Cheerleaders began flooding the city on Friday for a major competition that gets underway on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Convention Center.

Mike Martinez of Athletic Championships of Knoxville said some 6,000 cheerleaders are signed up.

He said counting judges, parents, relatives and friends, there will be some 18,000 people involved. But everyone won't be at the Convention Center at the same time as the competition is staggered throughout the day.

Competition continues on Sunday.

Mr. Martinez said it is the fifth year for the cheerleading competition in Chattanooga and the second biggest.
He said, "Last year was bigger. We changed the date and that hurt us some. But it is still big."

Competitors, 90 percent of whom are girls, come from 10 different states.

Mr. Martinez said there are 13 other such competitions across the country, "but Chattanooga is the biggest and has the most prestige. They want to come to Chattanooga and win because it is the biggest."

Among those competing are school teams, recreational squads and club teams. There will be some 350 teams competing for 50 national titles.

Mr. Martinez said the visitors have booked 5,500 room nights. Some of those taking part are having to bed down in Cleveland and Dalton.

Event Itinerary:
Date Time Space
Internal Set-up Tuesday January 11th 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Exhibit Hall C/D
(Unload trucks, need 4 laborers and 2 forks)

Move-in Wednesday January 12th 8:00 am-6:00 pm Exhibit Hall C/D
(Set up platforms for Arena B)
Thursday January 13th 8:00 am-6:00 pm Exhibit Hall A

Practice Area 11:00 am-3:00 pm Exhibit Hall B
Gravadi Activewear 12:00 pm-4:00 pm Exhibit Hall B
Floor 3:00 pm-7:00 pm Stage Exhibit Hall C/D & A
Solid Rock Prod. 12:00 pm-4:00 pm Exhibit Hall C/D & A
(Lighting, backdrop and sound)
Awards Ceremony 12:00 pm-4:00 pm Ballroom
Action Moments 4:00 pm-10:00 pm Exhibit Hall C/D & A
Mr. Video 4:00 pm-7:00 pm Exhibit Hall B
Spirit Innovations 4:00 pm-7:00 pm Exhibit Hall B
Champion Sports Training 4:00 pm-7:00 pm Exhibit Hall B

Awards Set Up 11:00 am- 3:00 pm Grand Ballroom
Registration and Admission (Friday) 4:00 pm-11:00 pm Lobby of Chattanooga CC Registration and Admission (Saturday) 7:00 am-2:00 pm Lobby of Chattanooga CC
Competition Office Meeting Room 21
Coaches Hospitality Meeting Room 16 & 17
Judges Hospitality Meeting Room 18

Competition Hours Saturday January 15 9:00 am-6:45 pm Chattanooga CC
Sunday January 16 9:00 am-6:45 pm Chattanooga CC

Move-out Sunday January 18 11:00 pm-1:00 am Chattanooga CC