It is my pleasure to open applications for MagicCon: Chicago 2024!
Applications close November 27th at 5 pm Central US Time. Acceptances will go out on December 8th.

If you have any questions about the event, email staffing@pastimesevents.com. Hope to see you at the event!
~Meg Baum, Staffing Manager

Apply Now!

Event Information

Show Location
McCormick Place Lakeside Center
2301 S. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616

Setup
Thursday, February 22nd
10:00 AM – Compleat

Show Hours
Friday, February 23rd
10:00 AM – Midnight

Saturday, February 24th
10:00 AM – Midnight

Sunday, February 25th
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Show Floor Hours (Use to be Expo Hall)
Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

All hours are subject to change

All Staff Expectations 

Communication

All Staff must have internet access and commit to regularly reading our staff Discord. We use our Discord as our primary method of communication.

Pastimes Convention Discord https://www.pastimesevents.com/discord

Contracts and Taxes

All staff for this event are brought on as independent contractors. You are required to fill out an Independent Contracting Agreement and either a W9 (US Citizens) or W8BEN (Non-US Citizens).

This paperwork, and any other paperwork will be completed through PDFFiller or another secure platform chosen by Pastimes. Payments and contracts may be processed by either Pastimes Events or tournamentcenter.

All staff must be legally able to work in the United States. All staff is responsible for their own taxes and legal obligations.     

All applicants prior to being selected for this event will be checked against the National Sex Offender Registry. If you have any questions about this, please contact Alan Hochman at alan@pastimes.net.

Some roles may require extended background checks.

Ticketed Play

Dress Code

Shirt
Pastimes will provide you with a T-shirt.
T-Shirts are Gildan G640 – Sizing Information
Bottoms
Comfortable and clean business casual bottoms that must be working/safety appropriate. Shorts are fine, skirts are fine, and any other bottoms that will not get you injured or arrested.
Shoes
Comfortable, safe working shoes. Must be closed-toed, close heel and a safe height.

Ticketed Play Compensation

All staff members will receive a 3-Day Tournament Staff badge for MagicCon: Chicago 2024 in addition to:

• Setup / Teardown
  $250
• Customer Experience, Back of House, Prize Wall and Floor Judge
  $250/day
• Scorekeeper, and Community Team
  $300/day
• Non-Open Team Lead
  $350/day
• Area Management Positions
  $425/day
• TO Assistant Team
  $475/day

Compensation payments will be processed via PayPal the Wednesday following the event. All payments are in USD. Payments and contracts may be made by either Pastimes Events or tournamentcenter.

Travel Assistance

There are levels of travel sponsorship available for this event. This sponsorship is to facilitate the unique needs of this event and to help staff with difficult travel needs. This is not intended to cover any form of travel expense fully; it is meant to assist.

VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE TRAVEL SPONSORSHIP.

All other travel needs are at the expense of the staff member. 

• Bronze
  $150
• Silver
  $300
• Gold
  $600

Shift Availability

Most Lead, Prize Wall, Administration, and Scorekeeping positions are three to four day commitments which require longer shift availability. Please only select days and roles on which you will be able to work.

It is possible to have different combinations of shifts throughout the weekend.

Shift Expectations

Shift Lengths

9.5 hours

Breaks
Minimum 1.5 hours for breaks scheduled to logistically fit the area you are working in.

Sunday, February 25th Teardown
All staff will be expected to assist with some amount of Teardown on Sunday. Staff will be expected to stand, bend, squat, and lift at least 15 pounds.

Setup: Thursday, February 22nd

We will need help on Thursday preparing our area as well as prepping product for the weekend.

Anyone selected for Setup will receive $250 for the shift.

The shift starts at 9:00 AM and will continue until the area is fully setup. This typically takes between 10 to 12 hours. Our goal is to be completed by 8:00 PM; however, this shift can take longer if all tasks are not completed. Please be prepared for physical tasks if you select this option. 

Staff will be expected to stand, bend, squat, and lift at least 40 pounds and to wear appropriate working clothing for physical tasks (Closed-toed shoes, breathable clothing, etc.) This is a safety matter.

