2018 High School National Championship Tournament Logistics Information

The 2018 High School National Championship Tournament (HSNCT), powered by LetterOne, was held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 25–27, 2018. The 2017 HSNCT was also held at this site.

The HSNCT is NAQT’s overall high school championship event. NAQT also runs a Small School National Championship Tournament for small high schools. Make sure you are looking at information for the proper tournament. (Qualified small schools are welcome to attend the HSNCT, even if they also attend the SSNCT!)

Contents

    Date

    May 25–27, 2018 (Friday–Sunday). This is Memorial Day weekend.

    Participants will check in on Friday, May 25 and have the opportunity to meet each other and play scrimmage games. As an alternative to the scrimmage matches, teams may also participate in the ACRONYM popular culture tournament on Friday evening.

    The tournament’s preliminary games will take place throughout Saturday and on Sunday morning, and its playoff games will take place on Sunday afternoon and evening. Teams may arrive earlier or stay later to explore Atlanta at the discounted hotel rates negotiated by NAQT. Teams that cannot arrive on Friday night will have a chance to check in on Saturday.

    Presenting Sponsor

    NAQT is thrilled to have LetterOne as the presenting sponsor of the 2018 HSNCT (and the 2018 ICT). LetterOne is a partnership of successful entrepreneurs and former CEOs aiming to create one of the world's pre-eminent international investment firms. LetterOne believes quiz bowl encourages the team-based, innovative thinking that is valuable to the next generation of business leaders in the face of a new industrial revolution in which social media, robotics, 3D manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and new trade corridors are altering the landscape.

    Location

    The Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the official hotel, and it contains all of the competition rooms.

    Schedule

    This schedule was last updated on May 20 and is final.

    This schedule is tentative.

    All times are listed in Eastern time.

    Friday Evening

    Time Event Location Area
    1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Early Buzzer Bonus intakeImperial Ballroom Registration Desk Marquis Level
    5:00 p.m. (or upon arrival) Staff check-inImperial Ballroom A Marquis Level
    5:00 – 11:00 p.m. ACRONYM popular culture tournamentM301 Foyer Marquis Level
    6:00 – 9:30 p.m. Team check-inMarquis Ballroom Foyer Marquis Level
    6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Scrimmage rounds (optional)A708 Registration Desk Atrium Level

    Saturday: Morning Session

    Time Event Location Area
    7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Late-arrival team check-inMarquis Ballroom Foyer Marquis Level
    7:30 – 8:45 a.m. Staff check-in and meetingImperial Ballroom A Marquis Level
    8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Players' and coaches' meetingMarquis Ballroom ABC Marquis Level
    9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Morning Session (Rounds 1–7)Throughout the hotel
    12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. Team photography (for Afternoon Session teams)Marquis Level central foyer Marquis Level
    1:30 – 3:00 p.m. LunchOn your own

    Saturday: Afternoon Session

    Time Event Location Area
    9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Late-arrival team check-inInformation Desk (Marquis Registration) Marquis Level
    2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Players' and coaches' meetingMarquis Ballroom ABC Marquis Level
    3:00 – 7:30 p.m. Afternoon Session (Rounds 8–14)Throughout the hotel
    3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Team photography (for Morning Session teams)Marquis Level central foyer Marquis Level

    Sunday

    Time Event Location Area
    8:00 – 11:30 a.m. Last preliminary games (Rounds 15–20)Throughout the hotel
    11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Consolation mini-tournament signupInformation Desk (Marquis Registration) Marquis Level
    11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. LunchOn your own
    1:15 – 1:30 p.m. Individual award ceremony and playoff bracket unveilingMarquis Ballroom ABC Marquis Level
    1:15 p.m. Playoff/consolation staff check-inImperial Ballroom Marquis Level
    1:30 p.m. Playoff pairings postedInformation Desk (Marquis Registration) Marquis Level
    1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Playoff card pickupImperial Ballroom Registration Desk Marquis Level
    2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Playoffs (Rounds 21–27)Throughout the hotel
    2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Consolation roundsA708 Registration Desk Atrium Level
    6:00 – 7:00 p.m. DinnerOn your own
    7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Playoffs (Rounds 28–29)Ballrooms
    7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Buzzer ReturnImperial Ballroom Registration Desk Marquis Level
    8:15 p.m. Finals (one or two games)Marquis Ballroom ABC Marquis Level
    After finals AwardsMarquis Ballroom ABC Marquis Level
    After awards Packet set distributionImperial Ballroom Registration Desk Marquis Level

