New Regionals Kansas City?
 

A very reliable team member mentioned a Kansas City regional next year, any other cities that are rumored/fact?

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

I am pretty sure about having one by 2006. 2005 is still kind of unsure. They are having a meeting in May about the regional and I'll post anything I hear. We have the money I just don't know if we are too late to have one next year. That was the impression I got from some of the team mentors who talked to the FIRST official in charge of regionals. But we will see. I know if it does happen it won't be the first weekend because the Big 12 basketball tournament is in town. About where KC would have a regional, probably Hale Arena by Kemper Arena (where the American Royal is), Municipal Auditorium by Bartle Hall (big convention center), or my preferred place Overland Park Convention Center (but I don't think they have the seating, they do have a lot of hotel and places to eat nearby though, and lots of space plus a cybercafe). All three would have a little more room than the St. Charles Family Center. So that is all I know for right now. I'll try to post again after they have the meeting to see if anything new has come of it.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Finger Lakes Regional (Rochester, NY) - FACT

Other reliable rumors,
Las Vegas
Waterloo, ON
Purdue

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Vegas would be ummm... interesting

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Wasn't someone saying something about a San Deigo Regional? Redhead Jokes maybe?

SD would be an awesome place for a regional.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Las Vegas would be sick. Definately enough hotels. It's in the middle of nowhere, I'm sure we'll have enough space to setup an Epcot like venue.

Sin city here we come :D

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

I was under the impression that the SD regional was set in stone for next year. If so we'll have overtaken every other state for # of regionals!

I havent heard Vegas before, and we all know Dean's position on that, so it'll be interesting to see if this is true.

Cory

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

I heard Vegas from a couple of people. Vegas is a big city just like any other, the casinos are just downtown, I'm sure there are some great places to have it away from there.

I also heard San Diego. I don't think 2005. I think they are waiting for more teams in san diego and more teams in California in general. But yes there will be one in San Diego eventually you can count on that.

The West is showing it's stuff, Adding Seattle, Colorado, Arizona and Sacramento since 2002 and now looking to add two more. In 2000 there was only one out here.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Is the South Florida Regional happening this year? I've been waiting for that one for a while now.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

I would bet that any regional that isn't in the planning stages (i.e. committee formed, etc) yet won't be around for 2005. That was at least the impression that we were given last year in Rochester (we had planned on 2005, FIRST at first thought we were looking at 2004).

Matt

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

It's not a rumor. The Waterloo regional will debut during the 2005 season.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Yeah Matt.

That is definitely the impression I am getting right now. Kansas City has the backing but we are just going to be getting into any planning stages in May. It could happen but there is still a lot of work to be done. We'll see.

I don't think I'll have luck starting a team in Manhattan this year without a KC regional or NASA grant. Does anyone know of any good grant programs that would be applicable to starting a FIRST team? From where I am I'm looking at a 7-8 hour trip out-of-state to the nearest regional and I'll be hard-pressed to convince a school or teacher to add a 10-20K program in the middle of State budget problems. Two hours on a yellow bus would be much more reasonable.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

I'm not sure how close your are to Wichita but I'd suggest talking to Boeing. If you can find anyone that works there, they can suggest that your team get money from the Employee Community Fund (or at least that's how it works in Southern California).

Matt

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Probably not close enough. 2 and a half hours. I assuming that is for more local programs and I wouldn't consider manhattan local. I've seen that many large corporations have funds not specified to only areas near them. I think microsoft and toyota are the two I remember off the top of my head. I should look for more. But what grants have other teams got that were not local money. My school's team received a small grant from the foundation that is interested in funding the Kansas City regional and we live at least 45 minutes away. The farther distance away would be better.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

A San Diego Regional would be awesome. I highly doubt that there would be a Vegas Regional. I also heard rumors of a Hawaii regional. That would be cool.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

UNLV has a great campus! Air prices are dirt cheap. Lots of interesting things other than the Casinos to do. I like the idea of Vegas as long as it isn't the same weekend as the Arizona Regional.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Not to mention that UNLV has a great sports areana!!!

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

He meant Manhattan, Kansas. It's a bit farther away than NYC.

