1) Registration/Check-In
When you arrive at a competition, register or check-in immediately. Getting a good seat is not worth finding out last minute that your events have changed or are canceled! When you register or check in, you should get a program or schedule that has any last minute changes, as well as a detailed timeline for the day. Leaders will get an identification number that must be pinned to the back of their outermost layer of clothing whenever competing.
Additionally, if the event allows "TBA" entries, there will usually be a list or bulletin board at the registration table where unpartnered dancers can post their names and requirements for others to review. If you are registered "TBA" for any events, it is vital to get there early, and check back often. The early-bird, as they say, gets the partner.
Once you know your schedule, get changed for your first event as soon as possible. Competitions run on an extremely strict schedule, and will usually not wait for a late couple.
2) Warmup
Most competitions will start the day with at least one or two songs of open dancing, so that couples can warm up and try the floor out. Make use of this time to loosen up, and get comfortable in the space. It's a lot like studying in your test space, so you have less anxiety the day of the exam!
3) Events
A competition will normally be divided into sections by the four styles of dancing, American Smooth, International Standard, American Rhythm, and International Latin. This is done so that competitors have to change costumes between as few events as possible.
Events run back-to-back for big chunks of time, so pay close attention to the announcements. The Master of Ceremonies will announce the name and number of the event about to start, and give the competitors instructions on where to go. If it is not the first round for an event, they will usually call the numbers of the couples asked to return. If you pay attention, you should be able to "wing-it" all the way through your events, but a detailed description of an event is listed in the next section, "Anatomy of an Event", for those who like to be prepared.
4) Awards
Usually, at the end of each section there will be a short break, after which awards are announced. This is not always the case for the higher proficiency level events, and closed competitions often have novel procedures, but is is the general rule.
Generally, all competitors who were in a final round for the section will be asked onto the floor to await their placement. Presenters will line up at the far end of the floor, each dispensing a single placement award (first place, second, etc...). The placements for each event will be announced in inverse order, last to first, and when a couple's number is called, the simply walk to the appropriate presenter, retrieve their award, and return to their place on the floor. It is considered bad taste to leave the floor before all awards have been presented. Note that in the event of a tie or other unusual circumstances, there can sometimes be more couples in a final round than there are awards to be presented, so pay close attention, lest you try to walk out and claim a seventh place ribbon that does not exist!
5) Judging Sheets
At the end of a competition, most competitions will make all couples' scores available, either on paper or electronically. If they do, make sure to put in a request for yours. These sheets will not only help you to remember how you performed later, they will let you identify which judges liked your dancing, and which did not. Sometimes, the best way to regroup is to get training from a judge who previously marked you poorly.
