The ideal place for the FRC Championships? [Archive]

tribotec_ca88

21-07-2004, 16:22

So...if you could choose any place on earth for the site of the FIRST Robotics Competition Championships, where would it be? Along with your ideal FIRST getaway, give your explanation!! Let's be creative here people!!!
Hey and who knows...if we can get some real great ideas i may volunteer myself to do the dirty job of sending them to the FIRST organization...they may forever ban me or give me the cold shoulder, but hey it doesn't hurt to try!!!!

My dream site for the Nats, in my opinion, would have to be Paris!!! I mean it would just be awesome!!! Maybe then the game of that year would be involved with like architecture, arcs, bridges...those of which paris displays oh so proudly...i don't know a word of french but so what? half the kids on my team have no english whatsoever but they managed to survive in NJ.
but if I were to be realistic I'd probably say texas would be the best place for a championship...it's geographically a great location, there's sooo much to do there, climate's excellent, and i daresay it would attract a nice crowd...rio de janeiro would be awesome too but that just takes me back to my fairy tale...

have a better idea? let's hear it!!!

Ben Lauer

21-07-2004, 16:37

Well I think it would be cool to have the Championship in another country. I would say maybe Australia or Japan. In Aus, wow, other side of the world, maybe we could get some teams started over there. I don't know if they could get kids to build during the summer though. Japan...I have only one thing to say...Think of how big "Big Mike" would be them!

Dorienne

21-07-2004, 16:41

So...if you could choose any place on earth for the site of the FIRST Robotics Competition Championships, where would it be? Along with your ideal FIRST getaway, give your explanation!! Let's be creative here people!!!

I must say, this is an awesome thread idea! *two thumbs up*
Anyways, I love Spain, and I think it'd be awesome to have the FRC Championships. I just think the culture would be a good change for FIRST. Branching out would be great, and hey, maybe even snag some interest for teams in Spain and other countries! :) Who knows....
--d0ri

Katie Reynolds

21-07-2004, 17:06

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/3162/HiPlains/GeoCenter/geocenter_lebanon_sign.jpg

How about Lebanon, Kansas. It's the geographic center of the US. :p

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/images/NDRUGcenter.jpg

Or maybe Rugby, North Dakota. It's the geographic center of North America.

http://disney-world-kingdom.visit-orlando-florida.com/epcot-center-orlando.jpg

Or maybe somewhere a little more exciting ... like back in Orlando.

:yikes:

Mike Schroeder

21-07-2004, 17:21

Yes it needs to be back in disney world... there was soo much to keep the kids occupided with :)

JVN

21-07-2004, 17:26

Atlanta, Ga.

:)

Lisa Rodriguez

21-07-2004, 17:54

Back in Disney, it was just THAT great to be in the epcot parking lot!:D

and scaring normal guests.......

nothing like wearing a shirt saying RAGE all over it in public

Billfred

21-07-2004, 18:29

I propose that the championships be held at 6671 St. Andrews Road, Columbia SC 29212.

Why's that, might you ask? Well, it's the location of Irmo High School, my alma mater. And it would mean I'd never miss a championship! MUAHAAHAA!

But realistically, I'm down with Atlanta. Big-city coolness with next-door drivetime for me. Orlando would be cool as well, or even Washington DC.

Bharat Nain

21-07-2004, 19:00

I propose Peter Island, in the virgin islands group. That just steals my heart, even though I don't think it can hold 300 teams, but it would be simply fantastic to have the Championships held there. It's totally unrealistic, but just a thought.

Sean Schuff

21-07-2004, 19:04

What place/people need the most inspiring? The countries of the former Soviet Union? The Middle East? Africa?

Isn't that the point of all of this? To inspire the next generation of inventors, creators and discoverers? So why not go where we are needed the most! And where inspiration and hope are needed the most. I know that we still have a lot of people to inspire here in the good old U.S. or A. but there are other places out there in far worse shape than we are!! Why not go to one of those places and give them a glimmer of hope and inspire THEM to change THEIR world?

That being said, I still miss Orlando. I didn't worry so much about the kids on our team. And there was plenty of good, wholesome family entertainment during the down-time (when there was any!).

Great thread!

