Helping LMSCs Plan

Who should go?

The theme of this year’s Relay is event development, with a focus on building relationships with event directors, clubs, and aquatics facilities. LMSCs should select attendees who have the interest, skills, and passion for working with these groups or are a part of them. We also recommend sending a mix of tenured and new volunteers, with at least one long-time volunteer, one volunteer who runs an event, and one volunteer who has never participated in a USMS national-level meeting.

2026 Golden Goggle Awards

Through our partnership with USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation, USMS members attending Relay or NCC have access to attend Golden Goggles at a greatly discounted rate! This will be the first time an offer like this is available and we are extremely excited to extend it to our attendees. There will be a special section in the venue for USMS attendees and/or LMSCs who purchase the discounted tickets. If you want to be a part of the full Golden Goggles event with preferred seating, you will need to purchase the regular ticket or purchase a table.

Benefits include:

Admission to the live Golden Goggle Awards Show
Transportation to Golden Goggles (return will be attendee's responsibility)
Designated table seating to enjoy the program in comfort
Curated charcuterie boards and light desserts at your table
Two drink tickets per guest
Cash bar available for additional beverage purchases

There is a limited amount of discounted tickets available and tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis. There is a new field on the Relay 2026 Group Registration Form, where LMSC's can indicate if they are funding their attendees to attend Golden Goggles at the discounted rate of $175/ticket. Contact Volunteer Services for more information or individual ticket sales.

Eligibility

LMSCs will be funded based on the number of attendees they're entitled, determined by 2025 membership.

LMSC attendee entitlements for Relay 2026.
Please complete the Relay 2026 Group Registration Form and send it to Volunteer Services for the attendees representing your LMSC by August 14, 2026.

Registration Fee

$350 per attendee if submitted by August 14, 2026
$425 per attendee if submitted after August 14, 2026

Automatic Attendees - The following national volunteer positions receive automatic attendee status, and do not count toward LMSC entitlements:

Members of the Board of Directors;
and all members of the LMSC Development Committee

What if attendees want to spend extra nights? Attendees may extend their trip before or after Relay at the full negotiated room rate (based on availability), and would be responsible for the additional nights at their own expense.

What if more attendees want to come?

An LMSC may choose to bring more participants but must fund the entire cost for additional attendees.
Attendees may also choose to pay to participate.
Contact Volunteer Services for more information on total cost for additional attendees.

Hotel Reservations and Rooming

USMS will be making all hotel reservations for those attending Relay. We're asking LMSCs to make reasonable efforts to submit roommate preferences that have already confirmed they are comfortable sharing a room. If an attendee feels comfortable sharing a room and is in need of a roommate, the National Office will help assist in pairing suitable roommates.

Please complete the Relay 2026 LMSC Group Registration Form, which includes the following information, and submit to Volunteer Services for the attendees representing your LMSC:

Full name;
email address;
the type of room requested (double/double or private room);
roommate preference (if applicable);
Check in/out dates;
food allergies;
attending Golden Goggles;
other details.

Requests must be submitted by August 14, 2026 to guarantee a hotel reservation and early registration fee of $350. Requests received after this date may be subject to additional hotel fees and the registration fee amount of $425.

Expense Responsibilities

LMSC

Relay registration fee for each attendee from the LMSC
- $350 per attendee if submitted by August 14, 2026
- $425 per attendee if submitted after August 14, 2026
Optional Golden Goggle Awards ticket(s) for attendees from the LMSC
- $175 per ticket
USMS will bill the LMSC for the total in the monthly financial statements. Please complete the Relay 2026 LMSC Group Registration Form and send it to Volunteer Services for the attendees representing your LMSC by August 14, 2026.
Airline or mileage travel cost for attendee(s) to travel to Relay
Meals while in transit to and from Relay
Home airport transportation or parking
Other incidentals

USMS

½ of hotel cost for two nights (i.e., no cost for those who share a room, but attendees who request a private room will be responsible for the balance)
The following meals will be provided:
- Dinner on Friday night;
- breakfast and lunch on Saturday;
  - if attendees are not planning to attend Golden Goggles on Saturday night, dinner will be on their own.
- and breakfast on Sunday