Vegas Baby!

[Tim_Wochomurka]

A great location for the nationals would be Las Vegas for a number of reasons. A few reasons are:

1. Cheap to get to- Las Vegas has numerous flights in and out for fairly cheap flights
2. Cheap to stay in- There are many hotels in Las Vegas that offer package deals and such
3- Lots of available venues (aka convention centres)- almost every hotel in Las Vegas have a Convention Centre- it only makes sense!
4- Lots of "extras"- i.e. Amusement Rides, Shopping, (for those of age) casinos
5- One of the best police forces
6- Did I mention that it's fairly cheap to get to/stay in?

[Jon K.]

I think that it would be fun. I haven't been to Nevada yet.

[Madison]

Originally posted by Tim_Wochomurka
A great location for the nationals would be Las Vegas for a number of reasons. A few reasons are:

4- Lots of "extras"- i.e. Amusement Rides, Shopping, (for those of age) casinos


I just wanted to address this one item (Surprised?).

Las Vegas doesn't really have all that much to entertain high school aged kids, in my mind. While there are rides scattered about, there's really no more than 20 (high end) in the whole city.

Speed: The Ride
Big Shot
Canyon Blaster
Whatever else is in Grand Slam Canyon
High Roller
Manhattan Express
Star Trek: The Experience
3 Simulators in Luxor
Probably a water park or two.

These are spread out considerably. Furthermore, they're very, very expensive. I know, for example, that Manhattan Express (an awful coaster by all accounts) is $10 per ride.

Shopping isn't that exciting, and I love to shop. Maybe that's just me, though.

Vegas made a significant attempt at catering to families in the mid 90's, and we saw the opening of many 'themed' hotels, like the MGM Grand and Excalibur. Now, though, those have given way toward more adult-oriented experiences such as the Belagio and Venetian Resorts. Never mind the gambling, drinking, and prostitution - all good stuff I'm sure Dean loves.

Does anyone know the square footage of the Epcot tent? I'm curious to see how other convention facilities measure up.

[Joe Matt]

You know, another post like this was deleted because it was repeated in another thread.

BTW, all of your "reasons" are all false by many accounts.

[evulish]

I think you could entertain most geeks with just the Star Trek ride :D (or at least this geek)

[Jamie_Richard]

I like the idea, of course it was my idea.

Vegas has food, and lots of food..

it can be summed up: Buffet

-Jamie

[Ryan Dognaux]

Las Vegas - Not the greatest city, in my opinion. Why don't they put a regional in some other state, like Colorado, Utah... Indiana ;)
But Las Vegas is just not the greatest place for a FIRST event to take place, with all the prostitution and stuff, it's sickening. Oh sure there are some cool things to see. But that's just it, all you can do is look. It's mostly all Casinos! Hmmmm... but I accidentally voted for the Yes option.... :( oh well.

[Kristina]

well las vegas may not be my favorite city but are you guys going to the same las vegas as me? because i've been there many times, only a few hour car ride away, and i don't see prostitutes swarming the streets. its not that bad!

But yeah, there's not that much to do especially if you've been there once. I mean, I'm 18 and that's still not legal enough to do most stuff and I LOVE shopping but the stores are so overpriced boutiques.

addition agreeing with tim's comment below: yes, there is just as much crime in any big city that you go to. when we were had free nights after the seattle competition we saw soooo many drug transitions go on right infront of us! it was very weird for us kids in the perfect model suburbia but its everywhere.

[Tim_Wochomurka]

A *LOT* of people think that Las Vegas is just full of prostitutes and drug dealers waiting to prey on drunks and casino go-ers. There are these types of people (Prostitutes, Druggies, ect) in every city- but almost NEVER right out in the open. Las Vegas has one of the best police forces, and most of this activity is kept in check.

[FotoPlasma]

To my knowledge, street prostitution is just as illegal in Nevada as it is in any other state. Conceptually, I have no problem with prostitution, just as I have no problem with minor drug use ("recreational" might be a good way to describe it).

As for the original question, as I said in another thread, if FIRST decides to hold Championships in Las Vegas I would not attend. I don't think Las Vegas is any kind of atmosphere for FIRST, being, in my humble opinion, a rather progressive organization. The kinds of values and actions promoted and glorified in Las Vegas utterly disgust me (decadence, greed, gambling).

Yeah, that's pretty much it, for me. I'd choose Disney World over Vegas, any day of the week.