Sean

Stephen Kowski

21-07-2004, 20:08

http://disney-world-kingdom.visit-orlando-florida.com/epcot-center-orlando.jpg

Or maybe somewhere a little more exciting ... like back in Orlando.

I second that....look @ the $$ you will save at hotels....flights there are cheap....and you can't tell me there is a place ppl in high school can do more in

Jon K.

22-07-2004, 00:34

I miss Disney, I only went down there with my team 1 year, and that was in 02 when we won the championship with 71, and 66. That was just amazing and the venue was awesome, with the airconditioned tents and the giant pit tent. And everyone could see the field easily because the bleachers ended and maybe 10 or so feet away was the field, so you were able to feel more involved and not just like a spectator. Plus you never felt like the place was empty like you do in some of these larger football stadiums.

Greg Needel

22-07-2004, 00:59

Hawaii! can we say wrap party on the beach

sanddrag

22-07-2004, 00:59

I know you said on earth but I think it would be really cool to have on the moon. It would be hella expensive but hey, maybe one day. See that way you could pack much more robot into the same 130 "pounds" :)

Amanda Morrison

22-07-2004, 03:10

Cancun. No, Kauai. No wait - the Bahamas. :)

Koko Ed

22-07-2004, 04:30

I never cared for the championship at Disney. The competition was spread out and disjointed and the kids were too hot and too distracted. It seemed to be about evryhting else but FIRST! And I love Disney and just not a good fit for the championship. I am perfectly happy with Atlanta.

George1902

22-07-2004, 06:33

I think Disney was the perfect venue for the FRC Championships. Atlanta is a decent placeholder in my mind, but I'm anxiously anticipating the day when FIRST returns to WDW.

GeorgeTheEng

22-07-2004, 07:38

How about at international home of FIRST. Dean's house. The Einstein matches could played in his helicopter hanger!

One of largest assembly lines on the planet... Get Boeing's Everett Washington Facility for a few days (where they assemble the 747s, 777s, and 767s). Or the Assembly building as Cape Canaveral.

Or for Media impact, what about using 4 studios at Television City in LA?

Or for nostalgia, how about at Menlo Park in Edison NJ where Edison's laboratory where he invented the lightbulb once stood?

Erin Rapacki

22-07-2004, 08:00

I like Atlanta too... the atmosphere of Atlanta (the restaurants, shops, & museums) invites the opportunity to hang out with FIRSTer people from all over the country. In WDW, it's nearly impossible to hang out with more than four people at a time... because everyone bickers and disagrees about what ride they want to go on, what overpriced restaurant they want to eat at, or they get lost in the crowds.

dddriveman

22-07-2004, 08:42

Atlanta Rocks. It is a perfect sized city, that really comes alive at night. So what that it is a ten hour drive from Dayton, OH it was worth every minute of it. :D

Ali Ahmed

22-07-2004, 09:44

I would like it to bein Las Vegas. For one reason is it would closer to the west coast for a change. Another reason is hotels galore and it could more than fit some 300 teams.

Jessica Boucher

22-07-2004, 09:56

Having not been to Nationals since 2002, I have yet to see the city format. But, I do think that the city that holds it needs the following criteria:

-Temperate climate. With an activity that requires so much outdoor work, it makes much more sense to be in a place that will have little finicky weather.

-Space. We're a decent conference size, and because of that we need to look at cities that are available and can handle our size in conference area as well as hotels. Even better would be to go to a place that has more than enough room to accomodate us so that a bidding war might start.

-Travel Costs. I also feel that it should also be decided by the area where the majority of the teams for them to travel to. We've had selective Championships now for long enough that a rough estimate can be made as to where the majority of teams are coming from to compete (especially the repeat visitors). If the minority of the people are coming from the west, then getting a place that's cheapest for them to travel to is key for strengthening that area.
That said, FIRST also needs to think of itself and how it will shuttle its employees there, since they are the ones handling the event. Doing a quick Orbitz search, it was significantly cheaper to fly to Orlando from Manch-vegas than it was to Houston or Atlanta.

-Support. The city and FIRST need to be excited to be together to make the best Championship they can, and it needs to be an area where ample volunteer support is available (seeing as that has been a problem in the past).

