ASYNCHRONOUS EVENT INFORMATION

Please note--Editorial Impromptu was added to the async events after the original invite went out.  Please see the updated invite that is attached.

Deadline for Asynch Entries: Sunday, January 19 at 11:59PM - Schematics will be created and topics will be posted at this time.

Deadline for Asynch Video Links: Tuesday January 21 at NOON - Rounds 1 and 2 will be sent shortly after

Prelim Ballots - Sent out Tuesday at 1:30PM and due Thursday by 9:00PM

Final Ballots - Sent out Thursday at 9:30PM and due Saturday by 5:00PM

TOPIC INFORMATION - Both Broadcast Journalism and Editorial Impromptu will have Speaker-specific topics/editorials. For Broadcast Journalism, each speaker will have 3 topic areas that they must include in their script. For Editorial Impromptu, each speaker will be assigned a specific editorial for them to read/prepare a speech for. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SPEAKER ORDER. We do not want you to prepare for the wrong topic areas!

Tournament Hotel

The Sheraton Westport Chalet at 191 Westport Plaza will serve as the tournament hotel. The tournament rate is $134.00. The rate includes complimentary Internet access in each guest room reserved through the block.

For reservations, click the link Book your group rate for Gorlok Gala or call (314) 878-1500 and ask for "Gorlok Gala" rates. Should you encounter problems, ask for Nancy, or call Gina Jensen at Webster. Our block will be released Thursday, January 2nd!  PLEASE make your reservations early! Rates may well go up after this date!  Earlier reservations will also alert us to any need to increase the block prior to its cut-off date. 

Exemp Commentary Topic:  Given the current state of political dialog in the world, what specific roles and responsibilities should collegiate forensics/debate take in the broader political landscape?

Dear Forensic Colleagues,

The Webster University forensic program, Missouri Omega chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences invite you to the 27th Gorlok Gala Forensic Tournament, to be held on Webster’s campus January 24-26, 2025. We will be offering all 11 AFA individual events, along with open, junior and novice divisions of NFA-LD and IPDA debate. We will also offer a professional division of IPDA debate. In addition, we are pleased once again to offer duo improvisational pairs. Additionally, we plan to once again offer some of Pi Kappa Delta’s events—interviewing during the tournament, along with three asynchronous events—extemporaneous commentary, broadcast journalism, and this year we are adding podcasting. Students may compete in both debate and individual events, although some restrictions on cross-over are in place to help create a healthier schedule and adapt to campus space constraints. We have worked to ensure that the days do not become laborious for those who choose to participate in only individual events or debate. We do reserve the option of making last-minute schedule changes and apologize for the uncertainty and any inconvenience that may cause.

To help with planning and accommodating campus logistics, we must insist on meeting our Monday entry deadline. We have unique campus constraints that make the Monday deadline particularly imperative. WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT TURNING AWAY LATE ENTRANTS.

There are several incentives to entice you into attending the Gorlok...

• Our traditional pasta and salad bar Friday night, and our St. Louis Fare for Saturday lunch, featuring a collection of food unique to St. Louis, including frozen custard, Fitz’s Root Beer, and more!
• A very nice continental breakfast Saturday and Sunday
• A proverbial plethora of awards
• An opportunity to visit and play in St. Louis  

We are also continuing two annual awards—a Webster Alumni Award and a Community Citizenship Award. Please see these descriptions in the invitation and consider submitting a nomination.

Please contact us with any questions. We hope to see each of you in St. Louis this winter for the Gorlok Gala!

Gina Jensen                                                                                      Tom Serfass

Director of Forensics                                                                       Assistant Director of Forensics

Tournament Director                                                                      Webster University

Webster University