GP: Cleveland presented by Pastimes

Welcome to Grand Prix: Cleveland 2017!
On behalf of Pastimes Games, thank you for your interest in making GP Cleveland one of the best events of the year. We are looking for friendly, knowledgeable, professional individuals to deliver exceptional guest service through the entire Grand Prix experience.

Application window closes: May 1, 2017
Acceptance notifications (estimated): May 5, 2017
Event Date: June 23–25, 2017

Head Judge: the esteemed Riki Hayashi

Expectations
All staff members are expected to perform in a professional manner that reflects positively on the rest of the event staff, Pastimes Games, Wizards of the Coast, and the Judge Program.  We desire team members that seek to promote a fun, exciting environment for everyone to enjoy.

Judges are expected to wear their black Magic Judge shirt which should remain tucked in and buttoned to the next to the top button or higher, an undershirt, black belt, black pants, black socks, and comfortable, close-toed shoes. Please make sure your shirt is neat prior to the event. If you need a judge shirt, or an additional one, we can provide that if you let us know in advance.

Staff in administrative roles will be provided with a Pastimes shirt and are expected to wear black pants, black socks, and comfortable, close-toed shoes.

If you anticipate needing to leave before 8 PM Sunday, please mention this on the application questionnaire. 

Acceptance Procedures

We will be accepting staff members shortly after the application deadline, with most judges receiving two days on the schedule (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday).  Everyone will be accepted will be assigned to a Saturday shift.  If you absolutely must be scheduled all three days to be on staff for this event, please note that on the application questionnaire.

Compensation
[Updated 3/13] Every staff member will receive:

• A customized GP Cleveland Judge Playmat
• A Pastimes Water Bottle
• A commemorative lanyard so you can remember your time with us (and so others can remember your name)

• Level 2/3 Opportunities
  $225 per day
  Please note that you may apply for multiple roles, and may have more than one over the course of the weekend.  If you are selected for judge staff, you may still be asked to take on administrative tasks if needed.
• If you are chosen for a Lead Position on any day, you will be compensated an additional $100 per day for all days chosen
• If you are a Premier Level Judge and chosen to be a Support Judge, you will receive and additional $150 for all days chosen
  
  
• Level 1 Opportunities - dependent upon experience
  If chosen to be put on Side Events - $125 per day
  If chosen to be on as a Trainee - $100 per day  (In this role you will spend a portion of the time shadowing/training with another judge - then assisting by judging on Side Events)

The per day compensation rate covers Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Set Up and Tear Down
We will be offering a limited number of setup and tear down shifts for this event.

Set Up on Thursday will begin at 10am and include setting up the room and may include registering sealed deck pools for side events. Compensation for the set-up shift is $150. We also need a few individuals to help close out the show and pack the GP kit. Individuals on the tear down shift will be scheduled for a Sunday shift and be given a box of the most current Standard set in addition to their shift compensation.

Saturday Extended Shift
Recently at GPs, the trend has been to divide the day into shifts.  This does provide for a shorter day for judges, but does have some drawbacks.  To provide better structure and continuity, we are going to be selecting some judges, L2 or higher, to work extended shifts.  For some this will mean working the entirety of the Main Event, for some it may mean being on Side Events for an extended shift, or some combination of the two.  It will make for a longer day for those individuals and so we are offering additional compensation.  If you are interested in applying for this, please indicate so on the application questionnaire.  Those selected to work these shifts will receive an additional $100.

Please Note
All judges receiving payment for this event will need to fill out the appropriate tax paperwork (W-9 for US citizens and W-8BEN for others) and sign an agreement for their work.  There will be no tax withholding onsite.

Standby
Standby judges are a special sponsorship class.  Standby judges may not be used to judge at all at the event.  If you are selected as a standby judge, you will be informed if you are needed to judge on Saturday and/or Sunday by Friday night.   If you work the event, you will receive the compensation package described above.  If you are not selected to judge, you may choose to have your Grand Prix entry fee covered by Pastimes (registration is a base event entry) or a MegaBadge for the weekend (many events each day, plus pick up events).

Staff Fun!
Friday Night
Pizza and draft!  This special event will include, well, pizza and a draft!  For judges who are taking care of the customers - we will make sure you get pizza AND two draft sets!  This event will happen in the Event Hall at 9 PM.
Sunday Night
If you can stick around, there will be a gathering at 10 PM to celebrate an amazing weekend! Location TBD.  Games, snacks, and more!

Hotels and Lodging
A room block will be set up for this event. Please note that we are not providing lodging for this event, but will provide information so you can take advantage of GP room block pricing should you so choose.  

Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center
(located directly across from convention center)
127 Public Square
Cleveland, OH 44114

$119 room rate for single to quad - available until rooms are sold out or until 6/1/17
To book your room click here.

Testing
Testing opportunities may be available on Sunday morning at this event. If you are interested in testing, please note that on the application questionnaire. Any staff requesting testing will be able to test only if requested at least two weeks prior to GP: Cleveland with all prerequisites completed and the event has available judges to proctor tests.

Additional Questions
If you have any questions about the event weekend or applying for this event, please email me by following the link above.   You can also email questions or comments to the Tournament Organizer at alan@pastimes.net

Thank you, and we hope to see you in Cleveland!