Possible new Regional for 2005
 

Heard today:
possible new regional event for 2005
in Rochester, NY!!
:cool:

A Brazilian regional would be a strong bet for 2005.
*crosses fingers*
:D

COOL!

(what is the air fare for 25 people going down to Brazil????):D

Probably under $ 600 a ticket (a large group should get a really good discount), and the living cost is extremely low if you pay in dollars. For those missing Nationals in Florida, it's even hotter in here by March. And we're very nice people. ;)
Be our guests! :D

Well, the best way to spur interest is a local event. Just look at Canada. Before the Canadian Regional, I believe there were two teams from Canada. Now, there are over 50. I'm sure with a Brazilian Regional, you could accomplish much the same thing. Plus, there might be a few US teams willing to go down and help get the first year going ;)

Judging by the popularity of the IRI... maybe an Indianapolis Regional could be coming sometime in the future :)

I think we've been hinting at it for awhile now so it shouldn't be a total surprise. Nothing has been formalized for the Regional but we're definitely moving in that direction. I think we've overcome the largest hurdle which was getting preliminary approval from FIRST. We'll probably know more in a few months.

Matt

Well, FIRST has always had tight lips along the lines of Apple Computer and Walt Disney Company. They don't say anything. But isn't there already a NY regiona?

That would be cool,
but ask yourself if we need another Mid-west regional.
Aren't you guys within driving distance of one or two?

there are two NY regionals, in NY city and one in long island

which are about 400+ miles from Rochester NY.

Having a local regional allows teams to form with a very low budget. MOST of the expense of having team is for travel and lodging to regionals, not for the entrance fee itself.

Rochester is three hours from the closest regional (Toronto). Given that that regional takes place in Canada it is very difficult for some teams to travel there (some school districts ban travel to other countries). The next closest regional is four hours away in Cleveland. After that, there are several regionals that are six hours away. Basically, there's nothing particularly close to us.

One of the main reasons to holding a regional in Rochester is to grow the number of teams in the area. There are six teams in the immediate vicinity of Rochester which is a significant amount for a city the size of Rochester that is no where near a competition. However, there are less teams in the surrounding area. It's definitely possible for their to be more teams in the area and having a regional here increases that ability. Persuant to that, FIRST named Rochester an area of growth for 2005.

Matt

id like an off season tourny here in houston texas!!!!!!!!!!!!
why not?

Yeah, that's true, but if they ever run out of places to put one... :D

Yes, but if im not mistaken Michigan had 84 teams last year....and with the new teams this year, we're gonna need another midwest regional :p

like i said a new texas event!!!!!!!!!!! every one likes texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pphhff, jon, i dont really think GCCISD is going to give us anymore money, even if there was another tx regional. now after we win this year that will probally change, but for now we are stuck with what we've got

I just asked some people today and yes the momentum is building in Brazil for a future south American FIRST Regional. When? It depends on the number of teams.

Even now Mexico schools are planning to send teams to the Arizona Regional when they are ready.
:)

Now in Brazil there are 3 teams that I know of: 383, 1156 and J&J. Any other one?
Can you name your source?

It would be great to have some American teams here...

Committee Director of JnJ Regional and NYC Regional.
:)

not to drop any hints or anything but there may be a regional soon in WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS at the BIG E


sources not to be confirmed do not take this as a truth just a mayhap

There´ll be another team from Brazil this year, sponsored by J&J, from São Paulo. You can visit their website here www.etep.edu.br/robotica. Portuguese only, I guess they are building their english version home page...

A regional event in South America would cut costs almost by HALF, and yes, it´s about to happen soon, expected for 2005.

I´m updated about the plans to have a regional here, in South America. Further details I´ll let you know, fell free to ask.

. They should have a regional here in the quad cities it is very low cost and alot of people havent even been here before! :yikes:

Rochester Regional 2005 and Beyond
 

As of yesterday this rumor is now fact ( I was there!). Dean came to RIT and anounced with the Rochester FIRST Alliance (Bausch & Lomb/ RIT/ and XEROX) that we're going to have the regional here in Rochester, NY in 2005 in the new RIT (8500 seat & size of 3 full soccer fields - still being built) during the RIT anniversary and 150 year anniversry of Bausch and Lomb. Also it will be the new place for the next Presidential Debate. The details are in the works and alot of HARDWORK is just getting started.

I'm going to post a poll to see how many teams would be willing to come to Rochester!

Ellery

Team Leader #191 - Xerox/Wilson X-CATS Est.1992
Team Adviser #1126 - Xerox/Webster SparX Est.2003
(Rochester Regional Planning Committee Volunteer - Most likely...)

Im really psyched up about this. Not only will this allow our team to goto a regional right here in our home town

in the past we have been traveling to two regionals, its been too expesive for us to fly the team to the championship

but Ive been crunching the numbers, if we goto the local regional in 2005, we should have enough funds to goto the championship for the 1st time since 1999.

ALSO there are going to be so many new teams springing up here in upstate NY because of this - it will be possible to start a team with not much more that $6k in cash. Im looking at the goal of every HS in monroe county having a FIRST team, and the surrounding counties and townships as well.

FIRST is really going to come alive in upstate NY because of this new Rochester Regional - cant wait!

A little bit of a correction. RIT is only hoping to hosting a Presidential Debate in the fall of 2004. It hasn't been picked as a venue yet. Also, 2003-2004 is the 150th Anniversary of Bausch & Lomb while 2004-2005 is the 175th Anniversary of RIT.