As for a specific city, that's not my call. ;)

jpsaul7usa

22-07-2004, 10:13

If you like Disney but don't like Orlando, how about Anaheim? They have huge convention centers there right next to Disneyland, and the Angel's baseball stadium's not far either. I'd love to have another excuse to go to Disneyland. Hm... I think I'll start planning my next visit right now...

If not there, then Chicago. Soldier Field (where 'da Bears play) is right next door to 3 museums (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium), a beautiful lake and skyline view, and the Hancock Convention Center. I think it would be the perfect location, and that has nothing to do with the fact I was born there. It just is, ya know, perfect. Downtown Chicago is also a whole lot nicer than downtown Atlanta. Navy Pier alone has more places to eat and shop than that crumby Underground Atlanta, and it also has a ferris wheel. Take that Atlanta. Who wouldn't want to have a robotics competition in the best city on Earth?

Nathan Pell

22-07-2004, 14:38

It is interesting to see so many people want it to come back to Central Florida. I can tell you that there is a lot of "buzz" here in Central florida to do just that. They (the powers that be) are working very hard to bring the championship back to Disney and Orlando. From what I am told it is coming from high up as the Governor's office. So who knows, the 2006 championships could be back in Sunny Florida. Besides, it is not that hot here in April. It is some of the best weather we have!

Billfred

22-07-2004, 18:18

tribotec_ca88

22-07-2004, 18:23

I had also thought about las vegas...and i can tell from personal experience that vegas rocks!!! but also being u-21 i can say that it's not fun to watch those thirst-quenching adults play slots ... so it'd pretty much be a haven for mentors but what about the rest of us?? well theres the coasters but that's as fun as it gets...
i don't think the vegas community would appreciate FIRST activity too much...not many people involved in robotics & stuff...nor would we like drunk mentors showing up at the competition.

Marc P.

22-07-2004, 18:43

I'd argue 2 points for location of the Championship-

1) Travel- Plot the density of FIRST teams around the US, and pick a relatively centralized location relative to all the teams, so the majority of teams has the least distance to travel. This could mean midwestish, maybe even Ohio or Pennsylvania, or a bit farther south. I also don't like the idea of proximity to a relatively large tourist attraction, e.g. Disney, Six Flags, etc. Travel rates to more popular destinations tend to be a big higher, and lodging isn't cheap either, especially if we would be displacing otherwise regular customers for the 3 days we're there (most businesses don't like that). I also agree with Erin, it's much more difficult to hang out and meet new people at an amusement park. This past year in Atlanta I met a bunch of new people just hanging out, playing hacky-sack, and just wandering around a big open space full of FIRSTers.

2) Size- Disney is just plain too small for us now. I was at the championship in 2002, and it was a bit cramped. There are only so many teams you can fit into an air conditioned tent, and only so many people you can fit in the risers on each of the 3 (at the time) inside divisional fields, and it was very hot to sit in the crowd if your team was on Einstein. With something like the Georgia Dome, there's plenty of room for the crowd on each field, and plenty of room to grow in the future! If we needed to add 2 more divisions, the fields could be arranged to allow that to happen.

Joe Ross

22-07-2004, 20:52

My perfect place isn't just a city, it's a continent.

Antartica.

Not only do your robots have to play the game, they must transport you
and your team safetly to the competition site. :)

Mike Ciance

22-07-2004, 21:23

Hershey, Pennsylvania

this is a great town, hershey has several venues on their property, and a great park for FIRSTers to go to in their spare time. everybody can ride roller coasters, take the factory tour, and pick up a 1lb Krackel bar in the shop. :D

there are plenty of hotels in the area, so rooms shouldn't be a problem

o, and the weather in april is beautiful and comfortable :D

Joe Matt

22-07-2004, 21:34

Well, I really don't know a goo--- DISNEY WORLD. Ditch Epcot and use the Wide World of Sports. It can fit us, it has AC, it's close to the budget hotels, and it has Disney's parks. I know we won't see Disney for a long time, if ever, but man, I just want to get my whole team on Mission:Space just once....

