2020-21 Season FAQ Page

Adapting to the challenges caused by COVID-19, we launched the 2020-21 season later than normal. We re-developed our Challenges so they can be solved and scored fairly in a digital format for advancing through all levels of tournaments. We want to ensure that we deliver a high-quality product and our participants have a fantastic experience.

The following materials were made available on November 1, 2020

• Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Service Learning and Early Learning Challenges
• Roadmap
• Rules of the Road
• Instant Challenge Practice Set

We are excited to announce that we will also be releasing the Engineering and Improv Challenges on December 1, 2020.

Yes, they are available now. Click here, to download the First Look. Click here, to download the Preview Flyer. 

Situations will vary in different parts of the world due to COVID-19. These decisions will be made by Affiliate leadership, with guidance from the DIHQ team. As tournament dates are settled, they will be listed on DestinationImagination.org.

Our Affiliates have been encouraged to offer all of this season’s Team Challenges. However, in special circumstances an Affiliate may need to temporarily suspend a particular Challenge for just one year. Contact your Affiliate Director for information on which Challenges will be offered locally.

Situations will vary in different parts of the world due to COVID-19. As always, our top priority is the safety of our participants and volunteers. Some tournaments will be 100% digital while others may incorporate an in-person celebration. These decisions will be made by Affiliate leadership, with guidance from the DIHQ team. As tournament types are settled, they will be listed on DestinationImagination.org.

Because of  COVID-19, we cannot predict when this information will become available. As tournament types and dates are confirmed, they will be listed on DestinationImagination.org. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

The in-person events will be a safe, exciting and creative celebration for all teams. These decisions will be made by Affiliate leadership, with guidance from the DIHQ team. If an Affiliate is able to hold an in-person event, it will not look like a traditional DI tournament. These celebration events may look like a film festival where the team’s solutions are shown on a screen or the Affiliate in-person events may allow teams to answer questions live from the Appraisers after the team solutions are viewed. Teams will not be presenting their Challenge solutions in-person.

Yes, we will have Instant Challenges for our digital and in-person tournaments.

Most of our Affiliates plan to pre-record their digital tournaments, although they may include some live aspects like polling and messaging.

Teams will submit solutions via video and the Appraisers will review the videos to score the solutions. The solutions may or may not be appraised live depending on your Affiliate.

Yes, teams will have the opportunity to present their Team Challenge solutions and compete globally.

Planning for Global Finals 2021 will continue to evolve as we assess conditions. Our intent is to hold Global Finals 2021 in person in Kansas, City, MO, in July. However, we are also contingency planning for a virtual Global Finals event if an in-person event cannot be held. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. Check out our playlists from our virtual Global Finals 2020 Summer of Creativity and our in-person Global Finals 2019 to see how each event is creative, fun and an experience not to be missed. 

We are so excited to be planning a fantastic experience for Global Finals 2021! Global Finals will be held in-person in Kansas City, Missouri, from July 21-24, 2021. Delaying the event until the summer will help us plan more appropriately for COVID-19 safety precautions. 

The safety of our participants remains our number one priority. Since the environment around COVID-19 remains fluid, we will release detailed, up-to-date safety measures on or before Monday, March 1, 2021. Of course, contingency planning is also underway should a change in plans become necessary.

From solving and submitting virtually, to various formats for Affiliate Tournaments, we recognize that this season’s Challenge Experience will look different. For Global Finals, your team will solve a brand-new and never-before-seen extension Challenge that builds off the themes of your Team Challenges. Global Finals Challenges will be solved in Kansas City.

You will not be responsible for shipping any materials on-site to Kansas City. Everything you need will be there waiting for you!
Additionally, teams will have their 2020-21 Team Challenge solution scored by Global Finals Appraisers and aired over the course of the week in Kansas City.

Three components will contribute to your team’s overall score and final ranking for Global Finals: your 2020-21 Team Challenge solution (including Central Challenge and Team Choice Elements), your 2021 Global Finals Extension Challenge solution, and your 2021 Global Finals Instant Challenge solution.

The cost for the event will be $5,500 per team. Teams from outside the US are eligible for a $500 stipend per team if incurring charges for visas and/or passports.

