8 reasons to get psyched for the North American Collins Championship (NACC)
Summer is coming to an end, but here at the CoCo, we're gearing up for an awesome autumn. Thanks to our ever-growing roster of directors, we're running six tournaments in the next two months from coast to coast. And that's just our fall warmup!
The first weekend in November, we'll be directing the second-ever North American Collins Championship (NACC). As lead director, I'm doing everything I can to make it the biggest and best tournament we've ever run. Here are many reasons why you won't want to miss the NACC this year:
1. To offer a generous prize pool for both divisions, we launched our first-ever Platinum Fundraiser. We've raised over $11,000 in one week, thanks to over a dozen generous donors, many of whom sent incredibly encouraging notes. Our goal is to raise $20,000 so that we can offer a $10,000 top prize for Division 1 and $2,000 for the top finisher in Division 2. Importantly, our proposed prize table goes beyond first place to also reward players who finish strong and beat their expectations. You don't need to give much to make a difference; if each CoCo member contributed $35, we'd reach our goal. Amazingly, many gifts came from people who aren't playing the NACC, but donated anyway because they support our mission.
2. If you're a top player hoping to qualify for the WESPA Summit Cup, playing the NACC is a surefire way to get one step closer. This tournament already qualifies for WESPA Gold tier qualification points. If we hit our fundraising goal, the NACC will be certified Platinum, the highest tier for Summit Cup qualification. Help us get there! Let's go platinum!
3. With the production dream team of Christian Kay and Andrew Kay at the helm, we'll broadcast a world-class livestream, captained by Evans Clinchy. If you watched our BlitzChamps and Virtual World Cup streams, you'll know that we source commentators from around the world. In similar fashion, we seek to make the NACC stream a truly international affair. I'm delighted to share that our first confirmed co-commentator is none other than World Scrabble Champion Adam Logan.
4. The NACC hotel is swanky, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the playing room and magnificent views of downtown Minneapolis. We pride ourselves on choosing highly accessible locations that are easily walkable so that players can explore and enjoy the local scene, in addition to the Scrabble. The Marquette Hotel's walk score is a whopping 96/100. You won't need a car with everything you need only steps away. Book your hotel room now before the room block fills.
5. We are excited to unveil Baxter, the CoCo's new and improved pairing software. Thanks to Martin DeMello, with an able assist from John O'Laughlin, we have a custom Scrabble software solution that brings Scrabble tournament pairings into the modern age. It has a visually attractive and intuitive interface that is both user-friendly and mobile-friendly, enabling players and spectators alike to easily navigate the latest standings and matchups. We're committed to innovation, always experimenting and seeking ways to make Scrabble technology better for our players. Baxter is our latest way of delivering on that promise, and we can't wait for you to experience it.
6. The NACC is an event where we hope dreams come true for many attendees. For my part, Mitch Poplack has already made that happen by creating a custom set of CoCo tiles for us. We're placing a bulk order so that anyone who wants one can pick up a set of their own. There are tons of color options, and all tile sets will feature limited edition blanks with the CoCo and NACC logos. If you want in, preorder a set by Oct. 1. We'll have the tiles ready for you to pick up in Minneapolis. Huge thanks to Mitch for making this dream of mine come true!
7. In the evenings, we plan to offer fun entertainment options that appeal to everyone. Eric Fox will host a spelling bee, and we're musing about reprising the popular trivia night team competition. If you have ideas for other after-hours events you'd love to see, or if you'd like to host an event, drop us a line.
8. But wait - there's more! We're assembling delightful swag bags for every player, complete with CoCo cocoa, commemorative NACC pens, engraved bookmarks with fun word lists, stickers, magnets, and more. Pick up your free swag bag at registration.
We're psyched for this event and we hope you are, too. We already have 35 players on our ever-expanding entrants list, and you could be next - sign up today to secure your spot.
Plus, stay tuned for an upcoming NACC blog from special guest Cecilia Le. Cecilia scoped out our hotel and venue in person this month, and she'll share her take on what makes it the best place you'll play Scrabble in this year.