Teardown: Sunday, February 25th

We will need help on Sunday preparing our stuff to head home to Chicago. Anyone selected for Teardown ONLY on Sunday will receive $250 for the shift.

The shift starts at 9:00 AM and will continue until the area is fully packed and on the truck. This typically takes between 6 to 8 hours.  Our goal is to be completed by 6:00 PM; however, this shift can take longer if tasks are not complete. Please be prepared for mostly physical tasks if you select this option. Staff selected will be expected to stand, bend, squat, and lift at least 40 pounds and to wear appropriate working clothing for physical tasks (Closed toed shoes, breathable clothing, etc).

This is a safety matter.

Standby

If you are selected for standby, you are not confirmed to work any day but agree to be available as necessary. 

Standby staff are not eligible for any travel sponsorship and will only receive a hotel stipend if activated.

Standby staff will receive the appreciation package and a full weekend 3-day badge to the event. 

You agree to physically be at the event, fit for duty and be available to be activated for the event within 8 hours of the shift you are activated for.

All standby staff must have internet access and commit to regularly reading our staff Discord. We use our Discord as our primary method of communication.

We may add standbys to staff before the event begins or even on-site. We will reach out at least 8 hours before you are expected on shift.

If you are not activated, we encourage you to come out and enjoy the event.

Roles & Expectations

You can apply for as many roles as you like. 

Area Manager Positions

Everyone in these roles will be expected to work all three days, commit to familiarizing themselves with Pastimes procedures, and have a one-hour Zoom meeting prior to the event to go over their area of responsibility.

Back of House Manager

Back of House Managers will maintain the behind-the-scenes logistics of the event.

• • Maintain the behind-the-scenes logistics of the event.

• • Work with leads to create and maintain break schedules for the staff in your areas of responsibility.

• • Ensure product is prepared for events.

• • First point of contact for product logistics issues such as abnormal product replacement.

• • First point of contact for logistics issues such as spills, table numbers, or tablecloths.

• • Work with the Prize Wall Leads to refresh products on the Prize Walls.

• • Manage Back of House staff to build, move, or break down banners and signage, and other show fixtures.

• • Maintain the backstage areas and staff rooms.

Everyone in this role will be expected to work all three days and be available for Setup.

Command Zone Manager

Command Zone Managers are responsible for one of the areas of play designated as the Command Zone. All of the Team leads of that area, and by extension, their teams, are their responsibility.

• • Command Zone Area Managers are responsible for one of the areas of play designated as the Command Zone.

• • Work with Team Leads to create and maintain break schedules for the staff in your areas of responsibility.

• • Work with Team Leads under your responsibility to launch and run On-Demand Command Zone events smoothly.

• • Ensure Team Leads and their Floor Judges are assisting players with Matchmaking Services in their Command Zone.

• • Be a first contact for escalating customer service issues within your area.

• • Maintain the events space.

• • Be the radio point of contact for your stage.

•  

Product Manager

Product Managers will be responsible for maintaining the backroom inventory of products for the event, both operational and for prizes.

• • Responsible for Tournament Staff assigned to the product side of Back of House.

• • Maintain break schedule for the staff assigned to the product side of Back of House.

• • Responsible for maintaining backroom inventory of products for the event, both operational and for prizes.

• • Manage product prep for all tournaments

• • Manage product refreshes for the Prize Wall

• • Maintain cleanliness of the Product area.

• • Ensure that Prize Tixs and other prizes are distributed to events

Everyone in this role will be expected to work all three days and be available for Setup.

Prize Wall Manager

Prize Wall Managers will be responsible for the following:

• • Responsible for Tournament Staff assigned to the Prize Wall.

• • Maintain break schedule for staff on Prize Wall

• • Be the first-line resource for staff on your team

• • Work with Back of House to maintain a record of Prize Wall inventory, including the opening and closing inventory.

• • Merchandise Prize Wall, maintaining a professional and enticing appearance at all times.

• • Send staff to areas where specific prizing is handled and coordinate those procedures.

Everyone in this role will be expected to work all three days and be available for both Setup and Teardown.