[Tim_Wochomurka]

Some of your responses are rather harsh. I was jsut stating my opinion...

[Joe Matt]

Destructive vs. Constructive

I've been to Vegas 2 months ago and there wern't prostatutes, but porn and other things being handed out. Gambiling is promanent at all casinos and everything is overpriced (wanna get entertained for an hour and a half? pony up $100 per).

Plus, the main method of transportation is walking, Segway or not.

It won't and will never work. Nor will it happen as long as Dean loves FIRST.

[Ryan Dognaux]

The thing I hated when I went to Vegas were this people lined up on the streets handing out papers with pornography and all sorts of disgusting material on them. And the worst part was there were like 6 of them lined up in a row all trying to give people stuff I just wanted to say get a real job (I assume that's a job right? I mean, why else would they be doing it).

[AJ Quick]

Originally posted by M. Krass
Speed: The Ride
Big Shot
Canyon Blaster
Whatever else is in Grand Slam Canyon
High Roller
Manhattan Express
Star Trek: The Experience
3 Simulators in Luxor
Probably a water park or two.

Don't forget the Blue Man Group! :p

http://www.blueman.com/image/theatres/luxor_mirrormids.jpg

[Courtneyteam330]

I think it would be TERRIBLE to have the nationals in Las Vegas! If there is nothing bad about that place then why is Las Vegas nicknamed "Sin City"?There r so many different places 2 go 2 that would be a lot safer. Why go there?

[MikeFromTeam71]

I think it would be TERRIBLE to have the nationals in Las Vegas! If there is nothing bad about that place then why is Las Vegas nicknamed "Sin City"?There r so many different places 2 go 2 that would be a lot safer. Why go there?

i agree. if you take a bunch of students to Las Vegas, you are just asking for trouble. i know that there are a lot of advantages (cheaper, somewhat easier to get there, lots of venues, etc.), but along with all the good things there come the bad. in disney you couldnt get in nearly as much trouble as you could in Vegas. F.I.R.S.T should consider a lot before they make a final decision. ultimately F.I.R.S.T makes the call, and their call is final, but i would rather not see a national competition in Las Vegas.

[Amanda M]

Personally, I don't much lke the idea of Vegas, either. I live roughly 1 1/2 hours from there, and REALLY it's not a bad place. The locals are really nice and the neighborhoods are not what people think they would be. See, Vegas is like where my family goes when we decide we need to go shopping. There are three malls that are really nice, there's a waterpark, and there's a circus circus full of rides to add to the aforementioned list.

Also, as long as you stay in Henderson (the suburb town outside Vegas) or off of the strip, then the rates are really low. Usually, or as I have seen, FIRST teams are kinda spoiled (I know it and love it) and like to stay in the nice hotels, though. I think MGM is up to 300 dollars a night. It's huge and very posh. I know, I got lost in there once...

Airline flights are cheap, too. We fly out of there every year. It's a major airport.

The reason I don't want it to be there, though, is that I think Vegas is boring. I know my way arounf there REALLY well. So, maybe all of the people on the East coast would have fun, but I wouldn't be able to get into it.

[LizJJury]

you can see the blue man group in chicago too at certain times of the year....that is not a good enough reason alone to go. besides what about people who might be getting over a drug/gambling addiction. yes i do include alcohol and tobacco as drugs like they should be. not to mention that the parents would no t be going for the idea...at least not mine. besides.....what are they going to do put up a bunch of tents in the desert. Las Vegas doesn't have that kind of room anywhere except for the desert.


now...maybe las vegas in another state would be cool....depending on the size of it

[LizJJury]

oh and why not just go to California....it doesn't have as bad a rep and i am sure that there are tons of places there.

[Pin Man]

I don't think Vegas would be a good place. There is almost no high schools around Vegas. Besides Vegas is for people over 21. It's a gambling city. If you ever walk around Vegas there are people begging for money to gamble and such. I think Vegas should be the last place to have a championship.

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by Pin Man
There is almost no high schools around Vegas. Besides Vegas is for people over 21. It's a gambling city. If you ever walk around Vegas there are people begging for money to gamble and such.

