World Finals FAQ
Updated 3/24/24
In addition to the Frequently Asked Questions on the national website, here are contributions from our collective TX experience:
Q: When will the team schedule be published?
The World Finals competition itself takes place over 3 days. Teams will often have long term one day and spontaneous another day. Teams compete from Wednesday morning (May 22, 2024) to Friday afternoon (May 24, 2024). The tentative competition schedule will be available on April 30th until Friday, May 3rd. The final competition schedule will be posted on Monday, May 7th.
Q: What to expect at the Opening Ceremonies?
A: This is an event that takes place in a large indoor stadium. It starts with a Parade of Nations, a little bit like the opening of the Olympic Games. First all international delegations, then each State in the U.S. (Texas comes towards the end). It is impressive to see so many countries sending teams to compete in the same problems as our teams.
Family members can also watch the livestreamed event from www.omworldfinals.com
Q: Who/ participates in the Opening Ceremony team parade?
A: One representative from each team can march in the parade. Usually, this is popular among younger team members. If a team declines to participate in the parade, they can still attend the event from their seats and allow younger team members to march with a buddy. Do not miss this exciting event! This is coordinated 2-3 weeks before WF.
The parade is usually restricted due to fire code restrictions. We are usually allocated 15-20 slots, including chaperones. Our WF Committee rep will organize an rsvp closer to the time. Division I/II students must be checked-in and checked out by the same person.
Q: Does one need a ticket for Opening Ceremony?
A: Yes. Everyone needs a ticket and they are free. Every team member and coach receive a ticket with their welcome packet. In addition, anyone else who has booked a housing package will receive a ticket in the same manner. All these pre-assigned tickets are usually in the Texas delegation seating area.
Visitors who stay in hotels are classified as "spectators". They must pick-up tickets in person, the morning of the ceremony at the Information Center (see site map). Spectators are seated where available, typically in the top section. If you want to sit with friends, you should get in line together.
Note: If you have extra tickets, please contact the TX Association Director to share with other TX teams. See contact list to be provided.
Q: What do we wear at the Opening Ceremony?
A: Anyone who marches in the parade must wear the 2024 TX Regional tie-dye t-shirt (with glow Lightning Bug). Anyone sitting in the TX delegation is requested to wear the same shirt, if you own one. Please remember to wear comfortable shoes - expect a lot of stadium stairs.
Q: Can I record my team's performance?
A: Yes, a recording area containing a stationary tripod is being taped off at each performance site.
Your team is allowed to designate one videographer who is allowed to enter the area and use the tripod to mount a recording device for your performance.
The tripod top will feature a standard screw-type camera mount (screw size is ¼ inch diameter, 20 threads per inch) with a removable clip that must be replaced at the end of each performance.
Please, follow these rules:
Only one person (videographer) may enter the area.
No one is allowed to move the tripod or the tape marking the area.
The videographer must leave the area when the team finishes its performance.
The clip on the tripod used to mount a camera must be in place when finished.
Please make sure the next team is able to use the tripod just as yours was able to use it.
Q: What is the Creativity Festival?
A: Think of a spontaneous workshop on steroids. This is a mini conference where each represented country or state has a booth. Some have activities, others test your skill or exhibit displays. There is also a giant (we are not exaggerating) trophy with the names of all the World Finals Ranatra Fusca winners over the years. You can also visit the amazing CCI pin collection.
Texas started the "Thank You Cards for Judges" booth in 2013 and it was endorsed by Sammy and received with great appreciation. We will continue this tradition, much like we do at HARO and State. TX Teams provide the volunteers (one adult per team) to man the booth for 2 days. If it is your turn, your team can consider going all together to visit the Creativity Festival and work the shift in turns. Wear a team T-shirt and take your team picture while you are at it!
The International Festival is hosted in the same location Friday (some years) and Saturday (limited hours). Foreign delegations have a small sales booth with souvenirs or products of their country. (Details to be confirmed for 2024)
Q: What is the Float and Banner Parade?
A: The F&B Parade is a fun non-competing event for all delegations. Each Country or Association (for us it is TXOM as a whole State organization) can choose to participate in this fun optional event.
Associations do not always participate in the F&B parade; it is contingent on resources and time to build an entry. Our WF Committee can choose to enter with EITHER a float or a banner representing Texas. This is typically coordinated during or immediately after the State tournament.
The event takes place on Wednesday evening, at the same location of the Opening Ceremonies. No tickets are needed for the F&B parade. It is free seating for all guests. Everyone can attend the Float & Banner Parade event, even if you are not marching in the parade.
Q: Who participates in the Float and Banner Parade?
A: For participating associations, one representative from each team can march in the parade (or a maximum of 25 persons, whichever is higher). Teams often send a different member than the Opening Ceremony but there is no rule.
Usually, this is popular among younger team members. If a team declines to participate in the parade, they can still attend the event from their seats and allow younger team members to march with a buddy. This is also coordinated 2-3 weeks before WF.
Note: If your team performs early Thursday morning, it is understandable to skip the event in favor of an early night.
Division I/II students must be checked-in and checked out by the same person.
Q: What do we wear at the Float and Banner Parade?
A: Anyone who marches in the parade must wear the 2024 State T-shirt (blue “For the sake of Creativity” shirt with the viking cow).
The same T-shirt is suggested for family members. There is no assigned seating, the atmosphere is looser at the F&B Parade.
Q: How is Spontaneous at WF?
