The event takes place on Independence Concourse (level 5-B) of the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street (10th and H Streets), N.W, in downtown Washington, D.C. Admission is free and limited to spellers, sponsors, spellers' family members, and credentialed media. Seating and camera positions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Members of our staff will be stationed at our Press Desk immediately outside the Grand Hyatt Washington’s Independence Ballroom during the hours of competition on June 1 and 2. Directions, round reports, additional 2005 Bee Week Guides, and other information may be obtained at this desk.

• Paige P. Kimble is the director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She will be available to answer questions before and after Bee Week as well as during Bee Week when the competition is not in session. Paige is the 1981 national champion, and she has served the program in various capacities since 1984. Before May 29 and after June 4, Paige may be contacted by phone (513-977-3040), by fax (513-977-3090), and by e-mail (bee@scripps.com). Between May 29 and June 3, Paige may be reached by calling the Bee's dedicated phone line at the Grand Hyatt Washington (202-624-8015).
  
  
• Mark Kroeger, director of communications and investor relations for The E.W. Scripps Company, will serve as the media liaison during Bee Week. He may be reached June 1 through June 3 by calling the Bee's dedicated phone line at the Grand Hyatt Washington (202-624-8015).
  
  
• Cybelle L. Weeks is the full-time administrative assistant for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She will be available to answer questions before, after, and during Bee Week. Before May 29 and after June 4, Cybelle may be contacted by phone (513-977-3040), by fax (513-977-3090), and by e-mail (bee@scripps.com). Between May 29 and June 3, Cybelle may be reached by calling the Bee's dedicated phone line at the Grand Hyatt Washington (202-624-8015).

The 2005 Bee Week Guide is our press kit. You are viewing the online version of this guide. The print version will first be available on May 22. To request a copy of the print version of the 2005 Bee Week Guide, please e-mail us.

Members of the media from recognized media outlets need not obtain credentials.

Before May 29, please contact the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s Cincinnati office by phone (513-977-3040) or e-mail (bee@scripps.com). During Bee Week--from May 29 to June 3--call the Grand Hyatt Washington (202-582-1234) and ask to be connected to the speller’s room. You may also try to find spellers in the proximity of the Independence Ballroom during competition hours.

Before May 29, please contact the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s Cincinnati office by phone(513-977-3040) or e-mail (bee@scripps.com). Between May 31 and June 3, please call the Bee's dedicated phone line at the Grand Hyatt Washington (202-624-8015). After June 3, please contact the Scripps National Spelling Bee's Cincinnati office by phone or e-mail.

Camera crews with press credentials are welcome inside the competition room during the hours of competition June 1 and 2. Camera operators are free to roam about the competition room as long as they do not obstruct audience viewing or disturb the work of the pronouncer and judges. Camera and camera operators are not allowed on the stage. There will be a large camera platform in the rear of the competition room. Space on this platform is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camera crews may set up in the competition room as early as 7 a.m. on June 1 and 2. Mult boxes are provided.

ESPN has arranged for a professional lighting company to light the Independence Ballroom for television broadcast purposes.

ESPN holds exclusive live coverage rights for the competition on Thursday, June 2.

Pool coverage is usually available throughout the competition. However, the Bee is not aware of this year’s pool coverage arrangements as of the print deadline for this book. For more details, please contact the Washington, D.C., pool chairperson.