Matt

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Yeah matt got here first. I do plan to stay involve with FIRST a least through my high school's team but would like to expand a little more in the Great Plains. And BTW congrats on winning regional chairman's this year. I've heard a lot about the great program you run there and it is definitely a model to other FIRST teams. Thanks for the help. I am just finishing a e-mail or letter (don't know which one would get better response, I do know which one is cheaper) to send to local science and technology teachers to inform and see about any interest. If I get some interest I will probably start working with that teacher and trying to get things started to set-up including looking for funding and making contact with the university. By next year there will be 8 or 9 students who have been on FIRST teams and some have already express some interest if I could spark anything. So hopefully I find an interested teacher and then everything might work. Thanks again for your help and interest.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

woops my bad. best of luck to you. let me know if i can help you out in anyway still. Thanx for the compliments
-wayne

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

rumor- a fourth regional in michigan for 2006...

i would love this...we already have the GLR, the West Michigan and added detroit this year...of course in 06 i would ghave to co eback as a mentor, not student :)

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

San Diego would be cool since I am heading to USC (University of So. Cal) next year.

Oh... it would be fun to explain to the school... *cough* this is not a vacation.... yes I know it is Hawaii.... but we are going there to compete. Yes, I know we are leaving a couple days early. But we are competing. Maybe we will have some days on the beach... But this is an educational experience. *cough*

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

San Diego regional is probably not going to happen in 2005 for probably a couple of reasons. (1) It may be a little too late to plan the actual regional. (2) We want to have our San Diego Scrimmage, as well as our city proclaimed "San Diego Robotics Day" on May 22nd, so we can attract more San Diego teams. Right now, San Diego has... 6 teams, with 2 other teams already committed for next year. We know we have lots of support from the other SoCal teams such as in the LA area, but we would also like to have lots of San Diego area teams for support.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Vegas would be great!!! 476 was working with Oklahoma State University to possibly get a regional in the Stillwater or Oklahoma City area, but FIRST turned us down cause of the Kansas City regional

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Does anyone have an update on the status of a KC Regional for 2004?

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Rachakate,

These were the four new regionals mentioned at our feedback forum.....however I will defer to FIRST to make any official announcements....... :D

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Definitely not for 2004. I think we are looking for 2006 now. And I apoligize greatly for any thoughts that thinking about a KC regional would keep them from considering a OKC regional. I would immensely love having a couple close regional and I think it would be great for this whole area. I think there is a BEST hub in Wichita so if OKC or I would like Stillwater too might be able to convert some of those types over.

As for a timeline on the KC thing. They have a dinner tommorow night with the regional guy for FIRST which several of the mentor are going to. I kind of would enjoy to go but at my level I am a kid in the eyes of the mentors and old in the eyes of the kids. The regional guy also is talking with the Kauffman Foundation (people willing to put the big bucks in to make it happen). So I hope to get a report on what happens there and I'll try to keep everyone informed.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Hey Nelson, it's Zach (for those who do not know, the guy with the pink hair) I'm sorry for not being around at all last season, but my girlfriend moved in with me, and I've been super busy. My parents said they saw you at the pool, so hey back to you. I'll be around for next season for sure if you are there. I feel really bad for kinda turning my back on the FIRST program last year, but i guess life before FIRST. Or at least that's how it went this year (the year before that it was no doubt FIRST before life) it's a shame that the KC regional won't be happening next season, that is truely a shame. And I think the best place to hold it would be the OP convention center (espcially since it is 5 miles from where i live now, no more 14 hour bus rides). I wish i cold be around last season's stuff, since the year before that was a blast. Ha ha, hiding girls in our hotel room, the sauna-pool runs, the pink bath tub, trying to find the hot tub, the bus ride home, my sister :D (not really) french brainding my pink hair, the most exciting victory in FIRST history (or pretty $@#$@#$@#$@# close, if anyone remembers the Lone Star Final-2003, my god) coming out of no where, being top seeded, marching SHOUTING, just because mrs T said so, running the floor on award (I believe we all had one in our hands). And it all ended one faith day in April when the $@#$@#$@#$@# thing tipped over. I blame the hot Candian team for the bad luck (they said it before the match they were bad luck.) But it's all good right, we had a blast, AND I MISSED THE CHAIRMAN'S AWARD? Ah. But anyway, me and you started our FIRST program for what was it, scholorshios? I know i didn't get any. And do you remember when it was going to be just you and me making it? Oh yeah, we would've done just fine. :yikes: But hey, did you ever have that prom thing? I ran into Shirk in Paola one day, she mentioned it, no one ever rang me about it. Either way, give me some times you are going to be at the pool. I'd like to see ya. better yet, tell me when a team meeting is, I'd like to see the team.

Re: New Regionals Kansas City?
 

Oh, and if you just want to e-mail me with any info, send it to outbreakorn@outbreakorn.com