A: All spontaneous problems will be held in the same building. Coaches are not permitted in the spontaneous problem rooms. One coach (or another adult assigned to the team) should accompany the team to the spontaneous building where they will be wait in the holding room. When coaches and teams report to the spontaneous building, the coaches will be informed where to wait for their teams when they are done. Parents wait outside the building until the team returns. The Spontaneous Holding Crew used to give coaches their tail - a “rite of passage”. Note: Silly string and confetti are forbidden, as is anything that makes a mess.
Remember, no-one can talk about the spontaneous problem until after the Awards Ceremony.
Q: What to expect at the Closing Ceremony?
A: At the closing (Awards) ceremony, International teams sit in the middle of the arena, U.S. teams sit in their delegation area. The ceremony includes a presentation of an annual Creativity and Spirit awards. This is a high-octane event. The media team present a potpourri of photos and video from around the competition. When the lights go off, lots of teams have lighted or colorful or sparkling items.
They announce the Awards by problem. 6th to 4th place are called out by problem to stand in their seats and be recognized. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and RF get awards.
For those who are not able to attend, check ahead of time the national website www.omworldfinals.com , there will be a live simultaneous webcast.
Q: Does one need a ticket for Closing Ceremony?
A: Yes. Everyone needs a ticket and the process is the same as for Opening Ceremonies. Tickets are pre-assigned to teams and housing package owners. Spectators who do not stay in campus housing must pick-up tickets in person, the morning of the ceremony, from the Information Center.
Very important: If you do not plan to use your Closing Ceremony tickets, please text the Association Director ahead of time (see contacts list) in order to ensure they are redistributed to other Texas teams and Officials. ALSO: you must plan to arrive early. It has happened before that we arrived and found other spectators who are using our seats and will not move.
Q: What do we wear at the Closing Ceremony?
A: Each state contingent proudly sports their shirts. Every state has different colored shirt and the effect in the arena is of a patchwork quilt. The reason we ask everyone to wear the same shirt is to maintain this effect and not break up our block of color!
Anyone who sits in the Texas delegation area must wear the 2024 WF t-shirt (Grey T-shirt: "Texas Prime Creativity”). Please do not wear this shirt at WF until that day. We like it to be a surprise.
When budget permits, we also provide teams with either a cowboy hat or a flashing gadget for effect. For 2024, we selected stovepipe funnyhats and texas blinkie pins. Please do not distribute the pins before that day. You can pull the tab to activate the battery
Please remember to wear comfortable shoes - expect a lot of stadium stairs.
Q: How about the "after Parties"?
A: After the closing ceremony, there are organized parties for each age group. Expect to send chaperones with the younger ones. There will be music, dancing, karaoke and the inevitable pin trading. Guess what, you see pin trading at the airport too, on the way out of town!!
The Coach Recovery Party is a ticketed event. Aptly named, it is an appreciation event for the coaches hard work. Do not miss it! Every coach needs a ticket to this event and the process is the same as for Opening Ceremonies. As we have requested for other ticketed events, please share your unused tickets with other Texas Officials and assistant coaches.
It is possible to purchase additional Party tickets from the souvenir sales.
Q: Do we need to make arrangements to return our props?
A: Not usually. Behind each venue are several large dumpsters. It has become OM tradition for teams to go straight to the "dumpster ceremony" where they discard all the props that they have carried around for 6+ months. This brings a closure and eliminates the temptation for younger ones to bring back bulky souvenirs. Of course, it is up to you if you wish to bring anything back.
Q: Tips from experienced WF coaches:
A: For younger team members, consider preparing name badges on lanyards. You can find them in office supplies stores. Include all team adult contacts. Members should wear them at all times. The ones with a pocket or zipper allows them to also store important valuables and keys.
A: Create a team luggage tag out of bright colored card stock. List the team, school and coach contact information on one side. Make 5 per person minimum. Put one tag on EVERYTHING going: luggage, backpacks, pin towels, purses, cameras, guitars, hats. You can write with a permanent marker the owners first name (only) on the back of the tag. Parents can sweep a spot as you leave and quickly grab leftover items. Lost items will find you quicker. Laminate the tags if you have access to a laminator or use packing tape. Use a rubber band to attach them.
A: For teams staying in the dorms: attach a small tag to each team members' dorm key with the coach name and cell phone so that lost keys can find their way back (caution: no student or room number on it). You can get such key tags at dollar stores. Lost room keys will incur a $100+ fine to the person assigned the key.
A: For teams staying in the dorms: Prepare team paper door signs with team name and initials only for the two residents. It will ensure you are knocking on the right door. Be careful to use removable tape (masking tape works better) in order to avoid scarring door paint.
A: For younger team members, consider down time each day. Whether it is a dip in the pool (pack swimsuits), a walk around town, of just games in a dorm room. A regular bedtime is important, even if 10 pm is later than usual. Use your parental best judgment. Just like an amusement park: you do not need to participate in every single event.
A: Ask your dining hall on the first day whether they can provide packed lunches. They may require advance notice, but it will save you some time to avoid trekking back to the dining hall during the day.
A: Coach: Have any parents and guests meet you on campus. Do not waste time looking for parents or family. The teams come first. It is their experience.
A: For teams staying off-campus: Do not under-estimate the time it takes to park, get on a shuttle and cross campus. Especially on competition day and before evening events.
A: Your housing package (or registration fee) allow you to use some of the hosting school's facilities (pool, sports, games, climbing wall, etc.).
A: how do I pack my child’s pins? At most airports, TSA will allow pin towels in a carry-on bag, but they may ask that you remove them and send them through the x-ray machine separately. This varies by airport and ultimately TSA has the final say, but in the past, they have been willing to let them through security. You may need to explain “I am going to an international conference; pin trading is a part of the culture there, etc.” When you are returning to Texas, you should expect to see lots of last-minute pin trading at the airport gates!