    On Saturday, teams will be assigned to either the Morning Session or the Afternoon Session of games. Each team will either play seven games between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (and then have the afternoon off) or will play seven games between 3:00 and 7:30 p.m. (having had the morning off).

    On Saturday morning teams should be in the Marquis Ballroom by 7:55 a.m. if they are playing in the Morning Session and by 1:55 p.m. if they are playing in the Afternoon Session.

    A printable Time and Place Guide is available.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    NAQT has prepared answers to frequently asked questions about its national championships.

    Information Desk

    Starting Friday evening, NAQT will operate an Information Desk at the Marquis Registration Desk on the Marquis Level. The Information Desk should be the first destination for any questions about or issues with the tournament (other than protests, which must be lodged within the game room). NAQT will also be selling practice material at the Information Desk.

    Participants may also text 213‑279‑6278 (“NAQT”) with questions if it is inconvenient for them to get to the Information Desk (standard messaging rates apply). Tournament staff will answer incoming messages as quickly as they can.

    In general, lost-and-found items will be taken to the Information Desk during the tournament. We will notify owners to the extent we can identify them. At the end of the tournament, any unclaimed items will be brought to the hotel’s general lost-and-found.

    Rules and Eligibility

    Gameplay will follow the Official NAQT Rules. Player eligibility is governed by the High School Eligibility Rules.

    Qualification

    Schools qualify to send teams to the HSNCT through their performance at tournaments using NAQT questions throughout the year.

    Registration has closed.

    The field has historically filled. Receiving an invitation to the tournament does not guarantee a spot in the field; it merely allows your team to register for a spot if one is available. Once you have qualified, you should register as soon as you can to ensure your team a spot in the tournament. Last year, the field filled around March 1 (though some teams were promoted from the waitlist after that).

    Field

    These teams attended the tournament.

    Format

    The participating teams will be divided into two Sessions (Morning and Afternoon) for the Saturday preliminary rounds. Those two groups of teams will compete separately on Saturday, but they will be merged for each team’s final three preliminary games on Sunday morning.

    Teams are guaranteed exactly ten preliminary matches; seven of those will be played on Saturday (with each team competing either during the Morning Session or the Afternoon Session), and the final three will be played on Sunday morning.

    Those matches will be determined by power-matching, so that teams with similar records will be playing each other in every round. Every team with a winning record (6–4 or better) will advance to the playoffs. The elimination playoffs will be held on Sunday; teams that finished 7–3 or better in the preliminary games can lose once without being eliminated (and will be eliminated upon their second loss); teams that finished 6–4 in the preliminary games will be eliminated by a single loss.

    The 2018 HSNCT Format Guide (PDF) provides a more in-depth discussion of the format. There are slight changes from last year in how the final, cross-bracket games in the playoffs will be handled.

    Registration and Fees

    Registration has closed.

    The registration fee is $675 per team if payment is received on or before May 4, 2018. The fee is $695 per team on or after May 5, 2018. Schools that first qualified after April 1 have until May 11 to register at the lower rate. Registration will close on May 18, but the field may fill earlier.

    Cancellation

    One week after the field first filled (and the waitlist started), which was February 26, 2018, teams who withdraw from the tournament will be liable for 50% of the base registration fee as a cancellation penalty. In addition, regardless of the field status, teams who cancel on or after April 15 will be liable for 10% of the base registration fee; teams who cancel on or after May 1 will be liable for 50% of the base registration fee; and teams who cancel on or after May 20 will be liable for 75% of the base registration fee. Those deadlines notwithstanding, every team will have a one-week grace period from the date of registration, during which cancellation incurs no penalty.

