Beehive Bonanza

Full tournament invitation available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ys1m74Doo6P74K8DMGkOC0rty99yhU4gM1g_2qLzLSA/edit?usp=sharing

The 2026 Bonanza will feature TOC finals bids for Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum debate.

NIETOC & TOC Bids will be awarded for speech.


Dear Colleagues,

The John R. Park Debate Society (the University of Utah forensics team) and the Department of Communication cordially invite your team to attend the 16th annual Beehive Bonanza, October 2nd and 3rd, 2026, on the University of Utah Main Campus in Salt Lake City, Utah. The tournament will feature Student Congress, all three styles of NSDA debate (Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, and Public forum), and eight IE events (dramatic interp, humorous interp, duo interp, programmed oral interp, extemp, oratory, info, and impromptu). We will offer both novice and varsity divisions in all events (provided adequate entries). Note: IE events with less than 10 competitors will not be held. The Beehive Bonanza will also offer three $1000 partial scholarships to top varsity finishers in the tournament in Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum (top speaker on the winning team receives a scholarship), and Policy Debate (the top speaker on the winning team receives a scholarship) when (and if) they attend the University of Utah and join the John R. Park Debate Society.

NOVICE CLINICS: On Friday afternoon during rounds 1 and 2, we will host a free-of-charge novice clinic in PF, CX, and LD debate events. Students will receive basic instruction, starter evidence/cases, and more. NOVICE COMPETITION BEGINS ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

University of Kentucky TOC Speech and NIETOC Bid Tournament: The Beehive Bonanza will be a bid tournament for the Tournament of Champions and NIETOC. Bids will be awarded per the rules of each respective organization and event.

JUDGE TRAINING: Judge training and assistance will be available throughout the tournament. All judges are expected to complete accreditation through the UDCA website, available here: https://utahdebatecoaches.org/debate-judges-corner/

Each year, we work to make the Beehive Bonanza a little better than last year’s tournament. Please read the invitation carefully to ensure that you are aware of both the particularities of the tournament and the amenities we have added to provide an exceptional tournament experience. Additionally, feel free to contact us with your feedback.

We look forward to seeing you at our coaches’ meeting on Friday, October 2. If you have any additional questions about the tournament, feel free to email (forensics@utah.edu) with any questions or comments. From our team to yours, we wish you the best for the competitive season.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Duncan Stewart, Director of Forensics

Averie Vockel, Assistant Director of Forensics

2026 Congress Docket: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vDGItm3kud3-bE5-QO9YdAZNDSnFkvEVb3yfPWMq18/edit?usp=sharing