AND DAVE SAYS THAT'S PIMP!!!
http://orlandorocks.com/..%5C801x533%5Cepcot_mission_space_2_20_2003%20%28 4%29.jpg

Mike Ciance

22-07-2004, 21:38

Hawaii! can we say wrap party on the beach if they were held in hawaii, my team might get confused as locals :rolleyes:

Astronouth7303

22-07-2004, 21:41

2 Words: Plane Tickets = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Franchesca

23-07-2004, 01:38

Ok, I have 3 places:

Idealy :D

New Zealand!!!* - I mean has any body thought about it? New Zealand is the world's capital for X-treme sports and many other activities that would blow your mind!! I have to list them: Abseiling, Canyoning, Skiing, Snowboarding, Fly by Wire, Zorb, Canoeing & Kayaking, Diving, Jet Boating, Rafting, Sailing, Surfing, Windsurfing or for the more conservative mentors Golf or Fishing!!! And I must say it, the most celebrated sport in NZ ... BUNGY JUMPING!! With all of this you will have what has been called the 'quickest personal growth experience ever'! And the people are extrmely nice too (I have many kiwi friends -- great people).
Ok, so it probably would be a little bit distracting ... and wayyy tooo expensive ... but mind ya I did say 'Idealy'

More realistically :)

Canada!!! - I for one would LOVE to have the FRC Championship in Canda! I mean Canada is quite a diverse nation and well, since I've never been there it would be a great time to travel and see new places! I've heard many things ... great things about the Canadian Regional and I saw them at the Championship this year ... I must say: they are quite fun!! Plus I'm sure that there are many many things to do in Canada! But this would be way more expensive for my team as well so it is still 'more' realistically!

**Side note: I wouldn't like to have it in Orlando WDW because since I live just an hour away from it ... well it's just no fun! I can go there any time I want MUHHAAAHAA :] **
Therefore:

MOST Realistic:

Atlanta, GA - Yes, I like it there ... is close enough but at the same time far away enough! And in all truthfulness, I believe that it is the best place to have fun without getting carried away from the priority -- FIRST!! Plus by the end of the day (I don't know about anyone else ... but I have no energy to do anything)!

SO my vote would be Atlanta ... (although I secreatly hope for New Zealand!!!)

*I encourage everyone to take a look at New Zealand -- it is really an amaizing place -- they have everything!! http://www.newzealand.com/travel/en/home/the-official-tnz-site-for-destination-nz.cfm

Elgin Clock

23-07-2004, 01:54

Well, I really don't know a goo--- DISNEY WORLD. Ditch Epcot and use the Wide World of Sports. It can fit us, it has AC, it's close to the budget hotels, and it has Disney's parks.
I was just thinking about the Wide world of Sports complex as a potential host of the event.. but...

For all the speeches I have heard Dean and the fellow FIRST representatives make, I don't think they are too keen on the sports image in general.

The most famous one being "FIRST has all excitement of sports without all the bad.."

Anyways, whether that would effect FIRST's decision to hold the Championship at a "Sports" venue is still debatable. You can argue that since the Championship event is(was) held at the Georgia Dome and the Astro Dome/Reliant Stadium, that it is already held at a "Sports" locale, but there are other events that take place there besides sports events.

At least at Epcot, we were in the middle of the area at Disney where technology was king.

I mean, even the name EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype City Of Tommorrow or something along those lines...

Then, you have to ask yourself why the relation ship was severed with Disney in the first place. One who went to the Championship event in 2002 could already see that the place was crowded, from all the people who had to sit on the ground during closing ceremonies, to just the enormous size of the pits.
(I think that the tents that were used at Epcot were quoted as being able to fit 2 or 3 - 747 jets end to end, and a helicoptor for the length, and wide enough for those imaginary 747's as well.
Which by the way for reference, a picture of those huge tents can be found HERE (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/pictures.php?s=&action=single&picid=2938&direction=DESC&sort=date&perrow=4&trows=3&quiet=Verbose).
And a picture of the whole overall area of the venue can be found HERE (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/pictures.php?s=&action=single&picid=2920&direction=DESC&sort=date&perrow=4&trows=3&quiet=Verbose).
(It was actually held in the parking lot, and not in Epcot itself for all who were wondering)

But.. Disney was also rumored to be making a movie about FIRST since it was held there for a few years, and was supposed to be in production. I think it was starring Noah Wylie from ER fame if my memory serves me right. (That's the story I heard anyways) I never saw the movie, I don't know about any of you.. Maybe that was one of the reasons that FIRST left WDW?
The deal fell through?
I don't know, I'm just guessing on that one.

