All contestants and advisors must carefully study and understand the rules and regulations that pertain to your contest as shown in the Skills USA Championships Technical Standards for 2017-2018.  If you don’t have access the 2017-2018 Technical Standards, they are available online through your advisor via his/her paid professional membership on the National Website.

• A walkthrough for how advisors can access the Technical Standards can be found on our STATE WEBSITE by:
  • CLICKING HERE OR
  • Copy and Paste Following Link into your browser: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/how_to_access_technical_standards_2016-2017.pdf OR
  • Going to our State Website (http://www.utahskillsusa.org) > Hovering over ‘Conferences & Events’ > Clicking ‘How to Access Technical Standards’ from the drop-down menu.
• These Technical Standards include contest rules, clothing requirements, and the proper tools needed for every national competition.  If you do not have the proper clothing and equipment at the national conference, you are guaranteed not to win a national medal!

 
Contest Updates:
All updates to the National Conference contests are posted on the national website: http://www.skillsusa.org. 

• To find the national conference updates:
• Go to the national website, hover over “competitions” and select “SkillsUSA Championships” from the drop-down box.  Click on “Contest Updates” in the menu box to the left OR
• CLICK HERE OR
• Copy and Paste the following link into your browser: http://www.skillsusa.org/competitions/skillsusa-championships/contest-updates/)
• Then scroll down to find the appropriate contest update. 
• All contestants and advisors must check the national website for the latest contest update information at least weekly.  If any additional information is sent to the State Director, it will be distributed to the appropriate contestants and advisors using the contact information provided on national conference registration website.

 
FOLLOW-UP FOR VERIFICATION OF CONFERENCE INFORMATION

• There will be a national conference registration and airline verification document emailed to every school advisor with one or more national contestants by May 15th, 2017. 
• The school advisor must review the information and respond with any changes or corrections no later than May 22nd, 2017.
• If the name on your ticket and the name on your ID does not match, you will not get through airport security, and it is a long walk to Louisville!

 
2017 SKILLSUSA NLSC BASIC SCHEDULE
Here is a very basic schedule for the week we are in Louisville.  A detailed schedule will be provided as soon as it is available from the national office.
 

• Monday, June 19th - Travel day, orientation, hotel check-in.
• Tuesday, June 20th - Continental breakfast, SkillsUSA knowledge test, Pre-contest meetings, some competitions will begin, opening general session.
• Wednesday, June 21st - Preliminary leadership contests, Louisville Bats Baseball Game (optional activity, extra $10 payment required, per person)
• Thursday, June 22nd - Skills contests, leadership contest finals, Churchill Downs Activity (sponsored by SkillsUSA Utah)
• Friday, June 23rd - National conference service project (for those that signed up in advance), awards program
• Saturday, June 24th - Travel home with all of the gold medals and industry prizes

HEAVY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

• There will be a trailer provided to transport heavy tools and equipment that cannot be taken on the plane.  The tool drop off dates and time schedules will be provided soon. 

 
RESUME

• Student resumes seem to create big issues every year.  Contestants, please bring at least one paper copy of your resume to the conference, then don’t forget to take it with you to the pre-contest orientation meeting.
• The national contest technical judge will ask for this resume’ at the beginning of the pre-contest meeting.  Failure to submit the resume’ will result in a deduction from the total contestant score.  I strongly suggest that every student have access to an electronic copy of a resume’, such as a saved copy of the resume’ in your personal email account.   

 
CLOSING REMARKS
We are going to Louisville for one purpose: To provide the students an opportunity to test their skills at the highest level of national competition.  We expect every student to prepare and perform at their maximum ability, and to avoid all distractions.  We expect every advisor and guest to support the students in this effort.  We will graciously accept the results, whatever they are.  We expect nothing more.  We demand nothing less! 

Thanks for another wonderful state conference event.  Once again, your remarkable students demonstrated outstanding skills and dedication.  I am very excited to accompany these young people and their advisors to the national conference for the next level of competition at the 2017 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
 
NEW PROCESSES! PLEASE READ AND VERIFY YOUR REGISTRATION WAS PROCESSED CORRECTLY:
After a review of the national conference registrations completed so far, I want to make sure that all advisors are aware of the required national conference registration steps.  In order to be considered “registered,” there are numerous details that must be completed throughout the registration process on the national website. 
 
