6/18/2018 MESSAGE

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