The Opening Ceremonies is the first public event of International Mr. Leather. It takes place on Thursday evening, May 25. Contestants will be given specific assembly time and location at the Thursday orientation.

The purpose of this event is to introduce the judges and the contestants to the public.

You will pick your contestant number at Opening Ceremonies. Your contestant number determines:

• which preliminary-interview group you are in
• which day and time to report for your interview
• the order in which you appear for your interview
• the group and order you appear at Physique & Stage Presence
• the order you appear on stage at the IML contest

What you choose to wear for this event is optional. There will be time to socialize with contestants and judges.

During Opening Ceremonies you will be lined up Alphabetically by last name, you will be introduced and then you will select your number for IML.

The specifics on order and stage directions will be covered in your rehearsal time.

These general guidelines may change, but are presented here to give you an idea of the simple staging. Specific staging instructions will be given at the rehearsal.

Contestants are guided by staff to the event, prepared by staff prior to walking on stage, and met by staff upon exiting the stage.

Your choice of attire is optional. This is a more casual appearance, wear what would you wear to the leather bar to make an impression. It is a perfect opportunity to wear a title vest.

Your Den Daddy will advise you where and when to report for your interview before you are dismissed from this event.

Contestant interviews are held on Friday, May 24, and Saturday, May 25. In groups, you will report on the day and time and place specified by your Den Daddy.

All contestants in their interview group must be on time, all the contestants in the group will be presented to the judges as one complete group then return to the contestant holding room.

Each preliminary-group will be brought to a holding room. Only authorized personnel are allowed in the holding room and interview room, therefore you may not bring anyone with you. Water will be available. You may also bring your own food and liquid.

Your interview is not open to the public.

Each contestant will be interviewed in numerical order.

Each interview will last no longer than 8 minutes.

The judges score your performance. (See scoring system.)

Your choice of attire is optional; wear what you want. Something that helps the judges understand more about who you are.

This event is open to the public and will take place on Friday evening, May 24. Contestants will be given specific assembly time and location at the Thursday orientation.

The judges score your performance on stage. (See scoring system.)

The purpose of this event is the presentation of your physique, stage presence, and public speaking ability to the judges and the audience.

For your first appearance, you will walk on stage as your name is announced in numerical order, take up your position, and remain there until all Contestants are on the stage with you. All Contestants will then exit the stage.

For your second appearance, you will enter the stage in your Preliminary Judging group, and take your assigned place. You have the run of the stage as you are introduced with information taken from your Contestant Profile. At the end of the introduction, you will spontaneously answer a question asked by the MC, and return to your place among your group. After the entire group has finished, you will exit the stage.

All contestants will be brought back on stage a final time. This will end the event.

These general guidelines may change, but are presented here to give you an idea of the simple staging. Specific staging instructions will be given at the stage rehearsal.

Contestants are guided by staff to the event, prepared by staff prior to walking on stage, and met by staff upon exiting the stage.

You are expected to dress in whatever you believe shows your physique to it’s full advantage but overall you should choose something that you are comfortable with yourself.  Contestants will have an opportunity for a maximum of three changes, however, changes of attire are not required.

The IML Contest will take place Sunday, May 26.

Contestants will be given specific assembly time and location at the Thursday orientation.

Bring all of the gear you plan to wear/use with you when you arrive as you will remain with us until after the end of the Contest. You may plan your attire around the following appearances:

1. Introduction of each contestant (All contestants - your choice of attire; leather recommended, sash, medal, title vest…)
2. Announcement of finalists (All contestants on stage - your choice of attire; leather recommended)

Finalists only:

3. Leather Image scoring follows right after Announcement of finalists.
4. Speech - wear what best represents you and your message.
5. Physique - erotic ware, jock, shorts, etc.
6. Announcement of winners - your choice of attire; leather recommended as this is a press/photography moment.

If there are any changes to these appearances, you will be notified at the Thursday orientation.

The theater dressing rooms are located on the second floor, so be prepared to negotiate stairs throughout the contest. If stairs are a problem for you, contact Jeff Tucker for special arrangements. Other than translators and interpreters, you may not bring anyone to assist you. Staff is present throughout the contest to assist you.

A complete contest rehearsal takes place at the theater. At this time you learn your placements on stage and run through each stage appearance.

A buffet is served. Water is available backstage throughout the contest. You are encouraged to bring additional solids and liquids for your private consumption. Remember to bring any medications you may need since you do not return to your room until late evening.

No preliminary scores are carried forward. All finalists are judged three times during the contest. See Scoring System.

Each finalist delivers a 90-second speech to the audience on a topic of his choice. A digital countdown clock is visible to you. At 91 seconds the microphone will automatically shut off. The microphone can be removed from its stand. If you do not verbally deliver your speech in English, you have 90 seconds for your delivery, and your interpreter/translator has an additional 90 seconds to verbally deliver your speech in English.

A special location is reserved for contestants who are not announced as finalists and must leave the backstage area. Non-finalists also have an option to sit where they choose.

After the contest, you and your gear will be transported back to the hotel. The winners will be brought back separately.