Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I would do anything to see it go back to Disney... That was probably one of the greatest places of all to have Nationals/now called Championship

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

San Fransisco
Seattle
Salt Lake
Hawaii

Any of those placed would be pretty cool. We need to cut flight costs for Western Based teams for a few years since Houston was the last closest venue (still far from California). I know Eastern teams (like mine) probably want to keep it close, but let others share the benefit.

Side note: What did people pay for travel? Would a bus or plane be better? I took a plane to Atlanta becuase it was better then a car (our team really didn't look into a charter bus).

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Remember that the venue needs to be something on the order of a domed football stadium with an adjacent large facility to accommodate the pits AND, ideally, enough hotels within walking distance. (Unless you liked the large tents such as those used in the Epcot parking lots and bus rides to and from the hotels!)

For example: I don't think the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles could accommodate 5 FIRST competition fields, although the LA Convention Center is nearby for the pits. There may not be enough hotels walking distance from Staples either.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

For that reason, I think Indianapolis would be perfect. They hold Gencon (a big nerdy convention) in this Convention Center there which would be perfect for pits, and the great thing about that center is that for competition stuff, you can walk directly from the Convention Center to the MAIN FLOOR OF THE RCA dome (where the Colts play.)

Now THAT would be cool.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

My top three choices are:

1) DISNEY!!!!
2) DISNEY!!!!
3) DISNEY!!!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Location location location.... And Disney would be an Awesome one in my book. I know many have already talked about how it wouldn't work because the way they used to have it way back when... but I have a strong feeling that Disney DOES have everything it needs to accommodate the event even at its much larger size. I HIGHLY doubt the Championship will ever be held outside again, and do not believe there is a thing to worry about if it were to be moved back where magic lives.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I like Atlanta. But Indy would be cool too. It IS Indiana, which is a happy state, not on a coast, with strong robot support.

I think we're too big to go back to Disney (and I love Disney). 2002 felt cramped. Atlanta is much nicer, IMHO.

Before I weigh in on Detroit, I want to see how well they pull off the Superbowl. If they can pull it off, then I think it qualifies them to try out for FIRST. It's a nice runner-up. :)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

My take is that there will be a renewal at Atlanta for the next 7 years since the venue is the right size and the hotels and city is pretty safe. Other than those pan handlers out in the street that beg for money but when you dont give them anything they curse the hell at you.

Just my 2 cents on what I've heard down in Atlanta from key people.

Ellery

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

To me it does not matter where they have it, but it should be advertised more. I was in a hotel that was mere block from the dome and nobody knew that there was a robotics competition there. If we really want to spread the word we need to pack the spectators in. I know in our town nonprofit organizations get free radio time, I am sure that there is something similar in other cities. At least throw up some posters or banners around town, and announce that it is free to get in, and let people know that they are allowed in the pits. I mean there are how many people that live in Atlanta, and how many that are in the downtown area I think some people would have stooped by if only for an hour if they knew what was going on.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

That would be cool. But I've got one better...

I think the Edward Jones Dome in St.Louis (home of the Cleveland/Los Angeles/Anaheim/St.Louis Rams) would make a great venue. I went to the inaugural FIRST event in St. Charles, MO in 2002? and FIRST has made a HUGE impact in the St. Louis Area. (John Doerr from Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers brought FIRST to St.Louis and the program has been immensely successful there). It is right next to the America's Center - a large convention facility. There are plenty of nearby hotels. The Jefferson National Memorial (also known as the Arch) is nearby as is Laclede's Landing (plenty of restaurants). There's a light rail system that connects downtown directly to the airport. The St.Louis Science Center is just a few miles away...

Why not "Meet Me in St. Louis"???

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

From a distance standpoint, I see Atlanta staying for a few more years. However, more and more teams in the West are popping up, and I definitly agree that this issue needs to be addressed.

However, many Eastern and Midwestern teams are crowded into sponsor centers, i.e., some teams rely on shared sponsors for travel fare AND competition fees. While this makes it more competitive, sending everyone to California becomes exceedingly difficult.

I see Denver, Salt Lake City, and St. Louis as possibilities in the future (region-wise), as well as Chicago. Chicago I am sure has the capacity to hold teams, and I am not familiar with the others capacity wise. As Nikhil said, Indianapolis is very well-geared to hosting.

I will likely not be attending college in Indiana, so I don't feel that biased considering Indianapolis a pretty decent Championship venue. From a standpoint of access however, Detroit and Chicago probably beat out Indy.

- Genia

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Should the Championship ever come to L.A. (haha), there are only two places that have a chance at hosting it. The Olympic site is impractical, as the Coliseum is open-air and the Sports Arena is too small to hold anything bigger than a regional. The two places are: Anaheim Convention Center and Long Beach (Convention Center and Sports Arena). Anaheim: big enough, but there is at least one major distraction across the street, and you might have trouble getting bleachers in. Long Beach: also big enough, if Einstein and maybe one other field are in the Sports Arena and the pits and other three fields are in the convention center.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Well, FIRST could potentially take over the Staples Center. I would like to see it come to the West Coast to allow teams over here a little break from the travel costs that many east coast teams enjoy.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

NYC wouldn't be a bad place just a few issues

Traffic IS a big issue in the city
There is not a big enough arena to hold the Nationals let alone parking for it or storage of equipment
NYC lacks Entertainment for the youngins but has many tourist attractions =)


Some positive things though

If the new Jets stadium gets built on the west side (which also is a Super bowl candidate city as well as the 2012 olympics) maybe FIRST will put a bid in holding it in NYC
There are 3 area airports within an hour to the west side stadium - LaGuardia, John F Kennedy and Newark Liberty Airports
If the west side stadium gets built up parking should be resolved as well as transportation - MTA Going Your Way =)
If The NY Yankees build their enclosed stadium you have a slim shot of getting at least one year of nationals there

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Of the potential LA sites, Staples Center would be the most attractive. Unfortunately, I doubt that 5 FIRST fields could be placed on the floor of the arena. As I recall from when the great game of hockey was played professionally in LA, it's 60 feet from the blue line to the goal line and a lot less from blue line to blue line in the center of the arena. (Our Canadian friends can set us straight on this).

Maybe FIRST would opt for four fields (two in the center and one on each end), but I don't think 5 fields will work in Staples.