    The registration fee only covers participation in the tournament. It does not cover transportation, lodging, food or other expenses.

    Buzzer Discounts

    Teams who bring a working buzzer system to the tournament will be eligible for a $20 discount on the registration fee if it meets NAQT’s national-championship standards. There may be some surprises in that policy! Please read it in advance to make sure your system qualifies.

    Unless otherwise approved by NAQT, no team may receive more than two buzzer-system discounts.

    Timing

    NAQT will only award the discount for buzzer systems that it receives by 9:30 p.m. Friday and may keep until 7:00 p.m. Sunday; if you cannot commit to those times, do not register to bring a buzzer system!

    Early Buzzer Bonus

    NAQT will pay a $20 cash “Early Buzzer Bonus” for each discount-receiving buzzer system dropped off between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Friday at the Imperial Ballroom Registration Desk. This is in addition to the discount mentioned above, is specifically for dropping it off during that time, and will only be paid in cash between those exact times.

    Buzzer Return

    NAQT will begin returning team-provided buzzer systems at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Imperial Ballroom Registration Desk (and not before, except in emergencies). As mentioned above, this might make it impractical for teams planning to leave as soon as they are eliminated to receive buzzer-system discounts (as their systems will not have been returned at that point). Buzzer return will stay open until 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. If a team knows in advance they will be unable to pick up their buzzer system in time, they should make special arrangements at check-in; barring other arrangements, unclaimed buzzer systems will be left with the hotel bell desk.

    Other Discounts

    Teams attending both the HSNCT and the SSNCT will receive a $100 discount on their HSNCT entrance fee.

    Teams may earn a discount by providing a staff member for each of the following time periods:

    • Saturday Morning Session (rounds 1–7, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
    • Saturday Afternoon Session (rounds 8–14, 3:00 – 7:30 p.m.
    • Sunday morning preliminary games (rounds 15–20, 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
    • Sunday afternoon playoff/consolation rounds (rounds 21–27, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.)

    The discount is $25 per person per time period.

    Team-provided staff will not have a chance to watch their team’s matches. The transportation, lodging, and all other expenses of team-provided staff members will be borne by the team, not by NAQT. Teams that provide staff must still be chaperoned at all times; a chaperone cannot also be a member of tournament staff.

    Team-provided staff may be assigned as scorekeepers, control room staff, scoresheet checkers, or other roles at NAQT’s discretion. They will be required to complete an online training course. In addition to those “trained” positions, NAQT needs a limited number of untrained “runners.” Runner positions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams wishing to supply a runner must make this request on their registration and receive confirmation from NAQT. All team-provided staff members are subject to NAQT’s approval.

    Schools may also earn discounts on their HSNCT registration by providing staff members for NAQT’s other national championships: the Community College Championship Tournament, Intercollegiate Championship Tournament, Small School National Championship Tournament, and Middle School National Championship Tournament according to our cross-tournament discount program. All four of these tournaments will be held in Chicago in 2018.

    The last day for a team to declare that it is bringing a staff member is April 20. Team-provided staff members suggested after that date may be accepted or rejected at NAQT’s discretion.

    Teams that cancel a staff member (of any kind) on or after April 21 will not only forfeit the discount, but will be charged a $100 penalty to offset NAQT’s cost for finding a last-minute replacement.

    Payment

    Payment is due by the beginning of the tournament. NAQT strongly prefers payment prior to tournament check-in but also accepts payments at check-in. Schools that will be unable to pay by this time (typically for reasons related to school bureaucracies) should discuss their situation with NAQT well in advance.

    NAQT may specify earlier payment deadlines for specific teams, especially those for which the school is not paying.