Please pay close attention to the following steps for every participant:

• For current student and professional members, select the national conference participant from the membership list
• For all others, register them as “observers”
• Models must have a name badge, so they must be registered “observers” through the national website
• All student contestants must be registered for their specific national contest
• Must select/click a t-shirt size
• Under the ‘FEES/OPTIONS’ Section of the Registration Process, there is an ‘Add Optional State Fee Items’ Section. You MUST applicable fees for EVERY REGISTRANT:
  • A Lodging Fee (Single/Double/Triple/Quad)
    • *Contestants and Advisors MUST stay at the Assigned Utah Hotel and ADD for the applicable Hotel fee for each registrant.
    • *Observers: If observers choose to stay elsewhere, they MUST add the ‘Observer Other Lodging’ $0.00 Fee so we know they will not be staying with us.
  • Flight/Airfare Fee
    • SkillsUSA Flight Airfare: $650.00 – If the registrant is flying round trip with our group, To Louisville Monday, Returning to Salt Lake Saturday, THIS FEE MUST BE ADDED
    • Other Travel/Self Travel: $0.00 – If the registrant is using ANY OTHER TRAVEL METHOD this fee must be selected so we know not to expect them to fly with us.
  • Optional Ball Game: $10.00 – If the registrant would like to attend the Louisville Bats Baseball Game on Wednesday Night, this fee must be added.
  • High School Student Gold Medalist Only: ($300 Credit) – This is the CTE Credit/Deduction for High School Medalists and Student State Officers.
• The $150.00 National Conference Registration Fee is Automatically added during the registration process and shows up as ‘Conference Fee’ on the invoice.
• The $120.00 Utah State Fee is Automatically added during the registration process and shows up as ‘State Fee’ on the invoice.
• Click the ‘Fee Estimate’ Button at the top of the screen once everyone is registered and verify all applicable fees have been added correctly for each registrant.
• CLICK THE ‘SUBMIT REGISTRATION’ BUTTON!!!!!!! AN INVOICE IS NOT GENERATED FROM THE FEE ESTIMATE, YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION OR THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS NOT FINALIZED!
• Print two copies of the school invoice. One for your records and one to send with the payment check.
  • WE NOW ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS!
    • Billing Questions/To pay via Credit Card:
    • Contact Jennifer Streker – (801) 540-4342 – strekerj@gmail.com
    • *There is a 3% Processing Fee if you choose to pay via Credit Card
• Complete the hotel rooming list for your school, making sure to place participants in the rooms based on the room type selected during the registration process on the national website.
• Include a copy of the payment invoice and a copy of the hotel rooming list with the national conference payment check for all participants from your school, and mail this information to:
  • SkillsUSA Utah
  • Attn: Richard Wittwer
  • 4318 West 1275 South
  • Cedar City, Utah 84720
• National conference registration must be completed by April 21st. 
• Payment must be received by April 28th.

 I know this is a semi-complicated process. Numerous resources have been provided to help advisors complete their registrations.  Please take the time to review these instructions carefully and complete all of the required steps.  Thank you in advance
for your efforts in this matter.
 
A few post-state conference notes:
I appreciate those advisors that provided feedback and proposed solutions for concerns following the state conference event. 
We have discussed these items and will take the appropriate actions to improve the state conference experience for all participants.
 
FINAL REMARKS
Thank you all for your efforts and precious time dedicated to this event and the SkillsUSA Organization.  I truly appreciate all that you do!
 
Warm regards,
 
Richard Wittwer
SkillsUSA Utah State Director
 
See Attached (Also Hyperlinked to our Website)

• Registration Walkthrough including Screenshots
• Rooming List Template (Attached only, Excel Format)
• Cost Breakdown
• Detailed National Document

All of the above files are also Available on the NLSC Page of our State Website by CLICKING HERE or copy and paste the following link into your Web Browser: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/nlsc-2017---national-leadership--skills-competition.html

​OFFICIAL CONTEST CLOTHING:
Just a reminder to have every contestant in the appropriate SkillsUSA clothing at the state conference.  Refer to your individual contest in the 2017-18 National Technical Standards if you need clarification on clothing requirements. Clothing penalties will be assessed for improper contest clothing.

​SLCC CAMPUS POLICIES:
Our wonderful hosts at Salt Lake Community College have asked me to remind all participants of the visitor policies that will be enforced during the state conference.

• Parking is limited to “general parking” areas.  Do not park in any restricted or limited use stalls unless you have the appropriate vehicle designation.  Buses must be parked in the parking lots North of the LAC building.
• No “outside” food may be consumed in the SLCC Student Center.  (Example: Do not order or bring a pizza into the student center, and yes, SkillsUSA Utah has been fined for this in the past!)
  • The only exception to this rule, is if a contestant or advisor has a special/specific diet due to medical or religious reasons and food they need is not available on campus.
• No portable furniture is allowed in any SLCC campus building.  (Example, folding lawn/beach chairs.)
• No signs, posters or tape can be applied to any walls or bulletin boards of any building.

SLCC wants to thank you for your cooperation.  Let’s all be pleasant guests during our visit on the campuses of Salt Lake Community College.

