WFA GRAND SLAM REQUIREMENTS 2017
What is the WFA Grand Slam? A world wide tournament consisting or competitions based all over the globe. All competitions have the expertise and professionalism enforced by the World Flair Association. Competitors travel to Grand Slam competitions from all over the world, in order to earn points to find out who will be crowned Grand Slam World Champion each year and earn the coveted WFA Gold Level Grading. Only 5 bartenders in the world have this title so far. Grand Slam competitions are some the most prestigious and sort after competitions. They have the best judges and the best competitors which in turn attracts the biggest sponsors.
The Costs To be listed as a Grand Slam Competition is absolutely FREE. Yes FREE. As with any competition there are some costs you can t escape, and to have the best competition you can, you should see our budgeting section for more help.
Sponsors Grand Slam competitions, must now all be streamed live, which means attracting approximately 5000+ viewers on the day. Being part of the WFA is attractive to sponsors as they have an international platform that attracts bartenders from all over the world seeing their brand. It is compulsory for competitors to use sponsor bottles on stage. This is written into all Grand Slam rules. See Set Rules Any sponsor can be used for your Grand Slam event. There are no conflicting brands. The WFA will endeavour to support your event from post and pre competition to get you and your sponsors the best expositor possible. See support
GS Comps attract more competitors because... It will be judged fairly and professionally by highly trained and experienced judges. Most of which have seen more flair than anyone else in the world. New judges now go through judge training with the Judge academy (to follow in 2017) or on the job at previous Grand Slam events where their score are scrutinised by current Grand Slam judges. Bartenders are safe in the knowledge that they will have ample stage space and a practice area. This may vary from competition to competition. Competitors want to win the WFA Grand Slam World Championship and gain the sort after WFA Gold Level Grading. It is streamed live so they get the most exposure. There is a minimum prize money for all Grand Slam events. ( 5,000)
To be on the Grand Slam my competition MUST... 1...have One WFA Head Judge present - To be discussed and selected with the WFA. 2...have Two WFA Grand Slam judge present - To be discussed and selected with the WFA. 3...have Two deduction judges present at the competition - To be discussed and selected with the WFA. 4. Have a judges briefing planned the day before the competition. 5...have a total prize fund of more than 5000. 6...have a stage at least Four soft boxes to light the performance area on stage. 7...have ample stage size for bartenders to perform comfortably. 8...have FREE refreshments (water and soft drinks) for competitors throughout the competition
...continued... 9...have the practice area lit up preferably with soft boxes for competitors to be able to train for their show. 10...have at least 2 bottles from the sponsors available for each competitor to practice with. 11...have a presentation of the Purple and Black Gradings levels available during the briefing, and a presentation on stage during the prize giving announcements. 12...be streamed live online! 13...have a promo clip, pictures and/or a press release about the competition for promotional purposes to push your competition and attract as many online viewers and attendees to your event. 14...make sure ALL competitors register through the WFA website to join the competition! This is essential to update their profile after the competition has finished. 15...ensure that the organiser DOES NOT JUDGE! 16...have a preparation area for competitors to prepare their bottles.
...continued... 17...ensure that the MC, DJ, Bar Backs and Judges have been briefed by the Head judge on their job sheets. (see job sheets) 18...include the set rules into your competition. (see WFA set rules) 19. The WFA scoring system or variation of must be used for your competition. We understand sponsors have different requirements and each competition is different so any changes must be discussed with the WFA first. 20. Judges must have enough time to add up and check the scores once the competition is over. This means a quiet room to discuss and ensure all scores are added correctly. 21..All Judges must have travel, accommodation, food and drink paid for through the event. 22. All judges must be able to speak english. 23...It is recommended the the WFA Grading Level of each bartender is used to decide the running order of the competition to ensure it is fair for all bartenders. 24. There MUST be WiFi access for judges.
...continued... 25. The running order is decided before the competition begins and posted online. 26. All score sheets to be printed the day before the competition has started. 27. At least 15 Stickers for each bartender to put on their bottles. 28. Any set drinks that must be made during the bartenders round must be filmed and posted online to show competitors how to make them. 29. Enforce the competitor code of conduct and penalise bartenders that don t follow it. 30..A good sound system with a monitor on stage so the bartenders can also heat their music. 31..If your competition is planned to be outside, then a back up plan needs to be in place in case of rain or excessive wind or heat.
...continued... 32. Trophies for all winners. 33..The WFA Brand guidelines to be followed. See Brand Guidelines
What do you get from the WFA? Free consultancy for your competition, post and pre competition. Advertising on the WFA website - Grand Slam Page and on the WFA Calendar. The most extensive flair calendar on the internet. To be a part of the biggest flair bartending tournament in the world. Professional Judges. Advertising on Social Media (Facebook and Twitter) through the WFA. All Results are posted as soon as they are announced. Rules and regulations template and the WFA scoring system. Pre & Post event write up which is put into the WFA weekly blogs
What does the WFA need from you? FOLLOW the requirements! Facebook banner advertising the competition, sponsors and Grand Slam info. All POS material to use online and share pre, during and post event. A video pre and post event showcasing the competition.
Budgeting WFA GS Comps 2017
Judges Travel Food Accommodation 1 day 2 days Head Judge YES YES YES 500 850 Grand Slam Judge YES YES YES 350 650
MC, DJ & Bar Backs The fee for MC, DJ and Bar backs is to be determined by the organisers. Travel Food Accommodation MC YES YES YES DJ YES YES YES Bar Back/Helpers x 4 NO YES NO
Advertising, Marketing and Promotion T-shirts - Should be printed for all competitors, and to hand out to members of the audience. Also a good idea to have some to sell. Flyers - Lots must be printed to hand out to bars and restaurants, and to invite down members of the industry. Point of Sale - Banners and posters should be printed to show off the Sponsors. A banner should be hung up behind the stage. Online - Social Media is a strong tool to promote your event. Pay to boost posts. Video - Promotional videos to be made before and after the competition to generate more awareness. All of the above MUST have the WFA Grand Slam logo included.
Contact Tom Dyer - tom@worldflairassociation.com