Spectator Seating
 

I believe the rules of FIRST prohibit saving sections of seats at regionals for teams but every team does it. I fully understand this as I enjoy having the team able to sit together. The problem is that is very hard for spectators to find a place to sit. I am constantly trying to get people to come and watch because I think they will enjoy it but I know that if I were not associated with a team I would be uncomfortable trying to sit.

I truly think a section should be set aside for visitors. Until then I wish people in the stands would welcome spectators into their sections.

Re: Spectator Seating
 

While I understand your point, the whole point of FIRST is to bring all of the non-FIRST people together with us FIRSTers. If we separate them from everyone else, it'll be like "Here's where the FIRST people go, and here's where everyone else goes". That's not supposed to sound bad, in case it does. Don't separate the new people. Embrace them. Show them the wonders of FIRST. For all of us who joined robotics in High School, how did you feel, the first time being involved in a FIRST group?

Our goal is to make the spectators feel like that. That rush you get is just what we need everyone who visits a FIRST competition to get, and that's not going to be accomplished by separating them from the people the most excited about it.

Re: Spectator Seating
 

Maybe what I would really like to see is the public welcomed into "Team" areas. People new to FIRST have lots of questions and I enjoy answering them. I guess I was bothered by hearing the phrase "You can't sit here,it is for team members only." Is this a common phrase or do most teams welcome people they don't know into their areas? I think that would be the GP thing to do.

Re: Spectator Seating
 

This. This this this 1000 times. This is the correct way of doing things. You see a man and his son wandering aimlessly around the pits? Go over and talk to them. Talk about the robots, the competition. Bring them over to your pit, give them a button.

Get anyone you can lay your eyes on involved in FIRST. We have a saying on Team 256, and that's "Nobody likes robotics until they make their first cut". Don't tell them about it, show them. Since it's competition, it may be hard to get them involved in the building of the robot, but be sure to show them everything you can.

For those who are thinking about inviting sponsors to your competition, and anyone else of importance, this is what you need to do. A little business tip from me to you. ;)

Re: Spectator Seating
 

Same thing if you see someone standing at the top* of the arena stairway looking down for a seat. Get up, go to them and ask them if they need a place to sit. Bring them into your "area" and get them a seat - you know there are always "empty" seats storing junk instead of people.

I did this last year at St Louis, turns out the guy was looking to become a major sponsor of FIRST (like 6 figures major). We had a great talk, and he really enjoyed his time with 1676. I (graciously) advised him to first sponsor teams in his part of the country (Kansas), not NJ. Last I heard they did in fact do that.

*Or wherever someone might stand looking for a seat.

Re: Spectator Seating
 

At the L.A. regional last year it seemed that the smaller bleachers on "the floor" where totally open. The teams that tried to get a section for themselves were mainly in the upper level.