​All Education Team Leaders are required to attend the Ed Team Leader Luncheon and mandatory meeting held in the SLCC Main Campus Student Center, Room 130 at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 23rd.  We will share a buffet lunch, discuss contest concerns, and distribute name badge packets / judge appreciation gifts.

Once again, we will be going paperless at the state conference, which means the contest updates, conference agenda, bus schedule, SLCC campus maps, contest schedule/building/room assignments, awards program, etc. are only available on our state website on our ULSC Page by CLICKING HERE

• *LET ME BE CLEAR*: We will not be printing maps or schedules at the state conference this year, so go to the state website and print your own documents before you leave for Salt Lake or view the documents electronically on your electronic device.

​ALTERNATES/SUBSTITUTIONS: The substitutions procedure this year will be different than previous years:

• If the student you are wishing to use as an alternate/substitute IS NOT a SkillsUSA Member, they cannot be utilized as Alternates.
• All Substitutions will be completed through myself (Angie Day - angelee.day@gmail.com) or the State Director (skillsusa.utahstatedirector@gmail.com) by:
  1. Emailing us the School Name, Contestant Name, and Contest Name of the Student that will be Dropping Out, and the School Name, Student's Name, and Contest Name for the Alternate you would like to use as a substitute.
  2. We will swap them out accordingly and send you a confirmation email when it is completed.

OBSERVERS: Observers will not be required to register this year.  If you have anyone that wishes to support the Contestants and our Organization, they are allowed to attend.
 
MODELS: Models will not be required to register for contests this year. Contestants that need a model will need to remember to bring someone with them.  It is preferred that the model be a Member of SkillsUSA, but it is not required.

LATE MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION POLICY:
We have had a few requests to utilize students registered as Members after March 1st, 2017 as Substitutions. They do not allow this on the National Level. However, we MAY allow them to compete on the State Level with the following Understanding:

1. They will not be able to qualify for a Gold Medal (Only Silver Medal and below), and will not be eligible to compete at Nationals.
2. We have attached the page out of our policy manual explaining this in more detail. It can also be found on our State Website by CLICKING HERE or copying the following link into your web browser: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/uploads/8/1/2/7/81273014/late_membership_registrant_policy_3-6-17.pdf

CAMPUS MAPS:
We have posted every campus map that we could find available for all contests locations on our ULSC page on our State Website. You can access them by

• 1ST CHECKING THE DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF YOUR CONTEST ON THE CONTEST STATUS SHEET! You’ll need to know what map you need. THEN
• CLICKING HERE and scrolling down. In the middle column, there is a ‘CAMPUS MAPS FOR CONTEST LOCATIONS’ Section, and opening the zip/pdf file pertaining to the campus your contest is located, and opening it.
  • UVU & DATC Campuses do not have Individual Building Maps, Only Campus Maps
  • All other campuses have the all of the contest building maps saved in a zip file that you can open and locate the campus and building map for your contest.
  • **If the map you are looking for is not available on our website, there wasn’t one for us to provide. Please arrive EARLY to give yourself plenty of time to locate the Building and Room number of your contest.
• You can also copy and paste the following link into your web browser to be routed to our ULSC page: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/2017-utah-leadership--skills-competition-ulsc.html

​CONTEST UPDATES
To view contest updates you can:

• Go to: http://2017contestupdates.blogspot.com/ OR
• Go to our State Website (www.utahskillsusa.org) and hover your mouse over the ‘CONFERENCES & EVENTS’ option on our top menu. This will produce a short drop down menu where you can locate and click ‘2017 CONTEST UPDATES’ OR
• Go to our ULSC Page (By CLICKING HERE)and click the GIANT RED BUTTON that says ‘2017 CONTEST UPDATES’

 
All Contest Updates for the 2017 SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Competition will be posted through this Page. On the right side of the page you can sign up to receive emails whenever a Contest is Updated. This will sign you up to receive emails for ALL contests. There is not a way to subscribe to a specific contest. If you do not want to receive emails, just check the page on your own, and often.
 
To view updates, click on the name of a specific contest to view updates for that contest. You can also Search for updates containing key words in the ‘Search’ box.

CONTEST STATUS SHEET - (This is the list of contests with the locations and times.)
The list of state conference contests and the proposed contest sites as presently constituted are available on the State Website ULSC Page by:

• Clicking the GIANT RED BUTTON that says, ‘CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE 2017 CONTEST STATUS SHEET’ in the middle of our ULSC Page OR
• CLICK HERE to be routed to our ULSC Page. OR
• Copy and paste the following link into your web browser: http://www.utahskillsusa.org/2017-utah-leadership--skills-competition-ulsc.html