Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

heres a crazy idea....how about FIRST increases the registration by say 500-1000 dollars more a year. approx 1000 teams multiplied by the additional thousand would be 1,000,000 ( yess a million dollars from just a registration fee hike) dollars, add in a few sponsors who would gladly foot the bill as well as state and govenrment. Thus FIRST goes scouting and finds the ideal site...one with plenty of hotels, plenty of nightlife, and plenty of all around entertainment, and FIRST BUILDS A FULL TIME ARENA TO HOLD NATIONALS.... one that will be able to accomodate the 500+ teams who usually attend plus pits, and seating. heck, FIRSt could even during comepetition maintain their own bus schedule to each hotel. and it wouldnt be totally out of the realm of possiblity either..

maybe im just whacked, but this would seem to solve a lot of the present issues...however i am open to other points of view.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Except... FIRST just raised registration fees.

And $1,000,000 won't give you enough money to lease the land, and erect a tent. It costs multiple hundreds of millions of dollars to construct stadiums.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

As a Michigander I resent this, and although I live an hour north in Flint. Detroit is still a nice city and the area has really cleaned up the past years with the Detroit Pistons winning a Championship in basketball and having what will hopefully be a third year in a row going to the Finals. Plus considering that the Pistons and Detroit Red Wings are both at the top of the division and conference, and league. Theses venues have brought a lot of money into Detroit the past years and has been cleaned up. Also you have to consider that Superr Bowl XL (40) is held at Ford Field which is home to the Detroit Lions. It is a brand new stadium built i believe 4 years ago. And just a few months ago across the street from Ford Field is Comerica Park which is home to the Detroit Lions and the 2005 All-Star game.

I know i might sound like that I am showing a biased opinion base on sports but the venues and money that detroit has brought in, in the past years would make it a great place for a FIRST Championship.

Know Im not saying this because it is only an hour away but because the facilities of Ford Field and Tiger Stadium and being just across the street, makes a great place to have enough parking and area for Pits.

Rumor has it that Detroit wants to be on the bid for the next summer olympics. Know I know this is a longshot but with everything this city has done, it has gotten cleaner and looks as good or even better then some large cities that already hold FIRST events.

And i wouldnt rule out if it was in Detroit what would happen for the party that is held for the teams. Detroit is a city of music and would be cool if FIRST could get a performer. There are many place to go and eat near and far. Hotels are not a problem, because of the recent events that they are holding. With all the sports venues in Detroit I believe it would make it an excelent place to hold a Championship.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

DUDE....I WANNA DO THAT!!!!!!....Check out "Freedom of the Seas" a new ship from Royal Caribbean....It might work...convert the ice rink in to the playing field!!!... :D

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

QE2 all the way baby!!!...we could use the fancy dining room!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

well i didnt read all the posts so if u see ur idea dont be mad, but i say we should have the regionals either in new jersey, florida, nevada :rolleyes: , or we could over sees to some international place. :ahh: what if FIRST decides to have a thing out to sea using boats to provide competition and sleep areas for the teams. this would be good for the water challenge.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

To minimize the cost of travel somewhere in th middle of the nation seems like the best idea. That way a reasonable bus trip can get your team there and you don't have to fly. If you put it on a coast then half the country is forced into higher transportation costs.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

If it was in the central US (and I mean CENTRAL), most teams would have equal travel costs, but bus trips would be kind of hard...that's over 24 hours of continuous driving. I'd be willing to bet that MOST teams would opt to fly in that case, which would dive the overall cost for teams up.

Championships in Hawaii would be fun, though really REALLY expensive travel too

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I dont think anyone mentioned this...but what about holding a championship in DC? DC is our nations capital, and historically it is beautiful and educational...as far as venues, i dont know, but i know there are lot of hotels in the area...i dunno, just a thought.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I think that they want the location to be more centralized to make traveling "more fair" for everyone no matter where they are located. I think the championship event should stay in Atlanta. Atlanta is definitely big enough, the area is great and they have plenty of hotels within walking distance. It is a great place overall and I don't think their is any need to change the venue. I understand that the contract with the Georgia Dome will be up after this year, but can't they work out another?