Anyways.. enough of my ranting. I think is my longest post. That's what I get for being in the zone..... Oh well.. Darn you forums, darn you!!! :rolleyes:

N7UJJ

25-07-2004, 02:26

Aircraft Carrier - Leaves Boston on Thursday, arrives Florida. on Sunday,
Bring spares and allow us access to the shops and talent aboard.

Leslie

25-07-2004, 13:49

all these ideas are pretty corny if you ask me.

Joshua May

25-07-2004, 14:22

New Zealand!!!* - I mean has any body thought about it? New Zealand is the world's capital for X-treme sports and many other activities that would blow your mind!! I have to list them: Abseiling, Canyoning, Skiing, Snowboarding, Fly by Wire, Zorb, Canoeing & Kayaking, Diving, Jet Boating, Rafting, Sailing, Surfing, Windsurfing or for the more conservative mentors Golf or Fishing!!! And I must say it, the most celebrated sport in NZ ... BUNGY JUMPING!! With all of this you will have what has been called the 'quickest personal growth experience ever'! And the people are extrmely nice too (I have many kiwi friends -- great people).
Ok, so it probably would be a little bit distracting ... and wayyy tooo expensive ... but mind ya I did say 'Idealy'

New Zealand woudlb eawesome, I think they have the world's tallest bungee, oooh...

tkwetzel

25-07-2004, 23:59

There are many great ideas here. I personally think it should move around year to year instead of staying at the same place. If it moved around between feasible places, you would be close to most teams at some point or another. It might make a little more work for the FIRST staff and volunteers organizing the event, but it would make it more feasible and interesting for many teams. Not only would it allow the competition to be near most teams, it would also not constantly be where a team is located, which would prevent them from traveling together which is a lot of fun. I know there are several cities with large conference centers that could house the Nationals, such as Atlanta, Houston, Washington D.C., L.A., Chicago, and so on. Let it move around and you will get a lot more exsposure than you do if the competition remains in the same location year after year.

DCA Fan

26-07-2004, 02:05

Florida Keys, the sectionals will be divided one island each, Einstein will be on Key Largo. Just kidding.

Actually, I would really like it to go back to Orlando, and if they aren't using Wide World of Sports for anything, FIRST could easily use that huge complex.

OR Bring the championships here to Los Angeles and hold it in staples center! Our huge convention center is right across the street, so space isn't an issue...going out at night on the other hand.....:P

Tazlikesrobots

26-07-2004, 14:24

I would love to have the championships on the moon (maybe by 2020 this might be true). The benefits:

1. Your robot will only weigh about 13 pounds at the most.

2. You could use pneumatics as propulsion!!!

3. Experience zero G while in route to the moon.

4. Can you say "what a view"

5. See the Apollo 11 landing site

I know....wishful thinking!!! :D

Heretic121

26-07-2004, 15:19

Joe Matt

27-07-2004, 09:53

i have an idea for disney... have field out in the open INSIDE of Epcot having 4 around the nations or something, and einstien(sp?) right near the entrance of the park. It would let tourists there see a lot about FIRST, while Disney still beingable to keep getting revenue =D (only problem i guess would be how to determin non firsters, since its a free spectators event...
Biggest problem is space. Have you been to Epcot? Where could you find the space to put 4 fields IN the park? I can only think of one place for the pits (old Millennium Village) and two fields (American Gardens Theater & Fountain Stage). Also, the walk from world showcase to Innovations Plaza is hard enough to make Houston look like a cakewalk.

Matt Leese

27-07-2004, 11:06

i have an idea for disney... have field out in the open INSIDE of Epcot having 4 around the nations or something, and einstien(sp?) right near the entrance of the park. It would let tourists there see a lot about FIRST, while Disney still beingable to keep getting revenue =D (only problem i guess would be how to determin non firsters, since its a free spectators event...
Originally, the Championship was held inside of Epcot (this was in 1995 and 1996 I believe). It was held in the amphitheater directly across from the American Adventure. There isn't all that much room there and it was moved out into the parking lot for the added space.

