USA Jigsaw Nationals

Important Schedule Details

FRIDAY:

• 9:45am - Building doors open ONLY for Jigsaw Nationals participants. Since this is before the rest of the Con, Heat 1 competitors (and spectators) must follow this special entry procedure:

  • Enter through the Mt Vernon South Entrance (which is located on Allen Y. Lew Pl NW). Look for USA Jigsaw Nationals signs, which will lead participants to the right side of the grand lobby.

  • You MUST walk through security so we advise that you arrive early.

  • You MUST show puzzle proof - please have your Nationals Ticket Tailor receipt open on your phone or a printed copy.

  • Once the Salon ABC doors open, please proceed straight to your assigned table (no check-in needed).

• 11:00am - Building opens to the General Public. You no longer need to show puzzle proof to enter the building.

• 1:00pm - Awesome Con officially opens to the Public.

SATURDAY:

• 8:00am - Building opens to Jigsaw Nationals Participants and General Public.

• 10:00am - Awesome Con opens.

• 1:00pm - Artist Signing at the Ravensburger booth in the Exhibit Hall.

• 6:00pm - Special Announcement at the start of the Pairs Final.

SUNDAY:

• 8:00am - Building opens to Jigsaw Nationals Participants and General Public.

• 10am - Awesome Con opens.

• 2:30pm - Artist Signing at the Ravensburger booth in the Exhibit Hall.

• 4:30pm - Awards, Speed Run Winners, and Special Announcement.

Registration Information

Badge pick-up is available at the Awesome Con registration desk in front of Salon ABC:

• Friday until 3:30 pm

• Saturday until 2:30 pm

• After these times, badges can be picked up from Hall D at the top of the escalators.

• Please show the QR code in your confirmation email from Leap Conventions (it is separate from your TicketTailor email) to pick up your badge.

• If you’re unable to find your confirmation email from Leap Conventions or have any questions or issues with your badge, please email: info@awesomecon.com.

Heat Assignment and Table Number can be found by searching for their name in this Google Doc. or at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation website.

• There will be no check-in this year so please go directly to your table number.

• Changes to preliminary rounds will not be allowed. However, if you cannot make it to your round, please email us at contact@usajigsaw.org.

Still want to register for solos or pairs divisions? They’re sold out, but it is possible there will be no-shows or last-minute cancellations so here’s how to join the wait line for each preliminary competition at Nationals:

• Head to the USAJPA Welcome Table and get in the nearby Wait Line at least 15 minutes before the competition starts.

• It is first come, first served, so the earlier the better.

• Plan to scan a QR code to register and pay.

• Don’t have a team but you are comfortable with random strangers? You can still wait in line and we will do our best to create a few teams before the competition starts.

• Have a pair or team ready? Great! But, you must be in the waitlist line together.

Competition Details

• Arrive at least 15-30 minutes before your heat begins. Right before the competition starts, empty tables will get filled with wait-listers, and you will not get a refund, so don’t be late.

  • For those new to Nationals, the competition space will be closed off before each heat/final. This allows volunteers to prepare the space. 15 minutes prior to start, the doors will open, and everyone can flow in and find their table.

• On each table will be:

  • A Table Card with the table number and your registered name. You will also see a timesheet with the same information. If any changes need to be made to your name(s), cross out the incorrect name and put in the correct one.

  • The competition puzzles in opaque bags on your table. DO NOT handle the bag or look at the puzzle prior to the start of the timer. If we see you opening the bag or looking into it early, it is grounds for disqualification.

• Before each competition:

  • Our very talented emcee for the weekend, Aly Krasny, will go over announcements, rules, and give you a heads up on when the count down will begin.

  • During this time, you can put your personal belongings under your table and prepare your space.

• At the end of the count down:

  • The timer will begin and puzzlers can open their bags.

    • You should have no problem opening the box, as all puzzles should have the stickers sliced in advance. You will find an unopened bag of pieces inside the box.

    • If your puzzle box will not open due to stickers still being in place, get the attention of a volunteer to assist in opening the box and they will write down your delayed start time so you are not penalized for the error.

• When you or your team is close to finishing, raise your hand to get a volunteer’s attention. Most likely someone will be close by, but in the case that many people are finishing at once, flag someone over so they can be there to write down your official finish time.

• Once finished, please be respectful of other participants and exit quietly from the roped off competition space.

Results

• Results will be tabulated live and posted on the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation website when available. Just look under the “Results” tab for this event. If you qualify for the final round, you will have a Q next to your name.

• Table Assignments for Finals will be posted on WJPF’s website as well as in the original Heat Assignment Google Doc.

• There will also be a monitor set up in the competition space displaying live results.

Livestream Details

Because of Ravensburger’s support, we are able to live stream all of our competitions!

• Your friends and family can watch from home on YouTube or Twitch.

• Tune in to watch as the world’s best jigsaw commentator, Valerie Coit, interviews special guests all weekend.

• Note to puzzlers: There will be three video cameras on the competition floor. They will do their absolute best to not interfere with your puzzling.

Volunteers

Volunteers, check your email for specific directions for volunteering.

Spectators

• Spectators also need Awesome Con badges.

• Spectators will have a little space around the perimeter of the room to watch their friends and family. Please be cognizant of those competing around you. Random chatter can be very distracting.

• NEW this year! For even better spectating viewing, we will have the livestream projected on a large screen in the competition space.

Additional Details

• Ravensburger will be selling puzzles in their “shop” in the East Salon. Look for their convention deal to win a fun surprise; otherwise, competition puzzles will be for sale on their website end of day Monday, April 7th.

• The Convention Center has a strict no outside food or beverages policy. There is a food court within the convention center and water bottle fill stations. Learn more about the Convention Center here.

• There is no specified swap table, but you can try out some puzzles in Ravensburger’s exhibitor booth. Find the convention map here.

• Logistics and Parking: https://awesome-con.com/travel/ 

• Accessibility: https://awesome-con.com/accessibility/

• Getting around DC

• Lost an item? See if it got turned in to the Lost and Found, at the Welcome Table.

• Need first aid? Ask anyone in a Ravensburger shirt.

  Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, Ravensburger, for making this event possible!