Then where did all the Vegas teams come from?!?
987 NASA /Nevada Space Grant Consortium & Cimarron Memorial High School Las Vegas, NV USA
988 NASA/Nevada Space Grant Consortium & Clark High School Las Vegas, NV USA
989 NASA /Nevada Space Grant Consortium & Palo Verde High School Las Vegas, NV USA
990 NASA /Nevada Space Grant Consortium & ADV Technologies Academy Las Vegas, NV USA

Current high schools...
Advanced Technologies Academy
Area Technical Trade Center (ATTC)
Basic High School
Bonanza High School
Boulder City High School
Chaparral High School
Cheyenne High School
Cimarron-Memorial High School
Clark High School
Durango High School
Eldorado High School
Green Valley High School
Indian Springs Jr./Sr. High School
Las Vegas Academy
Las Vegas High School
Laughlin High School
Moapa Valley High School
Mojave High School
Palo Verde High School
Rancho High School
Silverado High School
Valley High School
Virgin Valley Jr./Sr. High School
Western High School

"In the next three years, the Clark County School District will open six new high schools...The nation's sixth-largest school district ...The 10-year tax freeze is the main funding source for a $3.5 billion plan to build 88 new schools in the coming decade. ...said the 2003-04 openings will be followed by three more high school openings in 2004-05. Two of those have been sited, one at Alexander Road and North Fifth Street, and another at Patrick Lane and Pecos Road. The third high school will be a careers and technical center in the northwest valley.

Only one high school is planned to open in 2005-06, but Dickens said the pace will quicken again in 2006-07. Three new high schools are planned for that year, followed by another three in 2007-08. "
2002

Vegas is much more than the downtown district and not just for people over 21.

[Pin Man]

just out of curiousity where did you find all that out?

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by Pin Man
just out of curiousity where did you find all that out?

I went to google, don't remember now what words I searched on...

1 (http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Apr-26-Sun-1998/photos/highschools.html)

2 (http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Mar-05-Tue-2002/news/18199361.html)

[AJ Quick]

There was a school in the movie "Pay It Forward" too.



Oh well, with no championships in Las Vegas, no Blue Man Group!

http://www.vegas.com/shows/blueman.jpg

[Amanda M]

Alright, I may not be a Vegas expert, but I know for a fact that there are TONS of High Schools in Vegas. In fact, they have to keep building them in order to keep up with the population, which is huge.

For my sources.. I talked to my elementary school principal at dinner tonight and that was one of the things we talked about.

[GoSparx]

F.I.R.S.T would never alow us to go to Vegas. There would be so many things kids could get into trouble. It would be nice but its not gonna happen.
Team SparX 1126-2003 Buckeye Regional Champions

[CyberKnights182]

i say we have the nat's in connecticut, so i dont have to pay for hotels and and planes. Then i wont need to shell out $1000 every year for the competition.:D

[Aaron Lussier]

Ok guys, we know where nats are gonna be and when there gonna be we dont need to talk about where FIRST is going to have them, ok?

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by Courtneyteam330
If there is nothing bad about that place then why is Las Vegas nicknamed "Sin City"?

Cuz of it's origins many many years ago, cuz of mafia that is now supposedly not in charge, cuz it's sins aren't hidden away as well as in other big cities

and things change.

Compare crime rates (http://www.movingvan.com/tools/CrimeTool.cfm)

Las Vegas, Nevada
Crime Rate: 5.0%
Crime Category
Murder: 109
Rape: 532
Robbery: 3,121
Aggravated Assault: 2,371
Burglary: 10,130
Larceny/Theft: 21,793
Motor Vehicle Theft: 9,772
Arson: 156


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Learn more about this city...
Houston, Texas
Crime Rate: 5.2%
Crime Category
Murder: 241
Rape: 748
Robbery: 8,350
Aggravated Assault: 12,178
Burglary: 24,774
Larceny/Theft: 66,068
Motor Vehicle Theft: 19,445
Arson: 803

[Danielle 212]

VEGAS would be a great place for nationals...
whats more fun that the city of lights?
besides, we deserve it after all of our hard work!
too bad not all of us are 18!

[Madison]

The City of Lights is Paris.

[MichalSkiba]

If your consernd about crime, prostitution and so on, have the finals in a beautiful city like Vancouver or Toronto (Downsview strategic airbase, were the Pope had his mass in August of 2002). Otherwises, Vegas is nice place, as its clean well controlled and so on. It would definatly be VERY inexpensive, i'm sure FIRST would be able to get good rooms for less then 100, not to mention that its easy to get to and shuttle service wouldn't be a problem. Just one little problem, in which venue would the finals be held? NOT in a hotel, and probobly somewhere in the suburbs like this year in Houston.

[Breanne M]

Canada would be a cool place for the Championships... :p