Scorekeeping Manager

Scorekeeping Managers will be responsible for all scorekeepers across the event.

• • Create and maintain a break schedule for the Scorekeeping staff.

• • Ensure Scorekeepers are filling and maintaining the Tournaments Tracking document.

• • Ensure Scorekeepers are filling and maintaining the Log of Significant Issues.

• • Log of Significant Issues is in the Show Books for each area

• • This log is used to note deviations from standard procedure. This should be completed as soon after the situation as possible to maintain the memory of the situation.  

• • Be a first contact for scorekeeping issues and troubleshooting.

Tournament Area Manager
Tournament Area Managers are responsible for one of the main color-coded areas of the tournament floor. All of the Team leads of that area, and by extension, their teams, are their responsibility.

• • Work with Team Leads to create and maintain break schedules for the staff in your areas of responsibility.

• • Work with Scorekeepers and Team Leads under your responsibility to launch and run events smoothly.

• • Work with other Tournament Area Leads to allow the flow of events and personnel between areas.

• • Ensure Scorekeepers are filling and maintaining the Tournaments Tracking document.

• • Be a first contact for escalating customer service issues from tournaments within your area.

• • Maintain the events space

• • Be the radio point of contact for your stage.

Lead Positions

Floor Judge Team Lead

Floor Judge Team leads are primarily responsible for the events and judges within their assigned team. 

• • Maintain the established break schedule for floor judges on your team

• • Ensure tournaments launch and run smoothly

• • Maintain your area (pick up trash, push in chairs, and so on)

• • Be the first-line resource for judges on your team and the point of contact for your team 

Customer Experience Lead

Customer Experience Leads will be assigned to one of the customer service areas at the event and are primarily responsible for the staff within their assigned team.

• • Maintain the established break schedule for staff within your area.

• • Be the first-line resource for staff on your team

• • Maintain your area (pick up trash, push in chairs, and so on)

 

Non-Lead Positions

Customer Experience 

If selected for an administration role, you may be asked to work in one or more of the following areas:

• • Registration

• • Customer Experience (Info Desk)

• • Line Management

Most folks in this role will be expected to work all three days, although a few may be scheduled for less than three days.

Back of House

Staff working back of house will help maintain the behind-the-scenes logistics of the event; you may be asked to do any of the following:

• • Prepare product for events and take it out to the Floor Judge staff

• • Lift and move at least 40lbs

• • Be on their feet and moving most of the day

• • Bring product refresh to Prize Wall

• • Build, move or break down banners and signage

• • Help maintain the back and staff rooms

This role will require more physical labor than other aspects of the event. Please keep this in mind while applying.

Community Team 

This team reflects some of the more community-focused tasks and responsibilities that were filled by advanced roles and projects of the past. Staff on the Community Team will be expected to do the following:

• • Talk to other staff members, especially in the language they are most comfortable in, about their experiences at the event and in the community.

• • Shadow other staff members on calls when possible and provide feedback to the observed staff member.

• • Collect feedback from staff to be submitted to Pastimes and Wizards of the Coast.

• • Submit a post-event report on the feedback gathered to the Staffing Manager.

•  

Floor Judge

If selected as a Floor Judge, you may be asked to assist in non-judge tasks at any time. 

You may also be asked to do any of the following:

• • Floor Judge Scheduled Tournaments

• • Floor Judge On Demand Tournaments

• • Distribute product to players

• • Distribute Prize Tix

• • Be on your feet and moving most of the day

Prize Wall

Prize Wall staff will help maintain and run the Prize Walls at the event.

• • Lift and move at least 40lbs

• • Be on their feet and moving most of the day

• • Be prepared to interact with players and answer their questions

• • Exchange Prize Tickets for items off the wall

Most folks in this role will be expected to be available for Setup.

Scorekeeper

Scorekeepers will work with registration to enroll players in both scheduled and on-demand events, along with performing results entry/ troubleshooting.

• • This event will be run using EventLink or Melee.

• • Scorekeepers will be expected to familiarize themselves with EventLink and Melee before the event.

• • Fill and maintain the Events Tracking document.