Matt

Michael R. Lee

27-07-2004, 11:18

Biggest problem is space. Have you been to Epcot? Where could you find the space to put 4 fields IN the park?

There is a reason why they had it out in the parking lot! It would be nice to go there again. But what about in Washington D.C.? I mean there are a lot of spaces to hold it around there.... though the walking is going to be a lot depending on the layout.

Jaine Perotti

27-07-2004, 13:38

how about canada?? Only problem would be the cold.

Jon K.

27-07-2004, 20:26

There is a reason why they had it out in the parking lot! It would be nice to go there again. But what about in Washington D.C.? I mean there are a lot of spaces to hold it around there.... though the walking is going to be a lot depending on the layout.

Not only would the layout be an issue, but I can see the headlines now, 20+ students arrested for trying to bring weapons(aka screwdrivers etc.) into national landmarks. Because I know people always forget they have left tools in a pocket or something like that, it has happened to teammates of mine before. And with the tight security in D.C. I am not sure they would want 20,000 teens to all converge at once.

dubious elise

27-07-2004, 21:32

There are many great ideas here. I personally think it should move around year to year instead of staying at the same place. ... I know there are several cities with large conference centers that could house the Nationals, such as Atlanta, Houston, Washington D.C., L.A., Chicago, and so on. Let it move around and you will get a lot more exsposure than you do if the competition remains in the same location year after year.

I totally agree. Keep the Regional Competitions in their places and move Nationals *every* year. The best thing we can do to involve more people is move around and get attention!

phrontist

27-07-2004, 21:55

Washington, DC

SEVERAL convention centers and other possible venues. It's the capitol. Not at some uber-commercialized theme park. Not TOO expensive to get to. Close to two of the largest regionals (Richmond and Annapolis). Oh yeah, my team would have ZERO travel cost :-)

Seriously, why isn't there AT LEAST a regional there! It seems obvious...

I SWEAR that if a FIRST event comes to DC, my entire team will walk there, transporting everything on a dolly. Oh, and I'll eat a FIRST hat. While walking. Backwards.

----

Someone mentioned tight security? I live within biking distance of the mall (about 20-30 mins) and security isn't THAT tight. If someone forgot to empty their pockets of tools, they'd probably only get it confiscated. Well, as long as you don't LOOK like a terrorist :rolleyes: (A friend of mine, who is egyptian, always grumbles about constant "security issues")

Michael R. Lee

27-07-2004, 23:49

I really like all these ideas. A nice place would be the moon as FIRST asks for the weight of the robot verus the the mass. Ok all kidding aside now.... if they moved Championships around the country, they would need to serious revise the rules to attend said competition. I'm not saying moving Championship around is bad but let's say a team from Florida qualifies to go that year but can not go cause they lack the money to get to L.A.! It is already sad enough that teams can not attend despite the fact they qualify.

Arefin Bari

28-07-2004, 02:29

Personally i think FIRSTers will make it fun wherever they go in this world for a competition...

I like epcot since it was under the hot florida sun and also the transportation was very easy. Teams didnt have to worry about having thier own bus transportation. also running into the park after the competition was cool. the way the finals were played in Einstein field out in the stage and you see teams cheering from the sitting places. the concert after the event was awesome. i would love to see epcot have FRC back.

Then again, Since i am a floridian... its sometime nice to go out and see other places....

Gary Dillard

29-07-2004, 15:12

How about we have 4 different cruise ships, one for each division. They leave port (Maybe New Orleans, somewhere central) for practice, qualifying and division eliminations, arrive back in port for the closing ceremony and finals at the convention center stadium.

They're already set up for food and rooms, no need for additional transportation day or night. Surely you can fit the pits and the field on the deck. And if we get heavy seas it would give the yaw rate sensors a nice workout.

Jaine Perotti

29-07-2004, 17:04

how about in our high school gym?? The pits could be in the cafeteria....jk :yikes:
I think that wherever the championships are, it should be someplace warm (I'm from new england, and in April new england can be rather chilly). It also should have alot of stuff to do and places to eat...like at Epcott. A friend of mine suggested San Fransisco...it isn't exactly in a central location, but it sounds like a nice place. The temperature rarely is under 50 degrees...it is used to visitors because it is a popular tourist destination. I beleive there are a number of stadiums in the area where the championships could be held. I know that my team would love the chance to go to a place so different from where we live. I hope traveling far away wouldn't be too expensive however.