    NAQT will send invoices well in advance of the tournament. If you would like to pay or request an invoice earlier, once you have entered all the information that can affect costs (but not necessarily entered your roster), at the bottom of your registration page, click “View Cost.” Verify that the listed information is correct, and if so, follow the instructions to request an invoice so that we have the proper billing information. You will also be offered the opportunity to pay by credit card.

    Checks, payable to “NAQT,” should be sent to

    National Academic Quiz Tournaments, LLC
    11521 W 69th St
    Shawnee, KS 66203–3749

    Please send questions about billing to billing@naqt.com.

    Chaperones

    Every team must have a chaperone, subject to the following rules:

    Teams who wish to request a variance from the chaperone policy should write to NAQT at hsnct@naqt.com well in advance of the tournament to discuss their situation.

    Session Assignments

    Unlike in past years, there will be two Sessions of play on Saturday; this will effectively group each team’s byes together to allow it a longer block of time for sightseeing.

    Each team will be assigned to either the Morning or Afternoon Session on Saturday; this determines whether it plays its first seven preliminary games in the Morning (9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) or the Afternoon (3:00 – 7:30 p.m.). The two groups will be merged for each team’s final three preliminary games on Sunday morning.

    Each team may request a specific Session when it registers, but these assignments are not guaranteed. NAQT does make the following guarantees:

    Checking In

    The primary check-in period will be from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. in the Marquis Foyer (on the Marquis Level) on Friday, May 25. During this period NAQT will distribute information folders, answer questions, process payments, verify rosters, and take care of other administrative matters. There are “late” check-in periods on Saturday, but NAQT would prefer that as many teams as possible check-in on Friday night.

    To check in, each team should send only one coach to the check-in area. That person will be given the team’s information folder. Others should not enter the check-in area.

    In past years there has been a long line just after check-in opens, so we encourage teams to keep an eye on the line and send one person to check in when the line is short. There is no need to check in immediately. In particular, it is not necessary to check in before playing scrimmage games.

    Remember that NAQT is paying an additional Early Buzzer Bonus of $20 for buzzer systems that are dropped off between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Friday at the Imperial Ballroom Registration Desk. Regardless of when you choose to check in, please consider dropping off your systems during this time period to earn extra money and to help us make sure we have everything ready in time.

    Team-provided staff members should check in in Imperial Ballroom A (Marquis Level) at 5:00 p.m. (or as soon as possible after they arrive, assuming they arrive before 9:30 p.m.).

    Teams that don’t arrive at the hotel until after 9:30 p.m. on Friday may check in between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. in the Marquis Ballroom Foyer (Marquis Level) if they are in the Morning Session. Teams in the Afternoon Session may check in between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Information Desk. Teams that checked in on Friday do not need to check in again on Saturday.

    Scrimmages

    Between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. on Friday night, game rooms will be set up for teams to scrimmage against each other on questions from previous championships and/or the regular season. This scrimmaging is free and will be moderated by tournament staff.

    Teams that want to participate in the scrimmages should go to the A708 Registration Desk on the Atrium Level. A team does not need to have checked in to be allowed to scrimmage.

    Scrimmages will be organized by means of “scrimmage tickets”: When a team shows up to the scrimmage desk, it will be given a ticket listing a room and a time; that team should go to that room and be prepared to play at that time. The majority of tickets will be for games that start within 5 to 15 minutes, but it is possible that there could be a 30-to-45-minute wait during the busiest periods. If a team wants to play another game, it should return to the scrimmage desk to get another ticket after its game finishes.

    Scrimmages are open to all players, including alternates and standby teams.

    In light of the ACRONYM popular-culture tournament taking place at the same time (and the increase in overall championship size), scrimmages will be scaled back in scope from previous years. In particular, teams new to the tournament will be guaranteed three games, and other teams will be guaranteed a single scrimmage match). For this purpose, a “new” team is one whose school has never attended the tournament before or that last attended in 2013 or earlier. Additional games will be allocated based on availability.

    Awards

    The top 50 teams will each receive a team trophy, and the members of those teams will receive individual awards (up to five per team).