GO 1403!!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Why not Toronto, we already hold the largest regional (in terms of teams, I believe), It is one the largest Cities in North America (larger than Atlanta). It could easily be held in the Skydome(Rogers Center) or the Toronto Convention Center. FIRST is definitely not as established here, my team 610 was the 2nd FIRST team in Canada and we only started in 2000, but we continually grow at an astounding rate holding 2 regionals now with over 100 teams attended both regionals in total last year. Bringing the championship to Canada would help grow it even more. I know it is fairly far-fetched but even for only 1 year it would be very beneficial to FIRST's growth.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

They did. '07 will be in Atlanta, '08 and beyond is up in the air.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I LIKE it! good excuse to visit canada. The only problem I forsee would be customs, but I'm sure they could work something out...i can't imagine what it would be like for them having a few tens of thousands of teenagers rushing across the border? (no, this is not meant to be sarcastic)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

http://www.usfirst.org/about/news/2007CMPsite.htm

There is the option to continue in Atlanta for 2008 and 2009.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

that is not always true. you just have to look for good deals. plus if your team Can raise enough funds then maybe the members would only have to pay a small percentage of the cost. :D

any way i believe that the championships will continue to be held in Atlanta,Ga. reason why, why not, it is a fast moving city, the airport is always moving most of the times. everything is right around the corner from the dome and like santosh said Marta can get you just about anywhere. plus we just got the Ga. Aquarium in and it is just across from the Dome. also last year i heard that the next championship will be held in ATl. so for all you can get in Atalanta why not hold the championship there. it is a great city and everything you could possibly think of is probably in walking distance. :cool:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I just hope I get to go to Atlanta before they change the location...

Although I read earlier about a rumor that it may move to Disney World... or Land...
How fun would that be?!? :D

Then again, Toronto would be fun too! I never have been to Canada!

Either way, before we think about Nationals... Good luck to all in Regionals!

~Zara~
Team 1676
Pascack Pioneers

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I Still Think a Disney/Anaheim Convention Center championship is practical and a great site. A ton of Hotels, More than enough spaces for fields and pits + a arena for the main Field, close to shopping/restaurants, fairly good neighborhood, and DISNEYLAND!

Another good site might be Glendale,Arizona not just because its my hometown but we now have a brand new arena and football stadium right next to each other and a large shopping/hotel district being built right now on the same property.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Why not have one in Israel? (or would the threat of terrorism be to much then?) or hold it in a state that has NO regional. that would bring about even more teams for FIRST and have them create more regionals.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

With the FIRST Championship getting so big, i think the only three places taht would be able to hold that, VEX and FLL would have to be Las Vagus, Orlando or Chicago, Those are the locations of the three largest convention centers in the US.

Las Vagus,
A place for your mentors to get drunk and hang out with strippers and play with a dice insted of a poof ball or tetra

Orlando,
A good place to have a vacation, convention center has ALOT of hotels in area, and has lot of attractions
(brings back memories of EPCOT)

Chicago.
Same thing, but not sure about the weather

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

As far as convention-style gatherings go, the FIRST Championship is small potatoes. There are a lot of facilities that could handle it without too much trouble. Actually, Orlando would not have come to my mind (although I see you are from there, so perhaps that might influence you.) I haven't been to Championships yet, so this is a guess, but I doubt we use even half of the GWC in Atlanta.

I'd like FIRST to consider using the new Colorado Convention Center in Denver. It's time to give western teams a break on travel...