We are working closely with Kansas City on safety protocols. COVID-19 protocols and conditions continue to be ever-changing as we learn more. We will release protocols for Global Finals 2021 no later than March 1, in advance of opening Global Finals registration.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has adversely affected DI’s ability to provide financial assistance for teams attending Global Finals. We will resume our financial assistance program as soon as we are able. DI can provide resources for teams interested in pursuing fundraising independently.

Registration for Global Finals 2021 will open on Monday, March 15, 2021. Registration will close on Monday, May 17, 2021.

A $1,500 deposit will be due two weeks after the date of your team’s certification to secure your spot.

If the team cancels before Monday, May 17, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Destination Imagination will refund 50% of the $1,500 deposit (i.e., $750). Starting May 18, no refunds will be issued for canceled teams. If the deposit is not paid by May 17, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, the team will automatically be canceled and Team Late Registration rules will be enforced if the team would like to be reinstated. Refunds for cancellations prior to May 17, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time will be processed 6 to 8 weeks after the event, less cancellation fee of $750. Cancellation fees are not transferable.

Any refund policies regarding COVID-19 will evolve as we assess changing conditions. Like our event safety protocols, this information will be available no later than March 1, 2021.

Our intent is to hold an in-person Global Finals event, as long as it is safe to do so. As always, participant safety is our number one priority. If conditions dictate that we cannot hold an in-person event, the decision will be announced to have a virtual tournament on or before Tuesday, June 8, 2021. All registered teams will automatically be registered to participate in our virtual Global Finals tournament. Team deposits ($1,500) cover the cost of the virtual event. If a team has paid in full for the in-person event, they will receive a refund for any amount above the $1,500 due.

If Global Finals 2021 is held virtually, your team’s registration deposit ($1,500) will cover full participation in an exciting, new virtual tournament.

Instead of providing materials on-site in Kansas City, everything will be shipped to your Team Manager!

Like the in-person event, teams will have their 2020-21 Team Challenge solution scored by Global Finals Appraisers.

The same three components will contribute to your team’s overall score and final ranking for Global Finals: your 2020-21 Team Challenge solution (including Central Challenge and Team Choice Elements), your Global Finals 2021 Extension Challenge solution, and your Global Finals 2021 Instant Challenge solution.

We acknowledge that this is a very uncertain time, and we know that you have questions about deadlines, deposits, contingency plans, COVID-19 policies and more. We will be sure to release more information about Global Finals 2021, including COVID-19 event protocols and our contingency plans, well in advance of registration, and no later than Monday, March 1, 2021. We appreciate your patience as we continue to plan for this event.

We have added language to our Youth Protection Policy to address the use of the internet and virtual meeting tools and guidance as to how participants should be supervised while utilizing these tools.

Team Number(s) are not eligible for refunds or cancellations after November 1, 2020. Purchasing of a Team Number gives teams access to exclusive content and intellectual property of Destination Imagination, Inc., which cannot be undone or returned once accessed.

Background Check(s) are not eligible for refunds or cancellations. If an individual is not able to clear their Background Check, an additional Background Check must be purchased for any additional individuals to be checked. If an individual is concerned about prior incidents that may interfere with their Background Check, they should contact [email protected] before the Background Check has been purchased.

If the Challenge season faces a major disruption, Destination Imagination will work with all Purchasers to provide an alternative to regular tournament/use of Team Numbers.

Each adult responsible for a team and who will be working directly with participants when no other adults are present is required to have a background check.

If you are in the United States, we are able to waive the requirement IF your background check meets the following criteria: it is a Level 3 Complete Check, it was processed by Sterling Volunteers, and it will remain effective/eligible through May 30, 2021. If your background check meets these criteria, please see this document for directions on how to share your report with DIHQ.

If your background check does not meet these criteria, then, yes, you will need to get a background check. As a youth-serving organization, it is imperative for us to have a 100% verifiable and standardized background check on file for all Team Managers. We are unable to independently verify that school districts’ background checks are up to date and meet the standard of the checks we require through Sterling Volunteers. For that reason, we must require that all Team Managers be background checked using our system.

Please refer to our Team Manager Background Check FAQ PDF.