    The top 40 individual scorers will receive All-Star awards, the top 10 freshmen will receive Rising Star Awards, and the top 10 sophomores will receive Rising Star Awards. These awards will be determined by points per tossup heard, in the preliminary rounds only, among players who heard at least 120 tossups (approximately six games’ worth). Players in eighth grade and below are not eligible for Rising Star awards.

    Team trophies (and the individual trophies for their members) for teams that finished tied for 8th place or below will be handed out immediately following the game in which the team is eliminated (in the game room, by the moderators). The trophies for the top seven teams will be given out at the Awards Ceremony.

    Unlike in past years, the All-Star and Rising Star awards will be given out at a separate ceremony in the Marquis Ballroom at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, just before the bracket unveiling.

    If a team needs to leave prior to the awards ceremony, it can go to the Information Desk to get its trophy and any individual awards earned by its members.

    Consolation Games

    Teams who do not qualify for the playoffs are encouraged to return after lunch on Sunday to play consolation games on the playoff questions. These games will be moderated by tournament staff.

    Two kinds of consolation rounds will be offered:

    If rooms, buzzers, or staff run short, mini-tournaments will be given priority over ad hoc games.

    Consolation games have no effect on a team’s final rank in the tournament. They are played solely for fun.

    Apparel and Souvenirs

    HSNCT merchandise, including T-shirts and other apparel, is available through Fine Designs, the Official Event Merchandiser of the 2018 High School National Championship Tournament.

    Two HSNCT-specific designs are available on a variety of apparel. They can be ordered through Fine Designs’ website for immediate shipping. The former, Hamilton-themed design can also be ordered on plain white T-shirts (only) through NAQT’s registration system for $15 per shirt; such orders will be available for pickup at Fine Designs’ kiosk during the HSNCT. Both designs will also be available, along with other merchandise, for on-site purchase and customization.

    The 2018 HSNCT Hamilton t-shirt design
     
    The 2018 HSNCT crossed buzzers t-shirt design

    All shirts will have LetterOne’s logo on the back.

    ACRONYM Popular Culture Side Event

    NAQT has arranged with Erik Nelson of Play Quiz Bowl to host a mirror of its ACRONYM popular culture tournament as a “side event” on Friday evening. This event is not part of the official championship and is entirely optional.

    The mirror is open to all people at the national championship including players, coaches, parents, and staff (assuming they haven’t played the ACRONYM 11 question set at a prior tournament!). People affiliated with schools may mix-and-match to form chimera teams. There is a separate registration fee ($90) for the ACRONYM mirror. Most side events have a lenient registration policy that allows teams to sign up immediately prior to an event’s start, but NAQT suspects that the ACRONYM field will fill (and thus encourages teams to register as soon as they can commit).

    The tournament will have two divisions, one for teams composed entirely of high schoolers and another that is open to all competitors (of any age).

    More information about the side event has been posted on hsquizbowl.org. Questions about ACRONYM should be directed to Erik Nelson.

    Registration for ACRONYM is now open. If you are registering a mixed team or a team that wants to play under a nonstandard name, you may need to create a new organization, affiliate yourself with it as a coach, and then register under its name.

    Photography

    The official tournament photographer will be taking posed photos of participating teams in the central foyer of the Marquis Level on Saturday. Afternoon Session teams should visit during Rounds 6–7 (approximately 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.), and Morning Session teams should visit during Rounds 8–9 (3:00 to 4:15 p.m.) This is optional (and there is a charge for images and/or prints). Photos are great mementos or gifts for coaches, parents, and other fans or family members.

    Transportation

    Flights

    Participants should fly into Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (airport code ATL).

    Ground Transportation

    The hotel does not operate a shuttle to or from the airport.

    NAQT recommends that participants take the MARTA train to reach the tournament. It is safe and convenient; there are also taxi and shuttle options, but MARTA will probably be the easiest and cheapest way to travel. It is approximately a 20-minute trip.