KarenH

30-07-2004, 02:33

Washington, DC

SEVERAL convention centers and other possible venues. It's the capitol. Not at some uber-commercialized theme park. Not TOO expensive to get to. Close to two of the largest regionals (Richmond and Annapolis). Oh yeah, my team would have ZERO travel cost :-)

Seriously, why isn't there AT LEAST a regional there! It seems obvious...

Great idea!? DC in April, the best time to visit, according to...

...the entire world, it seems! :ahh:

Our family took a little vacation after Atlanta; we were in DC the Wednesday after the Championship, and there were almost no hotel rooms available. We were puzzled, until Chris remembered that back east, they do a thing called the Senior Trip. So, with all the seniors east of the Mississippi visiting DC, no room is left for anyone else in April.

Billfred

30-07-2004, 08:00

Alright, I would edit my prior post, but it seems that I can't.

Turns out that FIRST has an option on having the 2006 Championship in Atlanta. It's not guaranteed (although for FIRST to announce it as they'll be there through 2006 seems to be a good sign--but that's my opinion).

So please refrain from attacking me with all of the rocks and sticks and flamethrowers! (ducks and covers) :D

Kel D

30-07-2004, 17:19

I hear Arizona is nice in April. ;) But seriously, it is pretty nice weather, you could even get a tan if you can find time to at the Championship event. ;)

Bcahn836

02-08-2004, 16:47

I think a good place to hold the championships would be in Baltimore Maryland in the inner harbor. Right next to Ravens stadium, there is plenty to do, places to stay, and a big enough facility to hold the event.

Kyle Love

02-08-2004, 22:23

I think it needs to be in Brazil maybe or go to Japan so we can start more teams there. I think it may be a little too pricey to have all the USA teams to fly there and all of the other expenses but hey it would be one fun time!

-kyle

Corey Balint

02-08-2004, 22:35

I would love for it to be in a foreign country-its just not logical though.
Instead, it should be a place thats safe and just alot of fun, with stuff for kids to do all over. Atlanta was just dull, they had that mall, but meh-nothing special. And past that there were no interesting restaurants or anything. Maybe somewhere like Minneapolis, where theres a giant mall and a theme park all in one place, its also safe, past the random moose maulings and freak snow storms. Or back to disney where theres a giant theme park with all different things that kids could enjoy, as well as tons of interesting restaurants and touristy things.
Although the competition is sooo amazingly fun, the events after should be aswell.

Joe Ross

02-08-2004, 23:01

How about we have 4 different cruise ships, one for each division. They leave port (Maybe New Orleans, somewhere central) for practice, qualifying and division eliminations, arrive back in port for the closing ceremony and finals at the convention center stadium.

Why have the cruise ships all leave from the same place? What if you had 1 leaving from LA, one from New Orleans, One from Miami, and one from Boston. The teams would play, and the ships would meet at New Orleans for the finals. Then FIRST would have chartered planes from New Orleans back to the origin of the ships.

It cuts down on travel costs for people, because you only have to get to 1 of 4 major cities.

Vince lau

02-08-2004, 23:21

Air Canada Centre or Skydome, in Toronto Canada :) :D

MikeDubreuil

03-08-2004, 03:47

Why have the cruise ships all leave from the same place? What if you had 1 leaving from LA, one from New Orleans, One from Miami, and one from Boston. The teams would play, and the ships would meet at New Orleans for the finals. Then FIRST would have chartered planes from New Orleans back to the origin of the ships.

It cuts down on travel costs for people, because you only have to get to 1 of 4 major cities.

This quite frankly, is the best idea I have ever heard. This solves so many logistical problems this solution simply can't be ignored.

1.) Food - 3 meals a day, and cruise food is REALLY good.
2.) Security - safety concerns posed by major cities are a non-issue.
3.) Stage - Most cruise ships come with an auditorium. All FIRST would have to do is bring the field and maybe some lighting.
4.) Hotels - every room is within walking distance.
5.) Transportation - once you're on the ship, you're there. Remember the student who was hit by a car several years ago?
6.) Team party - the whole boat is a party.

