Your Stay
Online Hotel Booking Site
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NSDA Hotel Block: All coaches must use the online booking site to reserve hotel rooms within the NSDA hotel block. This allows us to procure the attendee rates we offer. Please do NOT call the hotels directly to book your hotel rooms. Hotel reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Submit your request as soon as possible for the best opportunity of receiving your hotel choice.
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Discount on Entry Fees: Schools staying within the NSDA hotel block will receive 15% off main event and supplemental event entry fees. Make sure you select which hotel you’re staying at and add at least one confirmation number for your hotel reservation on the General tab of your school’s Tabroom.com registration in order for the discount to apply.
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Dates and Deadlines:
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February 2: Online booking site for the NSDA hotel block opens.
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March 31: Deadline to cancel rooms without a cancellation fee.
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April 29: If you booked multiple rooms, individual names must be assigned to each hotel reservation by 4:00 p.m. Central Time.
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May 22: Deadline for reservations to guarantee availability and rates. After this date, reservations will be made based on availability and hotels may charge higher rates. All changes must go through the hotels directly after this date.
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- How to Book:
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Online Booking Site: Make new reservations, modify existing reservations, or cancel reservations through this link.
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Telephone: You can also book via phone. Agents are available 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Toll-free (US): 1-877-505-4611, International: +1-801-505-4611.
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Need Help? Email NSDA@orchid.events.
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- Cancellation Fees:
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March 31 is the deadline to cancel reservations without a fee. Reservations cancelled between April 1 and April 30 will be charged $50 per room cancelled.
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Reservations that are cancelled between May 1 and your hotel’s specified cancellation date will be charged $150 per room cancelled. Cancellations made within the hotel’s specified policy will be charged 1 night’s room and tax per room cancelled.
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To make changes: Before May 22, changes and cancellations can be made online or by contacting Orchid Events via e-mail at NSDA@orchid.events. After May 22, 2026 contact your hotel to make changes and/or cancellations.
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- Credit Card Deposit: All reservation requests must be accompanied by a credit card guarantee. Your credit card WILL NOT BE CHARGED during this initial stage and will be held as a GUARANTEE only. The card is only charged in the event you cancel a room after March 31 or do not check in on your arrival date.
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Confirmation Emails: Orchid Events will send reservation acknowledgements within 24 hours via email. If you do not receive your acknowledgement in this time frame, contact Orchid Events. You will not receive a written confirmation from the hotel.
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Questions or Special Requests? For questions or special requests, please contact Orchid Events at 877-505-4611 or e-mail to NSDA@orchid.events. Special requests are not guaranteed.
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Transportation
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Transportation is primarily up to each individual program. Throughout the week, most teams opt for rental cars or buses. A discount code for Hertz is available using code CDP 2188961. Parking is available for purchase near the Convention Center at a variety of garages, including 500 E Marshall Street and 601 E Marshall Street.
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Venue & Hotel Maps
Discounts
Delta Meeting Event Code: NY4HL
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for the National Speech & Debate Association. Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY4HL.
*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via the reservation 800 number.
| Book now or call (800) 426–1122. | Book now to receive 20% off with CDP 2188961. |
Meals
Various food options will be available, including lunch and concessions! Stay tuned for further details and menus.
Overview: Safety and Security at the National Tournament
Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. Over the past year, we’ve carefully reviewed and strengthened our safety protocols to ensure every participant feels secure and supported throughout the competition.
This year’s Richmond Tournament will be held at local venues with new security protocols. We will have enhanced screening at all event entrances and are working closely with professional security teams, Richmond emergency management (police, fire, EMS, and weather), school district security, and convention center and theater staff to ensure strong emergency response plans are in place.
As in previous years, security personnel and nurses/EMTs will be on staff at every tournament venue, and the Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS) will be available as an additional support resource throughout the tournament. NSDA Tournament Officials will also be available at every venue to address any concerns you may have during the tournament.
Throughout the tournament, all participants are expected to follow the NSDA Code of Conduct, their school district policies and applicable state and federal laws.
We are committed to keeping you informed about safety measures and updates as the tournament approaches. If you have any questions or concerns about safety or wellness, please reach out to us at info@speechanddebate.org.
National Tournament Venue Policies
The following policies will be in place at all 2026 NSDA National Tournament sites to ensure the safety and comfort of our community. NSDA Tournament Officials with venue-specific security training will be onsite at every venue and available to address any questions or concerns.
- *NEW* Wristbands Required for Entry: All participants must wear a wristband for entry into tournament venues. Wristbands are non-transferrable and cannot be removed for the duration of the tournament. They will be distributed at registration. If a replacement wristband is required, the participant must present valid identification before being permitted entry into a tournament venue. If you have concerns about a participant from your school wearing a wristband, please complete the ADA Accommodations Request Form.
- Identification Badges/Ribbons: Within tournament venues, attendees must wear identifying ribbons at all times. This includes approved observers like parents and chaperones. Ribbons are distributed during registration and pinned to clothes.
- *NEW* Controlled Entry Points: Access to venues will be limited to designated entrances with security checkpoints for safety and monitoring. Details on entry point locations will be shared prior to the event.
- *NEW* Entry Inspection at All Venues: All attendees will be required to enter through OPENGATE weapons detection system at all tournament venues and may be subject to search. Items like laptops, glasses cases, and binders must be removed from bags and handed to security before walking through the OPENGATE system.
- Prohibited Items: No weapons, illegal substances or alcohol are permitted onsite.
Security screening is mandatory for all attendees, and we encourage everyone to arrive early to allow enough time. Anyone who does not complete the required screening or does not have proper tournament identification will not be permitted to enter the venue.
We will continue to provide updates on security protocols and provide venue-specific information closer to the event.
Stay in Touch
The Nats26 app is the hub for all urgent tournament communications, including any emergency announcements. It will be available for download in June ahead of the tournament.
Please make sure you have push notifications on in the app to stay up to date on all tournament announcements!