    Taking the MARTA train costs $5 per person round trip (plus $2 per person for a reusable Breeze Card). To reach the Marriott Marquis, take a northbound Red Line or Gold Line train (it doesn’t matter which one) from the airport to Peachtree Center Station (one stop north of the Five Points transfer station). After getting off the train, take the escalator labeled “John Portman Blvd.” to the mezzanine, then follow the signs to “Peachtree Street East” after walking through the fare gate. At street level, turn right (north) on Peachtree Street then right (east) on John Portman Boulevard. The hotel is one block down at the intersection of John Portman Boulevard and Peachtree Center Avenue. Here is a map of the walking directions. Between roughly 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., you can also walk through the Peachtree Center mall and cross the skyway to the Marriott Marquis.

    Driving Directions

    The hotel’s address is 265 Peachtree Center Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia.

    Parking

    For participants who booked rooms at the Marriott Marquis as part of NAQT’s block, parking standard vehicles at the tournament hotel is $16/day, including in-and-out privileges. The hotel only offers valet parking, so participants should be prepared to hand over their keys in exchange for a valet ticket when they reach the hotel. You will need this ticket (and your room number) to retrieve your car. Note that parked cars will not be easily accessible, so participants should remove everything they will need before parking. To park at the hotel, bring your car to the front drive or the motor lobby entrance.

    Large vans may be parked at the hotel for $50/day. Buses cannot be parked in the hotel lot. The hotel has provided a list of nearby lots that allow bus parking. Buses can drop off at the hotel, but they will need to park elsewhere.

    Participants who booked rooms at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis outside of NAQT’s block are not guaranteed NAQT’s parking rate or in-and-out privileges.

    Participants who park at the hotel but are not staying overnight at the tournament hotel (either because they are staying at a different hotel or because they are driving from a local residence) will need to get a sticker from the NAQT Information Desk to apply to their valet ticket before attempting to retrieve their car (if they want NAQT’s group rate). With this sticker on their valet ticket, they will be asked to pay the parking fee in cash when they first retrieve their car on a given day. For subsequent trips on the same day, participants may show a receipt from the first payment (to avoid having to pay again) and do not need to get another sticker for subsequent valet tickets.

    Despite the in-and-out privileges, retrieving cars will be rather slow. Participants are encouraged to explore the Atlanta area, but also to plan for delays in retrieving their vehicles.

    In case the hotel’s parking garage fills, overflow self-parking is available at the SunTrust Plaza Garage, which is connected to the tournament hotel by a skyway. The overflow lot does not offer in-and-out privileges (i.e., you must pay every time you take your car out). Parking at the overflow lot costs $15 for any part of a day and $25 for overnight parking.

    If you park for part of a day in the overflow lot, you must go to the Marriott’s valet desk (not the NAQT Information Desk) to purchase a sticker to be applied to your ticket. This sticker will allow you to retrieve your car from the SunTrust lot at no additional charge. If you do not get a sticker from the Marriott’s valet desk, you will be charged the SunTrust’s standard rates (which could be much more).

    If you park overnight in the overflow lot, you will be charged $25/day when you exit the lot. In this case, there is no need to get a sticker from the Marriott’s valet desk (as that is only useful for getting the discounted day-parking rate).

    Hotel

    The official hotel for the tournament is full.

    The official hotel for the tournament is the Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel. Quadruple-occupancy rooms (with two double beds) are available for $109 per night. To receive that rate, book online or mention “NAQT” when making a reservation over the phone. The last day to reserve rooms at this special price is May 9. Note that there are several Marriott hotels in the Atlanta area; make sure you are reserving rooms at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis downtown!

    We have a room block that is calculated to cover the entire tournament, but we encourage teams to reserve their rooms as early as possible; if we end up needing more space, we would like as much time as possible to negotiate that!

    As part of the contract negotiated by NAQT, the hotel will offer complimentary guest room Internet access to tournament participants and their families. This only applies to rooms booked using the NAQT group code.

    The standard check-out time at the Marriott Marquis is 11:00 a.m. Teams that are not staying Sunday night should make sure to check out of their rooms before their Sunday-morning preliminary games.

