ITEM 6  -  REFUNDS

Refunds will be extended only in the event of extenuating circumstances. Contact the Executive Director in advance of the conference if you are in doubt. No Refunds after: March 8, 2013.

ITEM 7  -  HOTEL POOL

The hotel has a swimming pool. Encourage students to bring swimsuits. A reminder--SkillsUSA members will be subject to the same "Pool Rules" as other guests of the hotel.

ITEM 8  -  CONFERENCE OBSERVERS

Student Observers must be officially registered, pay the $50 registration fee, follow all the rules and regulations of the conference, and be chaperoned by an adult advisor.

ITEM 9 -  CONFERENCE GUESTS PASSES FOR SUNDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET

Advisors or students who wish to have a guest attend the Awards Breakfast must register those guests by March 1, 2013. For $35.00, paid in advance, a guest will receive a name badge that will allow them entrance to the Sunday morning breakfast buffet and awards ceremony. Use the Guest Registration form located on the website for advanced registration. Limited Breakfast Guest passes will be available at the conference for $35.00 through the alumni committee. No guest passes will be sold at conference headquarters.

ITEM 10 -  AWARDS FOR COMPETITIVE EVENTS

First (gold), second (silver), and third (bronze) place medallion will be awarded for each competitive event. It is mandatory that all competitors attend the awards ceremony. Students not present will forfeit any award, medallion, and the right to compete at the national level. If a student has a legitimate excuse for not attending the ceremony, the Executive Director must be notified in advance, in writing and an alternate student selected to receive any awards that might be earned. Please provide the Executive Director with the name of the alternate.

ADVISORS: Please remember that Students and Advisors should all dress in Official Dress or Professional Business attire for the Awards Ceremony! NO JEANS, T-Shirts or TENNIS SHOES are allowed! Let's show our Business/Industry Partners, School Administrators, Family and Friends the First Class Organization that we are. We are "Champions at Work"!

ITEM 11  -  CONTEST REGISTRATION

Contest Registration needs to be submitted by using the newly redesigned state conference Excel Spreadsheet. Simply fill it out and send it electronically to the state SkillsUSA office. Please look for the “NEW” document and follow the instructions carefully. You will also notice that there is a “NEW” Contest Grid Chart for all (87) contests. The Grid Chart provides you with an overview of the number of contestants/contest, whether it is a team or individual contest, contest codes, notebook requirements, etc. Due to limited equipment and space at a host school, contests will have a maximum number of contestants a school can register. Please provide a local competition for your students, judged by industry; to determine which students will best represent your local chapter in each area.

ITEM 12 - THEME FOR THE 2013 CONTESTS

The SkillsUSA competition theme for the 2012-2013 school year is SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, "Prepared with the Skills America Needs".

The topic to be addressed by contestants in the Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board contests is how our theme, SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, "Prepared with the SKILLS America needs" relates to our national program of work in the area of Professional Development.

Within this topic, contestants might illustrate or discuss any of the following:

• Based on research from employers, what skills do Americans need?
• How does SkillsUSA provide the skills needed?
• How does participation in SkillsUSA provide members an edge in the workforce?
• How does involvement in SkillsUSA provide a competitive edge to America in the global economy?
• By participating in SkillsUSA events, how will you be more marketable in the workforce?
• What do SkillsUSA members need to do to be prepared?
• What skills have you gained through SkillsUSA that will make you prepared to enter your chosen field?
• How does SkillsUSA continue to adapt to prepare students with these needed skills?
• What principles was America founded on, how are those still relevant today?
• Why do American citizens need to have a variety of skills?
• How do we establish an attitude of life-long learning through the SkillsUSA programs?
• What is the American workforce projected to look like when you graduate, how does this impact your plans?