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Thinking ahead a few years. :rolleyes: How about the NEW Giants/Jets Meadowlands stadium when it is built. They are trying to be ready for 2010 football season :cool: . Last I heard they are going to try to domed it so they can get a BIG GAME :D . If haven't heard only the NFL is allowed to say SUPER BOWL. If have not never been there it is located right off the highway HUGE parking lot plenty of hotels in the area.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I see it staying in atlanta for the near furture. The airport is a huge hub, one of the busiest in the world, behind only chicago I think, and that makes flights cheap. The facilities and attractions are perfect, it's a safe city for kids to wander around in. I dont think it'll go back to epcot because FIRST actually outgrew that venue.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I wouldn't call Atlanta the safest to wnader around (it's in the top ten for US murder rates) but Atlanta is perfect in my opinion for the Champiohship. The convetnion center is a great perfect location for the pits and the Georgia dome is a great facilty and the after party at Centenial Park is a good time (if the weather holds up).

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I like the idea of toronto, with the TIC holding the FRC event and the Skydome or the NTE on Lakeshore holding the competiton for VEX and FLL, but the problem is that those two locations are across town. The TIC is near ithe airport. And i dont think there is a reasonalble food locatin near taht nor the NTE. (i went to Toronto in june, so i know.). But the problem with southern california, arizona and other southern teams is that we have alot of imagrants and we could have trouble at the border or at customs.

A convention style championship, with a team having a pit like a mini convention booth (10x12), with approxomatly 600 teams (thats my size prediction for FRC Championship in 08) and all the VEX and FLL teams. We would fit and a Long Term contract would be cheaper for FIRST.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Toronto is a terrible choice due to the border issue.
It'll never happen in Toronto.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

What about Texas Stadium.

Dallas is a big plane hub, just like atlanta, so it is easy to get to. and has alot of cool stuff. and this way, we can stick it in RadioShaft's face and show them what reprecussion FIRST can give for abondoning us and going to a more 7-11, best buy mix style store.

You got all the advantages of Atlanta but in a more centreal location... plus acomodations look better in the downtown area and plus. with arlington and Ft. Worth, it's a tri-city area.

there aren't that many teams from the Dallas area... maybe this could step it up a notch.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

What if it rains? Can they close that opening in the roof that's over the playing field?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

yea, it is a retractable roof just like at relinace stadium in Huston,

hick, why not the 281

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Why not try put it in the state with the lowest team density? Try and promote a bit of growth? Most states probably have a stadium somewhere that's big enough.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I think St. Louis, Denver, or Washington D.C. would be good places. St. Louis and Denver are near the center of everybody. The capitol would be nice place to play in too, like the MCI Center. A national in Canada might be neat but far away.

Josh

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I would like to see it move to another place soon, it gets kinda of boring going to the same place. what about philly!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

well i doubt this would happen for a while but it would be cool to have nationals in another country like New Zeland

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

It's already in Georgia...

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Boy this thread is getting alot of mileage...
Let's see.
What is required to properly host a FIRST championship? You need:
-A large, dome stadium ( the robots are not designed to handle the elements. Half of the team can't even design them with a functioning autonomous mode never mind weatherproofing them!). Not a basketball arena that would be OK for a regional a football stadium that can host at least five fields.
- A large area adjacent to the dome stadium for the pit area, Not the stadium itself.
- A good amount of hotel to host 340 teams and numerous volunteers and important people.
- A nice place to host an after party (It's a big deal with FIRST. It's a big deal with us). Good weather is probably a determining factor (which is why Detroit is a no go. It's still cold and I know I ain't going outside to eat dinner if it's cold. And yes I know it got cold last year but that was a freak storm. It's actually cold at night up North because it's supposed to be)
So with that in mind instead of throwing things against the wall to see if they'll stick come up with some authentic suggestions that FIRST can actually use or else why not be happy that Atlanta is actually willing to host the event and move on.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I think NYC should be the choice, not because i'm from that area, but who doesn't want to go to Madison Square Garden, or what will be the New Yankee Stadium (2009 and later) which will have a retractable roof?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

if there was a way for nats to get back to orlando, i'd be so happy.

everything is close, and there are things to do after the competition is over.

