HOSA’s Competitive Events Program. Even with a transition to a Virtual ILC, HOSA is not “skimping” when it comes to competitive events! In fact, a majority of what we are offering virtually is comparable to competitors’ experiences during an in-person setting. HOSA is not reducing the quality of the competitive event experience, and in many ways, competitors will receive new added value through virtual opportunities. There are advantages in offering competitive events virtually.

Competition Dates: Competitors will compete Wednesday, June 23 through Friday, June 25th (all rounds, all components).

Event Numbers and Overview:
HOSA is providing the same level of competition that competitors receive in-person at HOSA’s 2021 VILC:

• 82 unique HOSA competitive events will be offered at HOSA’s 2021 VILC
• 32 test-only events
  • 32 in a normal in-person setting also
  • 4 of these test events have additional essay questions added to the online test to help break ties in a virtual environment. The other 28 already had essay questions included in existing test content.
  • 15 of these test events are specifically part of the National Geographic Learning Academic Testing Center
  • The HOSA Onine Testing System will be used to administer all tests as part of the HOSA Competitive Events Program at VILC 2021. At an in-person conference we offer paper/pencil testing. Our Chartered Associations have used our Online Testing System for years so we will have no issues transitioning to its use for VILC 2021.
• 22 ADDITIONAL events have a test component for the ROUND ONE competitor. (Note: This year in the virtual setting, HOSA is not simply offering a round one test only. All 22 events will have a round two component.)
• Pre-Submitted Content: During an in-person conference, HOSA competitors have required uploads for each applicable competition. They submit copies of portfolios, video links, project content, etc. to a HOSA partner platform called Tallo by May 15th every year. This is not changing for VILC. We will collect the project content the same way from competitors – the difference will be that judges view this content remotely over Zoom during each competitor’s assigned competition time – as opposed to viewing it on a laptop in a physical room when the competitor arrives for their competition time at the conference center in Orlando. Again, HOSA is providing the same level of competition that competitors receive in-person. HOSA does not water down competition for virtual! will remain the same as if we were live.
• 19 LIVE presentation/speech/interview events: Competitors will report to the provided Zoom link at the designated time and present their content for judges live over Zoom. Competitors are scheduled in intervals over an approximately 3-hour window. Judges will have access to any applicable uploaded content that competitors previously submitted and will view the content in conjunction with the live presentation/speech from competitors.
• 8 unique LIVE events: 8 events will be offered live over Zoom with some very creative setup, scheduling, and planning. Implementing a Medical Spelling spelldown over Zoom, for example; coordinating live tournament bracket style events where teams are debating against each other and answering HOSA bowl questions live as they advance in the bracket; and getting really creative with the use of breakout rooms in Zoom to provide secret topics to competitors, give them time to prep, then move directly into a virtual presentation room with judges – all live, real-time June 23rd – 25th.
• 16 LIVE Skill Events. HOSA is creating our own simulated skill environments online. Numerous new and existing HOSA partners are helping contribute to the simulated environments by contributing dynamic content.
  • A sample video is being created to share online with competitors to give information and context for the clinical skill event portions at VILC.
  • Creating our own simulated environment allows HOSA to align to the HOSA skill event guidelines and provides an equal platform for all – while still testing knowledge and skills and ultimately will be able to determine International Winners in a fair and equitable manner.
  • For the live skill events, competitors will still be given individual appointment times and report to a Zoom link where they will be immersed in the simulated skill environment and be asked the questions live in front of judges.
• 13 CE Virtual Event Displays: For 13 events, we will be creating a virtual display gallery in which competitor’s projects will be posted and made available for VILC delegates to view and learn from. An exciting draw for many but will be especially helpful to newer chapters looking for examples of event projects.
• 2 CE Meet and Greet Events: A new concept in the virtual setting will be highlighting 2 special events with live discussion and information sharing for conference delegates. Competitors who participate in these events will be able to take part in a facilitated discussion about what they learned, how the event will help them on their future career path, tips they would give to future competitors, etc.
• 5 Events in CE Recognition Hall: A special area of the virtual platform will be designated for recognition purposes. All competitive events that fall in the Recognition Category will be highlighted in this special “Hall” so that competitors can receive much-deserved recognition for their volunteer work, fundraising, and special project efforts.
• Judge Teaching Moments: During an in-person conference it becomes nearly impossible to offer constructive feedback to competitors as normally we process over 10,000 competitors on-site in a two-day window. The scheduled timeline of event rooms with having to finish an event, clear the room, and prepare for the next event becomes paramount. In a virtual setting, we are not confined by those physical room limitations and so have additional flexibility after an event concludes to poll judges. After judging this year, judges will be asked a series of questions to highlight what went well in the event and areas that competitors seemed to miss the mark. Comments will be collected via video and edits will be made after VILC to share. The videos created can be used for reflection by VILC 2021 competitors and by prospective event competitors for future years.