CoolStuffCon: Dallas 2026

On May 15th-17th Cool Stuff Inc is headed to Dallas for it’s second CoolStuffCon. This event will feature a mix of Regular and Competitive REL events with a little Riftbound sprinkled in, so its sure to have something for everyone.

Please read the application carefully before you decide to apply, and answer any questions asked in the application process. The application window will close at: Feb 28th 23:59 PST   And staffing announcements will be made on Mar 10th.  Early Acceptance may be granted for individuals who need to make significant travel plans.

We will be taking applications for Registration/Player Check-in, Prize Wall, Scorekeeper, Judge, Head Judge, and Judge Leads positions, in any combination of 1, 2, or 3 day positions.

Days:

Cool Stuff Events: Dallas will span 3 days (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) and as such you have opportunities to apply for one day positions (Saturday Only), Two Day positions (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun) and Three Day Positions (Fri/Sat/Sun).

When filling out the application, please select all combinations you are applying for.  For example, if you are able to work two or three days, select all those options, however if you can only make the event work if you are accepted for all three days, then please select only the Fri/Sat/Sun option. Note: Due to the way player attendance works, there is less of a need for judges on Fridays and Sundays.

Schedule:

While the schedule is not finalized yet, the expected shift durations are listed below.  Shifts will include a 1 hour break and at least one additional 30 min break. The Friday shift will begin no earlier than 8:00 AM. The Sunday shift will end no later than 8:00pm.  (Odds of starting later or ending earlier is high, I just want to allow folks to make travel plans.)

• Judge: 10-12 Hours

• Judge Lead: 12-14 Hours

• Scorekeeper: 12-14 Hours

• Registration/Check-in: - 10-12 Hours

• Prize Wall: 12-14 Hours

Travel Sponsorship

For this event, there is a limited amount of travel sponsorships available.  You may request between $50-$200.  If your application is dependent on receiving Travel Sponsorship, please explicitly state that as part of the application.  If you receive such a sponsorship, the offer will be included with your acceptance offer.

Roles:

You may apply for multiple roles, and you may have multiple roles over the weekend.  Compensation for the roles is based on expected responsibility and shift duration.

Floor Judges

If selected for a Judging role, you may be asked to perform duties in one or more of the following areas:

• Head Judge a Scheduled Event

• Judge Scheduled Events

• Judge On-Demand Events

• Perform Judge Related tasks such as prepare product, distribute product, perform end of round.

Compensation: $275/Day

Head Judges - RCQ/CEDH/Riftbound

At CoolStuffCon there will be at least one RCQ, CEDH and Riftbound Tournament.
If selected for Head Judge role, you may be asked to perform duties in one or more of the following areas:

• Head Judge an event of 100-150 players

• Manage a small team of Floor Judges

• Perform Investigations and handle appeals

• Communicate with Scorekeepers, Administrators, and other Leads.

Compensation: $325/Day 

Judge Leads  

As a Lead, you may be asked to perform duties in one or more of the following areas:

• Lead On Demand Events

• Lead Scheduled Side Events

• Lead a Kickstarter Team

• Floor Judge

• Develop Break Schedule

• Communicate with Scorekeepers, Administrators, and other Leads.

Compensation: $375/Day

Registration/Player Check-in

If selected as an Registration/Check-in, you will assist with player check in at the start of the day.  You will transition to the role of Floor Judge mid-shift.  Player check-in is a role that both starts and ends earlier than a floor judge role

• Player Registration

• Player Check-in

• Swag Preparation

• Other Administrative Tasks

• Based on need/player volume, Registration may transition to role of Floor Judge mid-shift.

Compensation: $275/Day

Scorekeepers

As a scorekeeper, you will be expected to bring practical, hands on experience managing multiple events with Eventlink, and at least one event in both Carde and Spicerack

• Scorekeep Scheduled Events in Eventlink

• Generate On Demand Events in Eventlink

• Scorekeep a CEDH event in Spicerack (or other comparable program)

• Scorekeep a Riftbound event in Carde.

• Liaise with Scheduled Event/On-Demand Event Judges

• Address Judge/Player issues and concerns

• Track event attendance and completion status

Compensation: $375/Day

Prize Wall

If selected for Prize Wall, you may be asked to perform duties in one or more of the following areas.  Note: Prize Wall folks will not have the option of a shift ending early.

• Prize Wall

• Prize out the final round of scheduled events

• Player Order pickup

• Other Administrative Tasks

Compensation: $325/Day

As a Staff Member:

Courtesy and respectfulness are top priorities during the entirety of the event. All members of judge staff will be expected to adhere to our company mission statement as follows:

We strive to provide a positive and inclusive environment for all players regardless of age, gender, or skill. To create a welcoming and positive environment for all who play here, encouraging sportsmanship and the power of the community. 

Food:

Food will be provided all three days of the event, throughout the day, along with snacks and drinks.

Break Room:

There will be a break room located near the event hall.  Access to this room will be shared by staff, special guests, and artists.  This room will not be locked, however it will have a Cool Stuff Employee physically present when the room is open.

Attire:

Judges will be expected to wear black pants, black belt, and mostly black shoes. Cool Stuff Inc will be providing shirts.  One shirt will be available for each day selected for staff. ( e.g. 2 days = 2 shirts, 3 days = 3 shirts)  These shirts will be yours to keep. If you already have a Cool Stuff Staff shirt, please note that in your application.

Communication:

Please note that the Event forums for this event on the Judge Apps Website will be used to communicate important news, information, and updates for this event.  We will also have a Discord for this event and use that for more immediate and informal communications.

Documentation:

For this event, and all Cool Stuff Events, all accepted judge staff are treated as independent contractors.  Payment will be provided in the form of a check at the end of your final shift or mailed to your address following the event. All staff will be required to submit a valid US tax form (W-9 or W-8 BEN) to Cool Stuff Inc. All judge staff are expected to adhere to the same Health and Safety procedures as participants.

Per WPN policies all selected applicants will be verified against the National Sex Offender Registry located at https://www.nsopw.gov

To Apply to this event:

Please fill out the cover letter and answer any questions asked.  Your cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself and explain what skills and talents you will bring to this event. Be sure to mention any relevant skills.  For example:
- If you are applying for the scorekeeper position, describing your experience with Eventlink will be helpful.
- If you have Comp Rel experience.
- Mentioning you know ASL
- If you are applying for a leadership role, mentioning previous leadership roles.

Note: As you are not on staff for this event, some users may be hidden from the staff list, in accordance with their privacy settings. You can always see the full staff list if you are either part of the staff yourself, or otherwise, after the event is over.