anywhere is great, as long as it's FIRST....for me anyway.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

i think chicago would work well, especially if we used mcormick place convention center, but in reality any major city would be fine.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'd like to say the staples center in LA, but the traffic down here is horrible. I live maybe 15 +-1 miles away from the Staples center and it'd be 1 hour drive. And also that'd make airfare more expensive for the east coast. I'd love to see it change every single year so teams could go and experience new places. I have never gone to Nationals (which I'm very excited about attending) but I'd love to travel, hopefully a bit cheaper. My airfare just for Atlanta was somewhere in the 440's.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

WesleyBalmer said: Airfare has to be a major consideration for most teams. Of course it costs more to go to the east coast from the west and vice versa. This is not even mentioning international travel for some of the FRC teams. Perhaps go through a travel agent or get real creative with your flight searches on the web.

You should be able to find less expensive flights. Leaving LAX Wed and leaving ATL Sun, through Travelocity, I just found round trip Airtran (non-stop), United & Americawest flights from LAX leaving late night arriving 5-6 am in ATL. This was for 6 people and the total costs including fees & taxes was $334-$347 each. If you can get more creative on your travel dates they had flights for $244 round trip. Of course arriving early morning in ATL saves you another night in a hotel.

Dave

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Dallas is one of the most expensive cities to fly into because American controls so many of the gates. Competition is limited and that drives up te prices. This could be a huge impact on teams that had to fly in.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I agree with the basic requirements for a host site and posted something similar in this thread a long time (almost a year) ago:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=18

With those requirements in mind, I suggest that St. Louis is a good candidate:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=25

With regards to weather, rain is a possibility almost anywhere in the US in late April: The thunderstorm in Atlanta last year was incredible, especially if you were out walking :eek:. The typical temperature range in St. Louis around the end of April has a high of ~70 and a low ~50.

Another advantage for St. Louis, location: it is just east of the geographic center of the continental US. Not too far to travel for any of the US teams and somewhat closer for the multitude of mid-west teams than Atlanta.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Hahahahha yeah that would be saweet!!! I can imagine someone driving their robot off the boat into the sea...

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I have to disagree with you there. Right now it's 70 outside, and next week it might (doubtful) reach 80, so Detroit is actually great with all the global warming (off topic, we)

Tomasz Bania

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I know I'm a little biased, but San Diego meets all of these needs. Our Convention Center would be the perfect place. It has three floors , the first floor perfect and big enough for 5 fields and the second being perfect for the pits. Plus there are 5 freight elevators on the second floor. All you would have to do is push your robot in to one of the freight elevators and take it down to the first floor to the playing fields. This should significantly cut down the time it currently takes to get your robot from the pits to the playing field in Atlanta.

Right across the street is the 'Gaslamp Quarter ' which has tons of restaurants. Plus the convention center is in downtown San Diego and there are about 9 hotels within a 5-15 minute walk from the convention center, and many more just a short drive away.

As for the weather... well, San Diego is sunny (60-75 degrees) most of the year.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I agree... StL is a perfect candidate for the Championship. It's only 5 hours from the Quad Cities instead of 16 hours. Hehe. Ya'll could come party and eat pizza in the QC afterwards. Lol... I'm sure the best pizza in the world, Harris Pizza, would be glad to host 20,000 high school students... :yikes:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Well I started to read this thread but then realized that there are 17 pages and I don't have enough time to skim all of them. So If I repeat anything I apologize. I Like the Atlanta area. It's a nice place to be with a big courtyard for students to lounge and play Frisbee and hang out. All the hotels are within MARTA or walking distance, which I might add that last year when the MARTA was shut down we did have to walk from the Marriott Marque. There are also a lot of hotels in the area that are big enough to accommodate teams. The airport isn't too far away. There are restaurants that are within walking distance but I must say that if you expect to eat after the competitions that you make reservations because last year everything was packed with no room for anyone without having hours to wait. The Team party is also within walking distance of the hotels. The weather has been beautiful for almost all the Championships since it's been in Atlanta except last year we had a storm.Now after all the good things here is a bad point. If you fly down to Atlanta and rely on walking or the MARTA you get bored of seeing the same things over and over again because everything is a ways away if you want to make your trip an educational one.
-Disney was a good place to hold it but I remember one year when they had the pits under the tents and it Stormed outside the pits got flooded because the rain was SO bad. The team party was good because you got half the theme park to FIRST Teams. Also you have to realize that it took a while to build the site for the Championship. the tents for the pits, the Stage for Einstein, the tents for the other fields.
-I think with Houston it was a good thought but the Pits were TOO far away. Although Atlanta is a good walk aways too. Something about Houston didn't make it seem like a good Championship spot but I can't put my finger on it.
-I agree With making the Championship out west. This gives the teams from the west a break on travel costs and the teams from the east an educational experience. This is a good opportunity for the teams from the east to see a lot more of the country and maybe even some of the teams from the west too.