Other than that, I see a lot of potential for FIRST in Rochester. I think $6000 is a bit low of a number but $10000 is entirely possible. It seems entirely possible for every team in Monroe County to have a team and we'd definitely like to move in that direction.

I definitely agree with the hard work statement. I have too many meetings either scheduled or that need to be scheduled already.

Matt

I certainly hope so!

There are rumors of new teams starting in the Albany area as well. The future looks bright for Upstate NY FIRST.

Hurrray!
 

Hurrray for RIT and Rochester there new regional for 2005!
It's going to be great to see upstate NY.

:)

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

:) Good news! I've been receiving information that this whole "Brazilian Regional" thing has definetely gone under way...our team's been told by our J&J mentors that the whole process is being overlooked and that the chances are extremely high...
During the second week of August there's gonna be the conference. Let's just say the burden's on our team's backs...so basically from what i hear is that this conference is the IT factor. I'm not at all nervous because we've got nearly everyone on our side, and besides...who wouldn't want a FIRST event near their area??

Wish us good luck......!!!!! :yikes:

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

I think they need another regional in MD. We have more teams each year, and Annapolis is already getting crowded, from what I know. So yeah..ANOTHER ONE IN MD!
And to the Brazilian teams about your regional: Good luck! I really hope it comes through...Team 007 really had fun communicating with your team, and I hope this works out well for you! Even if it doesn't, come back for the Annapolis regional! or the NJ Regional! Either way, best of luck to you all!
--d0ri

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

Rich,

After Nationals last year, a group of us were talking about the Arizona Regional. Steve S. said there is more than enough room in the current facility for two fields with the "pits" moved across the hall to a large conference area. Arizona welcomes everyone to the "Fun in the Sun!"

Ken

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

when will FIRST post the official list of 2005 regionals?

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

As soon as they possibly can.
Remember: there are a LOT of details to finalize before a schedule can be released.

Hopefully, we'll see them sometime soon.

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

Great!
Sounds like a perfect place for a mega-regional (2 or more fields) or a West Coast Championship.
:)

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

Unless the registration dramatically increases at the Arizona Regional, I think two fields would be bad. The Arizona Regional is usually pretty early in the season and it's most of the teams first competition. That means that teams are still trying to get things working and there are a lot of breaks. I remember last year we were scrambling to do simple fixes in between matches because there were so few teams which means a lot of matches. Imgagine what it would be like if we had double the number of matches.

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

I doubt there will be a new one in MD anytime soon, but a DC one doesnt seem that far off, maybe in 3 or 4 years, possibly shorter.
I dont see brazil happening in 05, but who knows. As for another international regional in 05(a bit farther away than brazil, like across the atlantic...), Im pretty sure its gonna happen. And its probably not your first guess.

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

rather then another regional in maryland i see it more likely that the regional move from annapolis to the baltimore convention center or UMCP that way they could accomidate more teams with less of an increase in opperating expences then another regional

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

The convention center lacks the seating for it, and stadium for it. Ive been there on a few occasions, and while its good for conventions, its not good for competition such as this, where a stadium-type seating is needed.

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

In response to Greg: That would be so much more convenient. Then again, unsure of space. And I agree with Lil' Lavery, there aren't really any stands to sit in. Either they find some to borrow from another place, or we have chairs. *shrug* Then again, UMCP would be good too...*shrug* y'all can talk to Mike Wade about that.
--d0ri

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

I don't think the Convention Center has space set up in the correct size for a FIRST Competition (no single enormous room like a gym). It has, however, been a few years since I was there (oddly enough, showing off a FIRST robot). UMCP has been very much less than interested in having any involvement with FIRST. Possibly the Baltimore Arena is a better location but I doubt that would happen.

Matt

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

Not another regional in MD, a super regional in MD. Annapolis will have two fields next year.

A Northern Virginia/DC regional is approaching as the team density here goes up.


Wetzel

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

It's official..The 2005 Finger Lakes Regional Competition, March 3-5 on the Campus of Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY http://www.firstrochester.org Don't forget to join our forum when you visit our site :cool:

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

well earlier i mentioned BRAZIL would possibly consider hosting a 2005 Regional...after several weeks of meetings, research, etc etc etc we've come to conclude this is very unlikely. it's not official, but i wouldn't bet on it.
Makes sense, really: we only have 3 teams, 2 of them still a bit inexperienced. .. and i imagine it would be difficult to bring north american teams down here. Sponsors, volunteers, referees & co. are scarce...
If we could perhaps get 15 or more rookie teams started from our area it would help...but that's one tough task to complete within a few months hehehe...

but hey...2006 looks bright...and I guarantee we'll have ours by 2008.

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

I agree with the Zelda's Mafia guys. I think there should be another Texas regional, maybe in Dallas. Our team's closest regional last year was the lone star regional and that was still a 12 hour drive from north central oklahoma where we live. Lodging and travel is a big expense for us.

Re: Possible new Regional for 2005
 

Don't worry the FingerLakes Regional here in Rochester was formed in less than the 2 year timeperiod it normally needs and so far we have formed another 8-12 rookie teams in this time period and acquired necessary sponsors for the Regional.

It really dependson the local business and FIRST participants to drive it. It will definitely be more realistic for 2006 ince you have the proper time to prepare.

Good Luck!

Ellery