Bringing 18,000 visitors and an estimated $20 million to Knoxville, the Destination Imagination global finals witnessed record turn out last week with over 1,400 teams competing.
For the 14th consecutive year, the competition returned to Knoxville to present qualifying teams with seven new challenges aimed to improve the creativity, team-building, critical thinking and communication skills of its participants.
After competing in regional and affiliate tournaments throughout the year in preparation, DI teams progressing to the Global Finals put their skills to the highest test.
And though DI is primarily educational, DI Tennessee Affiliate Director Linda Chambers points out that there is no lack of fun along the way.
“It’s truly a global event…the biggest ever,” Chambers said. “The Expo vendors were fabulous, and we beat the world record for the most people wearing duct tape at our Duct Tape Ball.”
The children participating aren’t the only beneficiaries.
Businesses on the Strip witnessed a considerable surge in customers with signs acknowledging the DI tournament to further draw people in.
A volunteer-led competition, the DI global finals hired some 250 UT students through the UT Conference Center to help orchestrate the event. Students are a significant force behind the scenes doing everything from driving shuttles and guiding tours to selling souvenirs and working at information desks. Students also worked vendor booths at the Innovation Expo, a large exhibition of recent innovations that participants can see and test on-hand while businesses and organizations are able to generate publicity.
Christie Thiessen, a senior in communication studies and psychology, has worked with DI for the past two years setting up and taking down any equipment used.
“I ended up working at the Sparticl booth this year which is a non-profit website for teens to get accurate science information,” Thiessen said. “It’s a really great resource, and they came to this event because it’s a really good place to find their target audience.”
This year’s expo featured interactive displays from 31 different vendors, including Sparticl, NASA and National Geographic.
Thiessen said that the Innovation Expo, as well as the DI Global Finals, brings something valuable to participants and the community.
“There’s a spirit of scientific curiosity and passion,” Thiessen said. “I think that it’s that energy that makes the event really unique and really great.”