But if I remember correctly the Championship will be in Atlanta until 2009........ SO Keep thinking.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

There are a lot of positives about Atlanta as 379Robocat has pointed out. We do have a great close airport, good rail service, thousands of close hotel rooms, great game venue and venue for the Saturday social. The GA Dome & World Congress Center are a good fit for First. I think that almost any dome & convention center (pits) are going to have a long walk between them for an event with 335+ teams. This walk was improved last year compared to 2004. Food & drink prices are high inside the dome as with any big city arena, but right next door there are many different fast food and sit down restaurants in the CNN Center.

The Championship event may be in Atlanta for the next few years but other locations should be considered and I am sure they are. I suppose that Atlanta has the best combination of what First is looking for, right now. No venue is going to have everything you want. Having the event further west will make for shorter and less expensive travel for the western teams but until First finds a better venue for the Championship why should the event be compromised? I wonder if the GA Dome & GWCC are giving First a rental discount just to help keep the event here? If a better venue is found, lets go and see other parts of this great country.

However, 379Robocat is also correct that there has not been much to do downtown. There are great places to see around Atlanta but without your own transportation seeing them is not possible unless they are on the Marta rail line. Atlanta is trying to correct this with the addition of the Georgia Aquarium this year and late this year the Coke museum is moving over to the Centennial Park area. Atlanta tried to get the Nascar museum but that was recently awarded to Charlotte.

See everyone in about 11 days.

Dave ;)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Yea the new stadium in Glendale/Phoenix will be ready for the 2006-2007 NFL season, also the arena is right next door for pits or the parking lot w/ tents

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Don't they usually announce it at the championships after the awards? I miss the last part of the awards.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Orlando/Disney in 08 or 09...

Disney is building a new sports complex + arena... like huge football type arena...

DISCUSS!!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'd love to have the Championships back at Disney World!

But here's a new idea for all of you - what about a mini-Nationals / super super-regional that would be held at Epcot again?

Thank about it, three fields, about 160 teams, back at Epcot... You can even have an "off-season" mentality to the event, where the mood is a lot more festive since it would be held at Epcot. You can even host the event at the end of June, two months after the Championships and right at the begining of summer break, and make it a giant celebration of everything FIRST. Who can resist that? :D

I'd like this idea, because I'm biased; I'm already missing Atlanta. That's right everyone, I am officially suffering from PCAD - Post-Championshipitis Adjustment Disorder! And the sad thing is, I know there are probably thousands of other people who are suffering from this right now as well.

I was so bored in school today, that all I wanted to do was to walk outside to the grassy area and hang out with other cool CDers like in Atlanta. You know, hang out in the shade, chat, play frisbee, toss Genia, start Sharpie wars, watch Matt get dunked in the fountains for the umpteenth time. Good times, good times... If only I could somehow put that into words for the hall monitor as I tried to "get some fresh air" between classes today. Senioritis they know about, but PCAD is a totally new ball game to them. :yikes:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

It's called Wide World of Sports, it's been around for many years now. Nobody really uses it. I'd love to go there, but I think Disney is over guys. I hope not...

