Chief Delphi

Chief Delphi (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/index.php)
-   Championship Event (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12)
-   -   POLL: How do you feel about Nationals being in Atlanta?? (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21195)

Yan Wang 03-07-2003 23:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Jnadke
1. There are only around 600 active teams in FIRST. That's the approximate number from last year. Some teams will drop out, some will come in. Next year the number will be about 700 if we're lucky.

2. Such a system is already in place. Instead of 5 championships, there are 15 regionals. From each regional, the champion alliance gets to go (about 3 teams). Then there's the 5 technical award teams. Lastly, there's the regional Chairman's award winner.

You have to remember, not every team can afford to go to 3 events. Travel, food, and hotel costs a lot of money, in case you didn't know. Many teams just opt for 1 regional and nationals.

If you read the post before mine on the other page (if you have the forum using default # of posts per page), you'd notice I said 'If' to answer a hypothetical question about how the championship would be formatted if an incredibly high number of people wanted and could attend.

BingoTheClowno 05-07-2003 03:36

bah. I'm just happy that it's close to me so I can see all of my friends in spam. I moved out of state, so I wont be able to see them unless I visit atlanta for nats...

IMDWalrus 05-07-2003 09:09

Quote:

Originally posted by pauluffel
As to letting the little kiddies out on the streets alone, last year I walked a few miles through downtown Atlanta from the MARTA station to Georgia Tech to go to robotics meetings and never once even saw so much as a single crime (and our police ride around on segways:D).
Hmm...a city where Segways are used prominently. Wonder if this factored into Dean's decision at all.:)

Lee 05-07-2003 09:25

I like Atlanta as the site for the nats. It is only a 2 hour drive for Team 343. Yea Atlanta!

Vincent Chan 05-07-2003 10:29

Re: big concerns about atlanta
 
Quote:

Originally posted by DKolberg
I have major concerns about Atlanta, what to do in the downtime and the issue of security to let kids roam. It also hurts our recruiting efforts for a new team at an additional school. A 3 year commitment seems a mistake.

Spent lots of time in Atlanta and know the site well.

Paul and I wandered around the downtown area for two or three hours a few weeks back. Nothing happenned to us. In all my years of living in metro-Atlanta, I have not witnessed a crime happen downtown.

Not to push any buttons or step on any toes, but I don't think you know the city well if you feel that you need to worry about your kids. Especially if they're in groups and not just wandering through random alleys alone.

Bombings aren't a regular occurrence. It's just something that sticks in your head. DC has had a bombing more recently, yet I'm sure that the mother wouldn't've cited that as a bad reason to go to DC.

Katie Reynolds 05-07-2003 11:11

Quote:

Originally posted by miketwalker
The 3 year thing, yea... I wonder if they'll have to rethink that. As for location... I think that FIRST will be able to do more than they have at Epcot, just because of the planning time they have and now they don't need to pay for all of the big tents at Epcot, since we have the indoor venue. I also believe if FIRST plays its cards right, since they're right near CNN, we can get alot more promotion then we have in previous years, because CNN won't have to pay to travel, and if they actually see it, they might help us in the future. Just my thoughts.
I think it's great that FIRST has planned for three years. That means, for a few years, teams won't have to stress and worry about where the Championship is going to be held. I was thinking about the CNN thing as well ... Being on CNN would alert more cities/people about FIRST, maybe start some new teams, and get some good publicity for teams already involved. If Atlanta makes a decent amount of money over the next three years because of FIRST, there will be a lot of cities bidding for the 2007 Championship!! Who knows, maybe in a few years cities will be paying FIRST enough money to hold the Championship for free for the teams attending. ;)

- Katie

wheeler 05-07-2003 20:38

I am excited
 
As a coach for one of the metro Atlanta teams I am excited to bring the Championships to our city. I worked with the city to put together the bid and I think everyone will be excited about the venues and the hotels that we have lined up for the teams. As the Olympic City we are planning to bring the Championships as the Olympics of Robotics. I can not wait to have everyone involved with FIRST here. See you in April

abby267 08-07-2003 10:24

nationals
 
I think that by moving the venue around, it gives teams a better opportunity to attend. While funding is always a major consideration at the beginning of each season, the movement gives teams in different areas a more fair advantage to have the opportunity to attend nationals.
Plus, being from Florida, it's exciting to travel out of the state, rather than just driving 3 hours to the National competition.

Gadget470 08-07-2003 18:23

Re: big concerns about atlanta
 
Quote:

Originally posted by DKolberg
Disney was also a nice thank you to the spouse and kids we coaches/mentors neglect for the season - a convention center is no treat for them. Disney gave us a whole lots of advantages in addition to a place to have the competition.

