The AHA website now has the 2014 NHC competition registration information posted. I just read through it and have some very mixed feelings on the reported process and am curious what the rest of you think.
I like the idea of having an open registration period where everyone can indicate the # of entries they want to submit which makes it possible for everyone to have a chance to enter.
I am fine with giving some "advantage" to folks that help make the Conference happen (judges, stewards, organizers).
I really don't like the seamingly subjective way that the final entrants are being selected. This part really needs to be figured out and the selection process specifically described. Right now it seems like it can be pretty subjective. To be done right and meet the AHA's intent, the selection process needs to be anonymous, random, and maybe stratified. For example, I would design the selection process as follows:
1: Previous year's NHC coordinators, judges, stewards get their "name" placed in the "lottery" twice.
2: Each entrant gets their name placed in the lottery pool for their 2 prefered judging centers.
3: For each judging center, each name(s) in the drawing pool gets a randomly (non-repeating) number assigned.
4: Moving from lowest number to highest number, entries are accepted into the competition (the lottery draw).
5: If folks get "drawn" for both their 1st and 2nd choice judging center, then they get awarded entry at the 1st center. (2nd judging center entry are given to the next number on the list for that center).
6: (optional) There could be a cap on the number of "multiple entry" submissions for each judging center. i.e. no more than 15% entries are from people entering 6 beers, 15% from people entering 5 beers, 15% from people entering 4 beers, etc. If a person's wanting to enter 6 beers name/number is drawn, they they get the next "most entries" available within this cap system.
In this manner, everything would be clear, anonymous, random, fair for everyone, and still provides an "advantage" to those that actively help to make the conference happen.
My final concern is with the 3-day window for paying for entries once notified and the potentially multi-year disqualification from entering the NHC. I am regularly away from a computer for my work over multiple days. Depending on when I get the notification within the 10 notification window, very well may not have a chance to receive notification prior to becoming delinquent and disqualified from the competition ... perhaps permanently?.
What are everyone elses thoughts?
BN Army // 13th Mountain Division 