Only problems I see are pits: I'm not sure exactly how this could be handled. Perhaps there's room somewhere.

Alan Anderson

03-08-2004, 10:00

[On a cruise ship]...Only problems I see are pits: I'm not sure exactly how this could be handled. Perhaps there's room somewhere.
Unless you want to use a stateroom, the only place that strikes me as remotely reasonable for pits would be the sun deck, or maybe the jogging track on one of the larger ships. I'm thinking the aircraft carrier idea would work better. :)

Wetzel

03-08-2004, 10:14

Any city would LOVE to have 20,000 young adults come and spend a few days. The tax revenue is enormous.
Tourist destinations make for cheaper flights and hotel rooms. Huzzah for capitalistic competition.

Security in DC is not THAT tight for most places, including the Smithsonian. At the Air&Space museum, friends had their Kershaws, but were only turned away because one of them had his Kukrari (almost a machete). No one will get arrested for having a screwdriver.

Whats this Senior Trip you speak of? Most of the school groups that take the tours and such of the museums are far younger, I did mine during elementary and middle school. Far to many places have standardized tests that are far more important then frivolous things like going to the Air and Space Museum. :rolleyes: (I don't like that new rolleyes)

DC is indeed crowded in April, for that is prime weather time. The Cherry Blossoms also tend to bloom around then, and that is the most crowed time of them all.

That said, there is no real good location here to host nationals. There are places to hold a regional, but nothing large enough to host the Championship. Unless you setup like Epcots parking lot, but on the Mall. The exposure there would be HUGE, as would the costs, but the PR would be enormous.

Wetzel

suneel112

04-08-2004, 01:15

About Big Cities... The big city closest to my home (2 hrs drive) is definitely Chicago. Chicago would, in theory, make a perfect place to hold the FIRST event. Nice beaches, theme parks, expensive restaurants, night life, large conference centers, the world's busiest airport (means good, affordable transportation), but only one problem: Weather.

In a year like 1998, Chicago would have been a perfect place to hold a championship competition, but more recently, it has been cold and rainy, not FIRST-like weather. So that leaves the South. Texas is nice (too conservative, though), Atlanta is also pretty good, and Orlando is also a great place to have the competition. California also has good weather, a good atmosphere, resources, and fun places, but air fares from the midwest and east coast are expensive.

When thinking about Foreign places, good places would be Japan, Australia, Brazil, and Italy. Even if a team has enough $$$$ for airfares, you have to ask yourself "Is the water safe to drink" "Are items expensive [Europe]" and "What countries would want 30,000 Americans, or foreigners, to be in their home". I would completely rule out the entire Middle East, unless there are 15 Ohio-class Submarines stationed in the Arabian Sea. The Middle East is NOT a safe place for a FIRST competition unless you threaten to turn their land into glass if someone is hurt. Someday, in the future, I am hoping that the championship event will be in India. Good weather, modernized cities (if you pick the correct one, such as Bangalore and Hyderabad [more to come]), and not to mention cheap airfare on me (wait until I'm a billionaire, though). Alright, its just a dream. Until then, Orlando.

tkwetzel

04-08-2004, 03:12

.... if they moved Championships around the country, they would need to serious revise the rules to attend said competition. I'm not saying moving Championship around is bad but let's say a team from Florida qualifies to go that year but can not go cause they lack the money to get to L.A.! It is already sad enough that teams can not attend despite the fact they qualify.

If a team qualifies one year and is unable to attend, they should be one of the first teams able to go the next year, and that is what this whole tier thing is trying to do. I know that you might win a regional and be unable to go, but it will happen where ever the competition is, so why not move it around to give more people a chance.

That said, there is no real good location here to host nationals. There are places to hold a regional, but nothing large enough to host the Championship. Unless you setup like Epcots parking lot, but on the Mall. The exposure there would be HUGE, as would the costs, but the PR would be enormous.

There are places in DC to hold the competition. Mostly there is the new convention center which is enormous (a little smaller than the GWCC). The MCI center is about a block away, but I don't think teams want to be carting there robot a block down city streets. Though I do agree that DC is very crowded in April.