A Mom I told about this venue responded in horror and said you mean where they had the bombing - what kind of security are they going to have? Very helpful in recruiting. SHe strongly suggested we just stay at regionals for a year and see if Atlanta pans out. This is going to be a hard sell and whether it works out or not we have it for the next 3 years.

I'd like to rant a bit about these two points you made.

1) Spouse/Kids:
- In my two years at Disney with 247 (and knowing about their rookie year).. No spouses or non-team kids went with the team, even though they were "neglected."
- Other teams I've spoken to don't take "guests" along either, most can't afford it.

Conclusion: Take a trip to Disney with the Husband/Wife and Kids. FIRST for FIRST, Nationals should be a celebration for the team members who worked so hard.

2) Mom scared of the bomb.
- Does this mean she'd rule out New York City? Washington D.C.? Oklahoma City? Orlando's not all that safe either, worse than national average on all accounts but murder.

No where is 100% safe. A kid on 247 nearly died at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, should we get rid of the Cleveland Regional too?

Sorry man, but I don't think that Mom is too well educated on the matter.


Go Atlanta! woo.

Conce 08-07-2003 18:23

HELP!
Year 2003 might be my last year if I can't get students involved in USFIRST after 5 years participating.
But without knowing if the Atlanta location would attract the attention of high school students, WHY DID USFIRST CONTRACT FOR 3 YEARS?
What are the available after hour activities nearby the national competition site for high school students during that time?
I looked at the location and found info about the areas proudly advertised which match the time of the competition.
1 -> An exhibition center with a "Home Improvement Display" during that time. No High School student interest here!
2 -> An open park with an average temperature "too chilly for many outdoor activities", with an average of 62°F daytime.

I looked at these sites for some after hour activities:
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/overgeorgia/parkinfo/
http://www.webguide.com/attractions.html
http://www.atlanta.net/visitors/seed...de=ATTRACTIONS
Found out that the few attractions which interested students were closed during that time.

On another note=>
USFIRST also noticed a reduction of teams participating in the 2003 Nationals due to the timing of the announced location.
This past year the Houston Nationals proved that USFIRST could move this activity around the USA.
For the first time in 5 years I saw a display that announced the USFIRST National Competition event for many people to see. Thanks Houston!
Houston and it's people did not fail the USFIRST organization failed.

USFIRST knew Houston was a location for failure, because USFIRST did no planning, just contracted out the meager accommodations and food venues!
Many many things could have been done better and USFIRST knew it!
It was a little far to walk, but USFIRST could have provided info of the layout for us to prepare a solution to that problem! NONE and USFIRST knew it!
What avenue could follow upon the WDW site amenities in short notice? NONE and USFIRST knew it!
Nationals at Houston failed due to USFIRST's poor planning and lack of interest to return. THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION!

Another note=>
Having WDW as the National Competition site for many years with all it's amenities one gets pampered, there is no comparable site on the east coast.
Why not try a west coast National Competition site for two years straight getting even more students involved from that side of the USA?

Another note=>
USFIRST also noticed many teams wishing to return to WDW even if it cost a little more, once again USFIRST ignored the team's comments. Why?
One always works harder if one can have fun later, and that's what the WDW site provided.

One more note=>
Why do we not get feedback on the team forum information which USFIRST collects? If it is available, why is it hard to find in the USFIRST site?

Conce
Miami, Fl

Madison 08-07-2003 18:39

Re: Re: big concerns about atlanta
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Gadget470
I'd like to rant a bit about these two points you made.

1) Spouse/Kids:
- In my two years at Disney with 247 (and knowing about their rookie year).. No spouses or non-team kids went with the team, even though they were "neglected."
- Other teams I've spoken to don't take "guests" along either, most can't afford it.

Conclusion: Take a trip to Disney with the Husband/Wife and Kids. FIRST for FIRST, Nationals should be a celebration for the team members who worked so hard.



You're in no position to tell them when and where they should bring their family.

In 5 years, I've never been with a team that did not take family and children of teachers and team members along.

They each paid their own way, but then, I've never been fortunate enough to be with a team that can cover the students' travel costs.

The Championship should be a celebration for the team members who worked so hard? How about the teachers and engineers who neglect their families so that you can have the opportunity to compete? How about their families that have gone 6 weeks or more with measurably less contact with a loved one?

I think they deserve the even just as much as you do. They're not selfish and work their behind off so you can be there -- show the same courtesy.

Quote:


2) Mom scared of the bomb.
- Does this mean she'd rule out New York City? Washington D.C.? Oklahoma City? Orlando's not all that safe either, worse than national average on all accounts but murder.

No where is 100% safe. A kid on 247 nearly died at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, should we get rid of the Cleveland Regional too?

Sorry man, but I don't think that Mom is too well educated on the matter.
Go Atlanta! woo.

Walt Disney World is, for all purposes, a gated city. The parks are gated communities that are very effective in deterring people from starting or getting into trouble or injuring themselves. It's possible to mess up there, but it's a lot harder than, say, Atlanta.

