Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

from what i hear, the championships in epcot was amazing, id love to have it back there

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

[

Unfortunatly those cities probably out price themselves. I mean for those teams that have buses drive them everywhere, the gas prices just outside NYC on Sunday were $2.37 a gallon, and I could only imagine how much money it would cost to get a hotel room or for FIRST to pay for a building, and I'm sure LA and the west coast out price themselves too.[/quote]


$2.37 a gallon? In our little town of Arab, Alabama we are paying $2.93 a gallon :( !!! Although I love the Atlanta venue (plus it's close enough to take a school bus-Save money!) I know my students would love to see another area of the country. I think Salt Lake would be great. It would definitely take a lot more money but I would be willing to raise it so my kids could see there really is a world out there!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

There is a Technical Professional Conference I attend twice yearly. What this conference does is hold one event on the east coast and the one on the west coast. What was done prior to that was a single annual event the moved all over the country each year. East, West, and Central regions.

Obviously FIRST can't hold the Championship Event twice, but they could consider holding the event in different places each a year. This would make it such that teams one year wouldn't have to travel far, but would the next. It would balance out the costs, would allow for different teams to be able to attend over time.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

arabsponsor said: Be advised that price was posted in April of 2005 as this thread goes back to the 2005 Championship's. Manhattan gas prices today begin at $3.11 per gallon while downtown Atlanta gas prices are $2.99 today. Suburban Atlanta prices are $2.73-2.80.

Dave

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

MONTREAL!!!! nah just kidding... but hey, maybe Toronto could host it, it does have the largest regional! i realize this is unrealistic thinking however, seeing as most teams are American

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

It would be great to have Nationals in Disney again - from what I have gathered it was an extremely convenient, organized, and overall fun event – with the parks, food, and other activities in close proximity, plus plenty of room for expansion. I do not think anyone would complain with that venue switch - who does not enjoy Disney?

However, it is true that a contract has been signed with Atlanta for the
next 3 years.

Corey

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

By convenient, do you mean that the venue was not walking distance from any of the hotels (even on the Disney property), the pits and fields were located in a large parking lot, three of the playing fields were in a large tent with the type of stands that you would find at a high school football field, the Einstein field was on a stage with the large stands quite a distance from the stage and fully exposed to the outdoor elements, the teams rotated among the various fields so scouts and spectators had to move from match-to-match and the concessions stopped selling everything (including water) before the awards ceremony? I'm not so sure that Epcot was as wonderful as you might imagine. Still, the 2002 Nationals was an amazing and exciting event and got me "hooked" on FIRST big time...

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

From what I can tell, there were 2 main reasons FIRST went away from Disney:

1. It cost very much.
2. There was no room for expansion.

Also, these are the 2 main reasons FIRST has not returned.

Andy B.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Also, I believe they are concerned that the surrounding attractions draw too many people away from the competition. This was true especially after finals started.

GO 1403!!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

um... i mean... like an arena like the GA dome or something to that effect... i know of the sports complex...

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

From what I have heard from my mentors and the seniors on the team...

1. The water wasn't being sold because it was free. There were barrels of free water donated by the Shasta Company with FIRST logos on the bottles

2.Disney has an entire sports arena which can house up to 17,000 people, plus and is willing to discuss possible expansion. It is my understanding that if Disney wants to hold an Olympic event that they are prepared to do so.

3.Although the finals were outdoors, all other divisions were played in large air-conditioned tents as well as the pits.

4. In addition, there was a special tent set-up for free Internet access and a separate machine shop.

5.The distance between the pits and the competition tents was minimal.

6. Although, this was a constructed village in a parking lot, it was done in true Disney style, along with thousands of feet of outdoor carpeting throughout the entire event. FIRST even had their own store.

7.Shuttles to the hotels were provided and made special stops at the FIRST location. The cost for the hotels was actually less than what the team is now paying in Atlanta. We were guaranteed to be located all on the same floor of what ever hotel we selected. In addition, we were given a security guard at night to monitor our area In case of an emergency situation. We were also given access to a van for our team mentors to use as needed and provided with transportation from the airport. The food was moderately priced, and of excellent quality -plenty was available for breakfast and lunch. The lines moved relatively quickly.

8.Evening entertainment included access to all of the Disney Parks that were open, including an after hours pass for FIRST participants. Unlike what is available in Atlanta. The team party was professionally organized by Disney organizers to be appropriate for all participants. It was located in Epcot, open only to FIRST participants.

9. Disney is a safer and more controlled area. That is very family and team oriented area and truly kid safe.

10.Disney is also a reward for all of us who have worked so hard during the entire season and somewhere we can all look forward to going.

This is a place where I hope to see Nationals return to, because of its outstanding organization, unmatched dedication to participants, and overall excellence in insuring safety, fun, and success of the event. I can't imagine why Disney would not want to host this event as they host many large groups annually. My vote goes to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.


-Lea

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

It has my vote. Those are all valid points - how many people can we get to vote on having it in Disney in the near future? Please reply if you agree.



-Corey

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I don't understand this. Isn't attending the Championship Event rewarding enough? I also think a theme park could easily sap much energy from the competition.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Personally speaking, attending the Championship in both Houston and this weekend in Atlanta did not feel rewarding at all. Each time, it felt more like work than anything else -- long days of competing followed by comparatively little options to relax.

Our team has unanimously decided, in fact, to pass on attending the Championship in the future and, in its place, attend additional regional competitions in locations that have more to see and do than the Championship currently provides. Our likeliest destination next season is Southern California and that is precisely because places like Disneyland offer our team a safe, appealing environment to relax and enjoy one anothers' company.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I've got to side with Alan here. It was by the proverbial skin of my teeth that I was able to make it to Atlanta this year, and I had a grand old time with just the event itself. (Well, and chilling out in CNN center afterward with friends.)

I'm still not sure how the kids were able to do the theme parks as well. Between the day of working in the Dome and walking back to the hotel, I was shot after each day--and I'm not exactly a geezer, mind you.