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I seem to recall rumblings of an off-season event to take place there, but nothing came from it. Might have potential.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Well according to the GD's calendar Championships will be held at the GD through '08.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Nope, No offesason event at epcot.... This year......,


You know, disney is one of our sponcers


I'll c what i can do for next year...

Is there any proof for Epcot 08-09" Championship

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.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

PEOPLE, the competition was held in the BACK of the park, in a parking lot, you would most likely need a shuttle to get to the parks.

I think Disney is a great idea, although, im not sure if it has room to really expand, i would consider disney for FLL World Festevel, but FRC competiotion should be played at either Universal Studios Orlando, (They have alot of room over there to expand) or the Orange County Convention Centere On International Drive,

Nice Hotels are nearby. Disney is a 10-20 minute drive from OCC. Universal is the same distance. Hotels are right across the street. Many locations for lunch and dinner, nice selection for Fast food, and Sid down restorants, places to walk around (Point Orlando, just down the read, has many specalty shops and restoraunts and a HUGE arcade, Hooters, movie thearters. and big open areas to walk around) Cheap Entertainment, Miniture Golf, GoCart Racing, rides and all that fun stuff less than 15 minutes away.

And on top of that, i bet you can have 4 Divisions, with two feilds in each division, Einstin, DaVinci and a whole practice feild for each division, plus pits and all the other exibits. ALL under ONE roof.

just my $0.02

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I assume you never attended the event at Epcot. For most of its run there, it was held in one of Epcot's parking lots (Discover, if I remember correctly) and was located to the side of the park's entry. It was not more than a five minute walk from anywhere at the event into Epcot, or similarly, to the monorail station. There was food available on site, but the event was also convenient enough to Epcot, particularly, that food vouchers good for eateries in the parks were included among the packages.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Hooters? :yikes:

Like Hooters in Austin? :yikes:

Hooters and Disneyworld, hmmm

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

The endless walking from the...

Hotel to the Pit Area,
From the Pit Area to the Dome,
From the Dome Entrance to your Division (Far walk for some)
From your Division to the Dome Entrance,
From the Dome Entrance to the CNN Center,
From the CNN Center to the Pit Area,
From the Pit Area to the Dome Entrance,
From the Dome Entrance to your Division,
From your Division to the Dome Entrance,
From the Dome Entrance to the Pit Area
-Repeat 6 or 7 times-
From the Dome to Your Hotel
From your Hotel to Dinner
From Dinner to your Hotel

...Is probably what caused your tiredness. You would have been even more tired if you traveled via the MARTA system. I think one of the main advantages to having it at Disney is that everything is in close proximity – not only in reference to the pits and fields but also to other members on your team - you would be able to work both in the pit and watch matches as well as be in some contact with your entire team without the hike in-between. Don't get me wrong - being able to attend Nationals in itself is extremely rewarding - but - Nationals in Disney would allow students to relax and have fun in a secure and exciting student-friendly environment. After 6+ weeks of constant work, I think that relaxing and having fun in "true Disney style" is the best reward that can be experienced after a long day of competition - and would be enjoyed by all participants and their families.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I admit, Epcot was good spacewise. However, we were right by the main entrance, it was a bit of a walk to parking, and there was a distraction less than 100 yards away: Epcot. There were other distractions that were farther, but had transportation readily available: Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Plus, the sun. If you were watching Einstein, you needed a hat an binoculars. Not to mention the scouting nightmare of teams changing fields, etc. And, if it rained, the pits would get very soggy.