In Houston, I did not feel safe, and I'd like to consider myself among those "intelligent" people that you speak of. I was unaware of the good neighborhoods or the bad neighborhoods in the city and was very, very apprehensive about going anywhere alone.

In Atlanta, the same is true. "Downtown" might be safe, but I really don't where "Downtown" ends and a bad neighborhood begins. I might notice, I might not. It might be too late, but it certainly won't be because I'm stupid.

Teachers are responsible for the welfare and safety of their students, so whereever there isn't the same style of gated community that exists in Walt Disney World, with limited options for entry, exit and transportation, the teachers will worry more, perceive a greater risk, and thus, limit the experience.

Before you run off and try to pick apart their concerns, I think you'd be wise to wait a bit until you're responsible for the safety of a group of kids. Maybe then you'll understand the benefits of a contained environment and the concerns we harbor about moving to a new city.

Adam Y. 08-07-2003 19:07

Quote:

2) Mom scared of the bomb.Does this mean she'd rule out New York City? Washington D.C.? Oklahoma City? Orlando's not all that safe either, worse than national average on all accounts but murder.
Actually Huston is a pretty bad place to go now that I learned a little about it. It is a leader for most industries including shipping, chemical plants, and oil. Not really a good place to be.
Quote:

Sorry man, but I don't think that Mom is too well educated on the matter.
And yet a male is saying that............ Have a baby first and then see how concerned you would get. I just babysat my niece and me and my brother both got very paranoid about it.
Quote:

Before you run off and try to pick apart their concerns, I think you'd be wise to wait a bit until you're responsible for the safety of a group of kids. Maybe then you'll understand the benefits of a contained environment and the concerns we harbor about moving to a new city.
Personally I would just not let any kids go that you know would cause trouble. It usually is pretty obvious who is going to be trouble and who is not. At least in my robotics club it is. This is just my opinion. Then again I believe my club did the same thing also this year. The people who did the most work went all three days, second most two days, and the least only one.
Quote:

USFIRST also noticed a reduction of teams participating in the 2003 Nationals due to the timing of the announced location.
Nope I believe it was the fact that the Championship coincided with the war on Iraq.
Quote:

Year 2003 might be my last year if I can't get students involved in USFIRST after 5 years participating.
But without knowing if the Atlanta location would attract the attention of high school students, WHY DID USFIRST CONTRACT FOR 3 YEARS?
Well the competition should attract the students not the nationals trip. If you do that you may be attracting the wrong students.
Quote:

The Championship should be a celebration for the team members who worked so hard? How about the teachers and engineers who neglect their families so that you can have the opportunity to compete? How about their families that have gone 6 weeks or more with measurably less contact with a loved one?
Rightly said. I must drive my parents crazy during those six weeks. Then again I drive them crazy other days also.

Andy Baker 09-07-2003 02:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Conce
Nationals at Houston failed due to USFIRST's poor planning and lack of interest to return. THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION!

Conce
Miami, Fl

Wow... I missed the memo on that one. FIRST failed in Houston? Hmmm, I think not. Sure, there were some details that could've been improved. But the Championships were anything but a failure. I would rate them as a success.

I thought it was pretty darn swell that we were able to play in probably the world's best athletic stadium for 3 days. Some people like riding on Space Mountain, I liked playing in Reliant Stadium... call me silly.

Everyone is different, and that is a good thing.

Also, it's FIRST, not USFIRST. It has been called FIRST for the past 6 years and it has not been called USFIRST since 1997. Many teams make this mistake.

Andy B.

pauluffel 09-07-2003 03:30

There have been alot of emotions from all over the spectrum presented on the decision of having the Championship Event in Atlanta, but by working together and planning, I'm sure we can make this awesome for even the most pessimistic. I'm in charge of a metro Atlanta team that will most likely not by competing in the Championships next year, but we will most definately be attending the event. I would be happy just chilling outside my hotel room and talking with other FIRSTlings as an activity after the competition ends each day, but there are probably some of you who would rather do other more exciting things. With the help of any ideas you have, those of us who live in and near Atlanta can prepare for the Championships by collecting and sharing knowledge and planning, whether it be something like organizing teams and planning out an Ultimate Frisbee tournament during lunch or after closing ceremonies one day in Centennial Park, measuring the distance and grade of the terrain between the GWCC and the field inside the Dome, or scouting out good restaurants for a stressful lunch or a celebratory dinner, we'll be happy to help.
I encourage you to start a thread about any idea you have for activities so everyone can contribute their thoughts on it and I'l try to organize several more of the locals to help with this.

Together we can make this fun for all! :D

KathieK 09-07-2003 12:35

New thread
 
I just started a new thread:

Atlanta - activities/ammenities I'd like to see


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 22:39.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi