Event Logistics
Event Logistics
Attending the North American Irish Dance Championships & Conference
To ensure a smooth competition experience, please familiarize yourself with the following procedures for competitors and adjudicators. These guidelines cover number assignments, competition format, and adjudicator protocols to help maintain consistency, efficiency, and professionalism throughout the event.
Teachers, parents, and dancers: Please review all additional rules published in the official syllabus.
The official website for NAIDC 2025 is 2025naidc.com and all patrons are requested to navigate thoroughly through the information before contacting the committee with a query. Every effort will be made to keep the website updated. All inquiries for matters not covered on the website will receive a reply within 72-hours or as soon as possible. All inquiries for matters which are covered on the website will not receive a reply.
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Stage Appearance Order
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Dancers will appear on stage in the order published in the program book.
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Number Assignment:
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The first dancer listed will be assigned a random number between 101 and 130, with subsequent dancers following in numerical order.
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The first dancer listed will not necessarily dance first.
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Start numbers will be randomly assigned for the first round and published on the official event website and in the program, with subsequent rounds beginning one-third later.
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Competitor Numbers:
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Competitor numbers will not be published in the program.
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They will be released on the official event website approximately one hour before the competition begins.
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Number Collection:
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All dancers (or a designated representative) must collect their number before the competition starts. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility to participate.
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If the competition starts early, the number cards will still be available until the competition commences.
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If a dancer misses their rotation, they will not be permitted to compete.
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Solo Hard-Shoe Rounds:
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For U8 – U15, the hard shoe round will be performed (3) three-at-a-time. In all other age groups, including Adult, the hard shoe round will be performed (2) two-at-a-time.
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Solo Soft-Shoe Rounds:
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The soft shoe round will be performed (2) two-at-a-time.
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Solo Recall Rounds:
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All set dances, regardless of age group, will be performed (1) one-at-a-time.
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4 Hands
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Will be performed (2) two-at-a-time.
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All teams must dance with the top couple standing to the left of the assessors.
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All dances must be performed through the completion of the first figure (tops only) and for Humours of Bandon, repeat the Body after the 1st figure
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8 Hands
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Will be performed (1) one-at-a-time.
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The default speed for 8-hand ceili dances is 115. Teachers may choose a different speed at check-in.
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All teams must dance with the top couple’s backs to the assessors.
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All dances must be performed through the completion of a figure of choice, unless otherwise specified.
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Figure Choreography & Dance Dramas
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Will be performed (1) one-at-a-time.
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Recalls
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Will not be announced in the halls.
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They will be posted online on the official event website as soon as they are available.
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Do not ask staff about recall times; they will not have this information.
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Number Check
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All Solo Championship competitions (including Adult) will feature a number check either part-way through or at the end of each of the first two rounds of competition, where all dancers who have already danced that particular round will be called side-stage to appear in front of the assessors one more time to ensure the correct assignment of marks to each dancer.
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A number check is not required for recall rounds or team events.
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Dancers must be in costume and Irish dancing shoes.
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All IDTANA rules shall apply to these Championships.
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When the first two rounds of a Solo Championship (including Adult) are complete, the extended-Irish points system will be used to rank the competitors in order of merit.
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50% of the participants will be recalled to perform a set dance in all competitions of twenty-one (21) or more dancers.
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For competitions with twenty (20) or fewer dancers, all participants will be recalled.
Please note:
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A dancer must be recalled in order to perform their set dance. Any dancer who does not complete the first two (2) rounds of competition cannot be recalled to dance the third round. [IDTANA/2009]
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Any dancer who does not complete the third round of a competition will automatically receive ZERO marks for that round and will only be eligible to feature in the award ceremony as a recalled dancer. Any points allotted to that dancer from the first two rounds shall remain with that dancer. [IDTANA/2017]
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Where an assessor deems that a dancer failed to complete their performance in any given round, that dancer must receive ZERO marks by each assessor in that round. [IDTANA/2009]
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The Extended Irish Points system will be utilized for all competitions.
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ALL scores will be verified and signed off on by each assessor before any ranks are determined for each round.
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All dancers shall receive a participation item.
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All recalled dancers in Solo Championships (including Adults) shall receive an official IDTANA medal, which will be presented on stage at an official award ceremony. A minimum of 25% of the solo participants will also receive an event-specific award.
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For traditional set competitions with twenty (20) or fewer dancers, and in the U7 category, all participants will be awarded. For competitions of twenty-one (21) or more dancers, 50% of the participants will be awarded.
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For team competitions with five (5) or fewer teams, all participants will be awarded. For competitions of six (6) or more teams, 50% of the teams will be awarded.
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In all cases, the number of awards will be determined by the actual number of participants (not the number registered), and calculations will be rounded-up. All dancers (solo and team) must be in full costume to receive awards on stage, and all dancers are responsible for their awards following the presentation. The NAIDC 2025 Committee will not replace any lost or damaged awards.
