Societies setting up and running agility shows need to address a number of main tasks:

• Nominate a Show Secretary, Show Manager and (optionally) a Show Committee (the Show Manager may not enter or compete at the show)
• Decide on a date, a venue and the classes to be run. Most Societies run their shows in the same week in each year. To avoid date clashes, a list of shows can be obtained from cat@thekennelclub.org.uk, or by phoning 0844 463 3980 Ext 207.
• Provisionally book the intended venue (for new venues consider venue size, surface, road access and availability of water, power and waste disposal).

Set up the show

• Obtain a licence: first apply in writing to the Kennel Club's Show Diary section for the desired competition date (use club headed stationery), ideally 18 months or more ahead of the show date; once the date has been checked and agreed, a licence application will be issued to the club, which must be returned with the fee no later than 6 months before the date of the competition (42 days for limited shows).
• Complete a Guarantors' declaration and return to the Kennel Club
• Confirm the venue and check any conditions of use and cancellation terms
• Draw up a budget
• Book your show processors (if used) and online entries service (if used)
• Draw up a provisional ring plan, allocating classes to rings on the basis of estimated numbers of entries
• Identify suitably qualified and experienced judges for all classes
• (Judges should be invited in writing, and asked to accept in writing; the club should then confirm the appointment in writing to form a three-part contract, except in Championship classes where Kennel Club approval must be obtained first  - see the Judges Section for details)
• Book agility equipment (provisional)
• Book trophy and rosette suppliers, caterers and veterinary cover
• Book hired facilities if required, such as skips, toilets, PA system, 'walkie-talkie' radios, tables and chairs, marquees, score tents, fire extinguishers

After the schedule is finalised

• Prepare and distribute a show schedule, using the appropriate Open, Limited or Championship or Premier Agility Show Specimen Schedule as a basis. Two copies of the Schedule must be sent to the Kennel Club – at least three months before the show date for Championship Shows, and at least one month before for Open and Premier Shows
• Prepare a risk assessment (see the Sample Risk Assessment form for guidance) and develop a safety plan to minimise risks
• Arrange adequate public liability insurance (the certificate must be displayed at the competition, with the Kennel Club licence)
• Appoint ring managers and allocate tasks such as parking control, PA system announcers, results processing, prize presentations, ring refreshments and judges and helpers lunches, car park checks for hot dogs, signage and equipment management

After entries close

• Once entries have closed, finalise the ring plan, splitting classes where numbers of entries make it advisable. Ensure no judge will be scheduled to judge classes for which 450 or more dogs have been entered (take into account change of grade notifications received from competitors after the entries have closed). Check for class timing clashes (especially for classes with low numbers of entries)
• Prepare a helpers list to ensure efficient use of volunteer helpers
• Confirm numbers of trophies and rosettes, catering and refreshment requirements, ring equipment etc
• For Championship classes only, prepare a catalogue including competitor details for each Championship class.
• Conduct a draw for running orders in all classes, and notify all competitors by post of their running orders and the ring plan (show processors will generally do this for you). Be sure to notify any changes of judges if applicable

At the show

• Ensure copies of the Regulations, all entry forms, catalogues, the competition licence, insurance certificate, awards, judges correspondence and an official Kennel Club incident Book (available free on request from the Kennel Club) are taken to the trial
• For Championship shows, within 14 days of the end of the show, send a fully completed copy of the catalogue, with all awards marked to the Services Team at Kennel Club
• Within two weeks, report to the Kennel Club if there were any incidents requiring a report (for example biting/aggression incidents, formal objections/complaints, changes of judging arrangements, cancellation or abandonment 

NOTE: The above list gives an idea of general timescales but many individual tasks will be done in a different order from above depending on circumstances.