Glen,
I tag a few scapes the day before that I think will open.
I get up at the crack of dawn the day of the show and look over my scapes to decide what to cut ( some friends actually go out before dawn with a flashlight).
I cut the scapes with the cleanest look and best open flower(s).
I use to put tape over a plastic tote( with a little water in the bottom) in a checkerboard pattern to hold scapes up right. I that've also filled the tote with plastic water bottles and place scapes in those. Now I place a plastic crate upside down in the tote and use the holes in the crate to hold up the scapes. One or 2 members of my club even made PVC carriers. I will try to find a picture.
At the show you "groom" the scape. Clean, cut off brown bracts, cut fresh bud scars,
Make sure there is no pollen on the petals.......
AHS website has info on how to enter.
Lisa
