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For the Media

  • Location and Admission
  • Schedule
  • Credentials
  • Press Desk Services
  • Spokespersons
  • Updates and Round Reports
  • Requests for Interviews
  • Broadcast Information
  • Coverage, Rights and Video Cameras
  • Lighting

    • Location and Admission
    The event takes place on the Independence Concourse (level 5-B) of the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street (10th and H Streets), N.W., in downtown Washington, D.C. The event is not open to the general public.

    Schedule
    Click here for details.

    Credentials
    Upon arriving at the Grand Hyatt Washington on May 28 and 29, members of the media should see our Press Desk outside the Independence Ballroom. On Friday, May 30, credentials may be obtained from our staff on the Constitution Concourse of the Grand Hyatt Washington (level 3-B). Members of the media must obtain credentials prior to being granted admission to the competition venue on Friday.

    Click here to download the media credential application. You may bring your completed credential application to the Press Desk during Bee Week to obtain credentials.

    Press Desk Services
    Members of our staff will be stationed at our Press Desk immediately outside the Grand Hyatt Washington’s Independence Ballroom during the hours of competition on May 29 and 30. The Press Desk phone number is 202-­239-4060.

    Spokespersons
    Paige P. Kimble is the director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She will be available to answer questions before and after Bee Week as well as during Bee Week when the competition is not in session. Paige is the 1981 national champion, and she has served the program in various capacities since 1984. Before May 23 and after June 1, Paige may be contacted by phone (513-977-3040), by fax (513-977-3803), and by e-mail (bee@scripps.com). Between May 24 and May 31, Paige may be reached by calling the Press Desk phone number (202-­239-4060).

    Tim King, director of employee communications for The E.W. Scripps Company, will serve as a media liaison during Bee Week. He may be reached May 26 through May 31 by calling the Press Desk phone number (202-­239-4060).

    Mark W. Kroeger, director of communications and investor relations for The E.W. Scripps Company, will serve as a media liaison during Bee Week. He may be reached May 26 through May 31 by calling the Press Desk phone number (202-­­­239-4060).

    Updates and Round Reports
    Round reports will be at the Press Desk about one hour after the conclusion of each round. Members of the media who are on site and need a report urgently should visit the Press Desk for a results printout from the Internet. Members of the media who are covering the Bee and are not on site for the event should keep in mind the following provisions:

    1. Results will be posted here in real time on May 29 and 30.
    2. Members of our Press Desk can provide a phone update. The Press Desk phone number is 202-­­­239-4060. The Press Desk hours of operation are: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27; 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28; 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29; 6:00 a.m. to midnight Friday, May 30; and 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.

    Requests for Interviews
    Corrie E. Loeffler, project manager for the Bee, serves as interview coordinator for the champion.

    Corrie’s e-mail address is corrie.loeffler@scripps.com. Her phone number before May 23 is 513-977-3040. Her phone number between May 24 and May 31 is 202-­239-4060 Her phone number after June 1 is 513-977-3040.

    During Bee Week—from May 26 to May 31—members of the media who desire an interview with a speller (not the champion) should call the Grand Hyatt Washington (202-582-1234) and ask to be connected to the speller’s room. Also, spellers may be found in or near the Independence Ballroom during competition hours.

    Broadcast Information
    The Quarterfinals air live on ESPN360.com from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 29.

    The Semifinals air live on ESPN from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 30.

    The Championship Finals air live on ABC from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 30.

    Coverage, Rights and Video Cameras
    ESPN and ABC hold exclusive live-coverage rights for all competition hours on Friday, May 30. Absolutely no personal video cameras and no television video cameras—other than ESPN’s and ABC’s—will be allowed in the Independence Ballroom for the ABC live broadcast.

    Lighting
    ABC has arranged for a professional lighting company to light the Independence Ballroom for television broadcast purposes.