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First-place winners in Solo Championships (including Adult) will receive a perpetual award, which requires the signing of a release form by a Parent/Guardian (or Dancer, if aged 18 or older). It is not mandatory to sign the form; however, if the form is not signed, the award will not be issued.
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Teachers’ awards will be given to all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in all team competitions, and also to the teachers of 1st place solo winners. [IDTANA/2002]
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Assessors will be instructed to ring a bell to stop the performance when the health and/or safety of a dancer (in solo or team events) is at risk, due to collision with another dancer, injury, or falling, and assessors will be instructed to use their best judgment in the case of open laces, shoes falling off, or issues with costumes/accessories. Should a dancer lose a heel or an entire shoe, they may stand at the back to allow the other dancer(s) to complete their performance, and they will be permitted to re-dance without penalty when deemed practical by the Stage Manager.
Should, at the opinion of the Stage Manager, the NAIDC 2025 Committee, a medical professional, and/or the assessors, a dancer be deemed unfit to re-dance, and a dancer/parent insists on doing so, a waiver exonerating the IDTANA, the IDTANA- Mid-Atlantic Region, Inc., and the NAIDC 2025 Committee from any and all liability must be completed and signed by the legal parent and/or guardian of the dancer (if under the age of 18) before the dancer may re-dance. Any repeat incident which results in the dancer being unable to complete the required number of bars for that dance will result in the dancer having to withdraw from the event.
If the judges ring the bell to stop a performance during the last eight (8) bars in Round 1 or Round 2 of a solo championship, the dancers will only be required to dance the last 16 bars of that dance. If the judges ring the bell to stop a performance during any part of an open solo set dance or traditional set dance, the dancer will perform the entire dance for their re-dance. • Where feasible, the dancers will be brought back to re-dance no sooner than three rotations later, and no later than five rotations later. Dancers so affected by the bell being rung and permitted to re-dance will be marked at the discretion of each assessor.
Competition Splits
Travel & Parking at the Gaylord
If you are driving, the resort is situated near major highways, including I-495 and I-95, with ample on-site parking available. If you are staying at the hotel, self-parking is added to your bill at a rate of $20 per day and includes in-and-out privileges. If you are not staying at the hotel, self-parking is also $20 per day; pull a ticket when you enter and pay at the self-pay kiosk before you leave—this also includes in-and-out privileges. Valet parking is available for $70 per day.
For those travelling by public transportation, you can take the Metro to the Huntington or King Street Station and connect to the National Harbor via local shuttle services or rideshares. The resort also offers a water taxi service, providing a unique scenic route to National Harbor from destinations like Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown.
Wristbands / Facility Usage Fee
The $100 per person per day facility fee will be charged to anyone not staying in the contracted North American Irish Dancing Championships & Convention room block at the host hotels. Booking at the host hotel, but outside of the contracted block will not meet these criteria. To avoid the facility fee, one must book within the contracted North American Irish Dancing Championships & Convention group block.
This fee is necessary to ensure the event meets the hotel room numbers to cover the costs to host the North American Irish Dancing Championships & Convention. This policy was put into place many years ago but, since many of your families may still have questions, please find some answers below that you might find helpful.
If I do not stay in the block, how do I access the event?
A daily facility usage fee of USD $100 per person per day is required from anyone attending the event who does not stay within the NAIDC 2025 room block at the official host hotel or overflow hotels. This applies to dancers, CLRG registrants and spectators, except for those who qualify for an exemption. Facility Usage Fee wristbands can be purchased at the Info Desk located by the Woodrow Wilson Ballroom.
If you book at a host hotel but outside of the block through an online booking channel (Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com), AAA, or hotel direct, etc., you will not be considered a part of the Irish dancing block and will be charged the facility fee. Strict security will be in place to enforce this policy.
Facility Fee Exemption
Residents of DC, Maryland, Virginia, and military personnel are exempt from the facility fee and can obtain their free daily wristbands and can be picked up at the Info Desk located by the Woodrow Wilson Ballroom. Photo identification is required for each wristband issued. Active military personnel, or active-duty service of a uniformed service, are individuals who work full-time for the military. Persons in the Reserve or National Guard are not full-time active-duty military personnel.
To learn more about Facility Fees, visit the Location & Accommodations.
How many wristbands will I get and how will I get them?
If you’re staying in the hotel block, you will receive wristbands based on your room’s occupancy and the duration of your stay at check-in.
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For example, if your room sleeps two people, you’ll receive two wristbands per day.
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If your room sleeps four people, you’ll receive four wristbands per day.
Wristbands are provided for each day of your stay, including both your check-in and check-out days.
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For example, if you check in on July 4 and check out on July 7 (a 3-night stay), you will receive wristbands for July 4, 5, 6, and 7 — a total of 4 days of wristbands, based on your room occupancy. If you are not staying in the hotel block, wristbands must be purchased separately at the Info Desk.
Schedule & Timetable
The Days Only Schedule and Timetable for the 2025 NAIDC is now available to download. For updates leading to and through the competition, bookmark to our website and follow us on social media @naidc2025.
