So I have mixed feelings about the news.

I wish that FIRST would have a Championship event that wasn't on a coast. It would make it a lot easier on a lot of teams, and I feel bad for those teams in states like Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, etc., who again have to head to the southeast coast to attend. I still have my vote for somewhere in Missouri, Kentucky, and Kansas, where it is central and teams from neither coast have an advantage.

However, I'm sure that Atlanta will be an EXCELLENT adventure as we adapt to the Georgia Dome. Hopefully this will spark a lot more interest in FIRST as the years wear on. Although I must say, it takes a lot of the fun out knowing where the 2006 championships are going to take place. Can you imagine that? 2006? That will be my last year as any kind of 'student' in the FIRST competition, and I can't believe that FIRST has come that far. I'm sure Atlanta will serve as an excellent place for the event - and for those skeptics - we've got three years to perfect it. And then... who knows?

me too...
 

I have to say that I have mixed feelings too. It'll be really close for my team, but part of the fun of competitions is the looooong bus rides and hotels and stuff. Since we went to the Peachtree Regional (near Atlanta) this past year and drove back and forth to it everyday, we'll probably do the same thing for the nationals to save money. I'll miss the really long bus rides and all the fun we have at hotels. :( Oh well...like most of ya'll have already said...as long as there aren't any ramps...I'll be happy! :)

~Jessica~

There are a few of us veteran FIRST people helping with the Atlanta event and we plan to make it a great one. I wish I could give more details but I'll let FIRST come out with the info when they are ready. The walk is short- going through the loading docks- and the Dome and Convention centers are really nice. Please keep posting your concerns and questions so that we can address them during our planning. This will be a great year :).

Abd don't forget kiddies, take M.A.R.T.A. it's smarta. :D

"Take MARTA to see the cows" Hmm.... maybe Atlanta wasn't such a great idea :yikes:

Congratulation Atlanta! - Great Job FIRST
 

Congratulations to Atlanta,

You must of had an awesome presentation to come out on top of two previous hosts (Orlando, Houston).

I think Atlanta will be great logistically - Major hub for airlines, infrastructure to handle masses of people, Indoor Arena and Pits, loads of stuff to do and see besides the competition.

Now if FIRST can get Coca-Cola to be the "Official Drink" of FIRST Robotics :p

Thanks to the FIRST staff for getting this information out so soon!

uh oh...

Same weekend: From the GWCC website calendar!

Apr 15, 04 - Apr 18, 04 SEMCO/Atlanta Home Show GWCC

edit: Looks like building C is taken by this event! PROOF

hehehehe!!

We are dragging our advisor down there!! He is in his Xth year of rebuilding his house!! lol

Umm.. I think not, considering that Pepsi's Aquafina is already sponsoring an event on the grounds of the venue...
Might be an issue!!

Now if the event can be sponsored by Dew!! :D :D :D :D

Pepsi actually is sponsoring something in Atlanta?? That amazes me, considering Coke practically owns this town. You never see Pepsi stuff ANYWHERE.

~Tom~

SWEET!!! I Live in Atlanta!

Plenty of Room
 

Looks like the Pits are in BUILDING "B" thanks to the picture posted by Skyman9000 earlier in the thread. So the Home Show will just bring more people to see "Our" competition.

P.S. - Real Men and Women Drink "Coke";)

Bring it on...
 

While I was unable to make it to TX this year, I am planning on attending the Grand Championships in 2004.

I am looking forward to Atlanta.

This is a step in the right direction for FIRST. While it was a risk going with a sight for 3 years, I think it gave them the negotiating power to swing the best deal possible.

I am psyched.

Joe J.

Exact same thing I was thinking...you just beat me to it.:)

Atlanta could be cool. Next year will be my junior year, and I didn't participate freshman year because I wasn't able to. I'm a little bummed that FIRST won't be returning to Florida - I've heard such good things about those competitions. Still, I think we could have a lot of fun in Atlanta. And I know it's been said, but I'm glad we don't have to deal with those ramps again.:D FIRST in Atlanta...let's hope this is the beginning of something great.

And how much does a drink of "Co' Cola" cost in the Georgia Dome in downtown CokeTown ? :D

Atlanta is a great city to hold this. With MARTA nearby, transportation shouldn't be a big problem. CNN is right down the street, as is the AJC. Coke, Centennial Olympic Park, Underground Atlanta, Phillips Arena, Georgia Tech (where you can visit our good friends and mentors Anne and Jeremy from the RoboJackets-- shameless plug :]), and Turner Field, among other places, are just around the corner.

Of course, I'm biased because I live here. I am ECSTATIC to hear that you all will be here for THREE years. This means I will get to meet all you CD people.

And I haven't yet gotten to see the Cows. I'm actually looking forward to that. Stop making fun of me! Stop it now! :]

I hope you all will have as good a time coming to my hometown as I will seeing you all here. FIRST spends three years in the ATL! W00t!

*bouncy* :D :D

I, for one, am intensely stoked. I really like Atlanta... and the fact that I'll be in Gainesville for the next 3 yrs, whether I'm on a team or not, will be terribly convenient. For now, I can definately see myself at the next 3 championships... but only the future can tell exactly...

::does a happy dance::