• • Fill and maintain the Log of Significant Issues.

Most folks in this role will be expected to work all three days, although a few may be scheduled for less than three days.

TO Assistant Team

Everyone in these roles will be expected to work all three days, commit to familiarizing themselves with Pastimes procedures, and be available for two one-hour meetings prior to the event to go over their area of responsibility. 

The TO Assistant Team is intended to be specifically assigned to a Pastimes employee and be their help to execute their duties at a show. In case of an emergency where a Pastimes employee is incapacitated or unable to continue the show, these staff members will assume the duties of the assigned Pastimes employee for the remainder of the show. This team requires the staff member to be present for Setup.

Assistant Manager – Administration

This staff member will be assigned to Liz Richardson and assist her in supporting and maintaining the Scorekeeping, information, and any registration for the show. 

All information desk staff and scorekeepers are under this purview, as well as any coordination with Reedpop staff. If there is a time when onsite registration needs to be enacted for more than On-demand events registration, that would also be part of this position’s area of responsibility. 

In case of emergency, this staff member will be expected to maintain the exit scorekeeper procedures and paperwork for closing the show.

Assistant Manager – Logistics

This staff member will be assigned to Alex Hurley and assist him in the running of back-of-house logistics for the show.

Back of House, Prize Wall, and Product are all under this purview. The Logistics Assitant Manager will (alongside Alex) ensure that Area Managers are supported and following Pastimes’ procedures while maintaining Pastimes’ expectations on professional appearance and performance. If there is a time when a staff member needs to leave the site to pick up materials for the show, that would also fall under this staff member’s purview.

In case of emergency, this staff member will be expected to maintain the exit inventory and shipping logistics for closing the show.

Assistant Manager – Staffing

This staff member will be assigned to Meg Baum and assist her in supporting and maintaining the Judge and other ticketed play staff for the show. 

All staff members are under this purview; the focus for this position is on the people on staff as opposed to product or procedures. The Staffing Assitant Manager will (alongside Meg) ensure that Area Managers and Head Judges are supported and following Pastimes’ operations. Any Judge or staff functions (including but not limited to the staff party, coordinating any conference presentations ran, or break room monitoring) are also under this purview.

In case of an emergency, this staff member will be expected to verify that all staff members have received their gift packages and other items before leaving as well as maintaining staff functions.

Assistant Manager – Ticketed Play Events

This staff member will be assigned to John Temple and assist him in supporting and maintaining the tournaments running at the show and other ticketed play event logistics for the show. 

Color-coded ticketed play stages and events assigned to them are under this purview. While this staff member will directly report to John, this staff member’s main responsibilities will be being on-call when John needs assistance and otherwise will be working with Meg Baum to ensure the successful launch of keystone events (Open, SLS, Unknown etc) as well as coordinating the distribution of Judges between stages to suit the current logistical needs of the event on a case by case basis. 

In case of emergency, one of the other Pastimes employees will step into Johns role and this staff member will be expected to ensure that the Keystone events conclude and assist the other Assitant Managers in their roles while the other Pastimes employees close out the show. 

The Open

Compensation

All staff members will receive a 3-Day Tournament Staff badge for MagicCon: Chicago 2024 in addition to:

• Head Judge
  $550/Day
• Appeal Judge
  $475/Day
• Open Team Lead
  $375/Day

Roles, Requirements, and Expectations

Head Judge
The Head Judge for the Open needs significant experience running large tournaments with a focus on high attendance logistics. This judge must be held in high esteem by judges and players and would benefit from an international profile. Language skills are a plus, but can be supplemented by the Appeals Judges. Open Head Judges are expected to do both pre-event and post-event work on their tournament such as building teams, 

Appeals Judge
Appeals Judges for the Open need extensive experience at major events with a focus on high attendance logistics. They must also have significant head judge experience taking appeals and conducting investigations.
To be considered for an Appeals Judge position, a judge should have Head Judged at least three (3) major tournaments. (A major tournament is a tournament of 300+ players with a judge team structure and a minimum of 16 judges assigned to the main event.)
Appeals Judges are selected as part of a team, and must have the right fit with the Head Judge and other Appeals Judges of the event.
Ideally the Appeals Judges would have fluent language skills in most major languages among the judges who can take appeals.