    Food

    The hotel is connected by skyway to a food court at Peachtree Center with about two dozen restaurants offering a variety of affordable meals (sandwiches, Thai food, pizza, Chinese food, cheesesteaks, etc.). There are also restaurants in the hotel itself, and more within walking distance, that should satisfy any combination of appetite and price range.

    To get to the food court…

    1. Go to the Atrium Level of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
    2. Go toward the side that Rooms A701–A708 are on (the opposite side from the Hilton Atlanta).
    3. Take the walkway to Marquis Tower II and the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, just past the men’s restroom and before Room A708.
    4. Turn left and cross the skybridge to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
    5. Once inside the Hyatt’s atrium, turn left. Follow the signs to Radius Tower and Peachtree Center.
    6. Cross the skybridge to Peachtree Center.
    7. Explore the food court. There are more parts of it than might first be apparent!

    Advocate Program

    Because NAQT believes that quiz bowl is an activity for everybody, and in which all participants should feel welcome and respected, we have established the Advocate Program to make sure select tournament staff are available to hear reports about problematic behavior and comments by anyone at the tournament.

    Staff wearing blue ribbons that say “Advocate” have been specifically selected to receive reports about inappropriate behavior (as opposed to run-of-the-mill questions about the quiz bowl aspects of the tournament). At least one such staff member will generally be available at the Information Desk during tournament hours; if no such person is available (e.g., due to being on a break), the other Information Desk staff can be asked to have a senior tournament official come to the Information Desk to hear the report. Additional Advocate Program staff will be available in many places around the tournament site.

    Feedback about problematic behavior can, of course, always be sent to NAQT by email (advocate@naqt.com) or other channels such as the Misconduct Reporting Form, but the Advocate Program is intended to allow for in-person reporting of sensitive complaints on-site so they can be handled immediately.

    Reports are confidential to the extent permitted by law and NAQT’s agreements to share critical information with other quiz bowl organizations.

    Practice Material

    Participants may be interested in practicing on questions from previous years to prepare for the event. All of NAQT’s past regular-season sets are available, as are the sets from previous championships.

    Participants may also want to study frequency lists, Power Up study guides, and/or Thumbs Up! question anthologies. These are also available on our practice materials page.

    Finally, participants may want to look at the information contained in NAQT’s free You Gotta Know articles before the tournament. These detail the most frequently asked-about question topics in a wide variety of areas.

    Spectators

    Spectators are welcome to attend any part of the tournament (though some areas may have limited capacity).

    No registration or tickets are required for spectators.

    Sightseeing

    The hotel is downtown and within walking distance (10–15 minutes) of many of Atlanta’s major attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, the High Museum, Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

    Social Media

    The official hashtag for the tournament is hsnct; please use this tag for all posts about the tournament.

    Remember that question content for the championship cannot be posted online (or shared through other channels)! This means that players, coaches, spectators, and moderators should not discuss clues, answers, or even overall themes (e.g., “Lots of opera”) with people on other teams (even those from the same school).

    Livebloggers will cover the tournament on NAQT’s social media, especially Twitter (@NAQTLive) and Instagram (@NAQTqb).

    As a prelude to the 20th edition of the HSNCT, NAQT is releasing 20for20, a series of 20 interviews with people with significant past and present roles in the HSNCT, in the 20 weeks leading up to the tournament.

    Relationship to the SSNCT

    Small schools are eligible and welcome to attend the HSNCT (if qualified), regardless of whether they attend the Small School National Championship Tournament. The SSNCT and HSNCT will use different question sets, and a school that attends both will receive a $100 discount on its HSNCT registration fee.

    Further Questions

    To ask specific questions about the HSNCT, write to hsnct@naqt.com.

    We look forward to answering any and all questions, no matter how expansive or trivial, in the hopes of eliminating any possible confusion or mistakes in participants’ plans. If something’s not clear, let us know!

    2018 High School National Championship Tournament

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