Open Team Lead
Team leads are primarily judges and tasks within their assigned team. 
Maintain the established break schedule for floor judges on your team
Maintain your area and the tournament floor at all times
Be the first-line resource for judges on your team and the point of contact for your team.

Scorekeeper

Scorekeepers for the open need to be an expert in using Melee.gg. They must have extensive experience troubleshooting Melee as well as handling front-line customer service issues regarding registration and scorekeeping for the Open. Applicants must include a list of large (500+ player) events that they have scorekept in the past. 

The Pro Tour

There will be less than 35 people on staff for this portion of the event.

Applying for a non-PT role does NOT disqualify you from working the Pro Tour. Filling out the rest of the application is necessary even if you are only working the PT. 

That tournament will have a separate compensation, travel scheme, and break structure and be staffed to accommodate its unique needs. 

Compensation

All staff members will receive a 3-Day Tournament Staff badge for MagicCon: Chicago 2024 in addition to:

• Head Judge
  This position is not open for application, this information is here for transparency.
  $550/Day
• Appeal Judge
  $475/Day
• Scorekeeper
  $400/Day
• Floor Judge
  $375/Day

Pro Tour Travel Assistance 

This Travel Assistance replaces the one from the regular application. There is no need to apply for this travel assistance; it is included as part of the compensation package for Pro Tour Chicago 2023. All staff members of the Pro Tour will be provided a flight to the event. Pro Tour staff members receive the hotel stipend from the regular application. 

Pro Tour Roles, Requirements, and Expectations

All Staff 

All staff for the Pro Tour are expected to maintain a professional manner and appearance at all times. 

There is more need of staff earlier in the weekend; as the tournament narrows progressively towards the end, the judge staff will need to shrink accordingly. We will have more floor judges on Friday than on Saturday and, subsequently, significantly more on Saturday than on Sunday. 

A basic expectation of anyone on the floor of the PT is high-level knowledge of Rules, Policy, and MTG tournament mechanics.

Head Judge

The Head Judge for the Pro Tour needs significant experience running large tournaments with coverage as a priority. This judge must be held in high esteem by judges and players and would benefit from an international profile. Language skills are a plus, but can be supplemented by the Appeals Judges. Pro Tour Head Judges are expected to do both pre-event and post-event work on their tournament. 

• • This position is not for open application. This information is here for transparency. This is a position that will be offered to a qualified judge at the discretion of Pastimes and Wizards of the Coast. 

Appeals Judge 

Appeals Judges for the Pro Tour need extensive experience at major events featuring coverage as part of the staff. They must also have significant head judge experience taking appeals and conducting investigations. Appeals judges are chosen before other event applications with the purpose of providing feedback on Pro Tour applications for Floor Judge and Team Leads. 

• • To be considered for an Appeals Judge position, a judge should have Head Judged at least three (3) major tournaments. (A major tournament is a tournament of 300+ players with a judge team structure and a minimum of 16 judges assigned to the main event.)

• • Appeals Judges are selected as part of a team, and must have the right fit with the Head Judge and other Appeals Judges of the event.

• • Ideally the Appeals Judges would have fluent language skills in most major languages among the judges who can take appeals.

Scorekeeper

Scorekeepers for the Pro Tour need expert-level knowledge in Melee as well as an understanding of Coverage. The focus will be on troubleshooting and being comfortable fielding and completing Coverage requests.  They must have extensive experience troubleshooting Melee as well as handling front-line customer service issues regarding scorekeeping. Applicants must include a list of large (500+ player) events that they have scorekept in the past. 

Floor Judges 

Floor Judges should be experienced with the operations of major events. Experience with Coverage at events is a positive, but not required for all staff. Language skills will be prioritized and this may prioritize less experienced judges to create a complete team. 

•  

Questions

If you have any questions about this application, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact the Staffing Manager.

Meg Baum, Staffing Manager – staffing@pastimesevents.com