The best place for FIRST to hold Championships is: in a covered football stadium with a convention center or another sports venue nearby. I only know of two places like that, and Houston had those ramps. Atlanta is the other. And, I think Atlanta is the best place for now. If we outgrow that, we'll need a stadium devoted to Championships and robotics year-round.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

The venue is only half of the concern, the other half is the location. The location needs to be safe and have surrounding activities besides the TV in the Hotel room. Disney would have the parks to allow students the freedom to simply not do anything- no scouting, no speaking with judges, no VIP tours...As of now - as previously mentioned - the day concludes with a walk back to the Hotel and five hours of free time that cannot be filled. A covered football stadium would be excellent, but what is the location of the stadium and is it appropriate for students to RELAX and have FUN?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

One Word: Philadelphia

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Two Words: Detroit City.

Why??
If we can host the Superbowl an All-Star Game, an International Auto Show, and the NBA Playoffs (since we keep winning) in a span of 7 months (3 of those are within 3 months), we can definately host FIRST!

After-hours entertainment ??
(Campus Marcius), Detroit Science Center (location of Detroit Pep Rally, movie theaters, DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts),Belle Isle, Detroit Zoo, and something's always going on at Hart Plaza.

Team Social??
Campus Marcius and/or Hart Plaza

Hotels???
Three words (NOT A PROBLEM)

What Else Do You Need???

Tomasz Bania

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Detroit doesn't seem to be that much of a problem to hold Nationals. But where would the pits be? Is there a location such as a football arena that could hold the competition but a surrounding area to hold the pits? I know when we went to the Detroit competition we went by the stadium and ended up eating at Greek town but there didn't seem to be a building right next to it for the pits. Or is that a big enough arena to hold the pits but I doubt that. That would be a perfect central location for us so we wouldn't have to fly or be on a bus that long like we did to Atlanta, Orlando or Houston. I would really like to see it go out west again. I liked it out west in Houston but for us as a team we really didn't enjoy it too much. We went to the beach on a Wednesday but it was closed because it was too cold. There wasn't much for us to do there. The hotel we stayed in wasn't that good and it didn't seem like the atmosphere for Nationals it seemed more for business. Just my thoughts.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Except that they aren't within walking distance of Ford Field.

Pits? The convention center (Cobo) is more than a mile away from the stadium. And there's no space at Ford. The Rolling Stones' set for Superbowl halftime had to be set up across the street at Comerica, outside, and pushed into the field. If they don't have staging room for stage parts, they certainly don't have room for pits.

As another poster stated, you need a full-size arena next to a convention center for FIRST to work. Indianapolis was another location suggested earlier in this thread.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

1.The buisness part would change.
2. Yes, Weather IS unpredictible, but the Sterling INN has an Indoor Waterpark and most of the hotels are pretty good at catering to unique types of clientel.
3. In the rare case (you could always put the pits in those HUGE walkways) that there wouldn't be enough space, you can just put the whole event in Cobo Center!
3.Detroit's VERSIONS (notice the S) of Centennial Park are Hart Plaza AND Campus Marcious.
4.We are a State with one of the greatest number of tems per capita.
5.Team's up here don't want to pay 10+ Grand to get down there (I agree, Californians have had a harder time, but our team could never afford to go all the way out there).

My personal opinion: I don't necessarily like walking through all the seats half-way across a Stadium in between all those seats as either people are sitting there or It's taped off (Experienced this in Palmetto). There is actually a lot to do in Detroit, but not many people realize it.

Tomasz Bania

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Linking to last reply:
Cobo is right next to Joe Louis Arena, Cobo is a HUGE place, probably enough to host the whole event, but if you do need the space, you can go to Joe Louis for some more space, which is linked by a walkway.

Off-topic: What exactly is next to the Georgia dome to hold all the "Extra" stuff?

Tomasz Bania

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I don't know about being next-to the Dome, persay, but there is a lot of space beneath the dome. The floor level, beneath the seats, also opens up directly to the shipping areas between buildings B and C of the Georgia World Congress Center.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'd just assume to leave it up to FIRST to find the ideal location. I'm sure they are better at this than we are. I want it in the Quad Cities but that's not gonna happen... ever. Chicago or StL would be nice. I'm sure many major cities have ample facilities for this even. What's wrong with Atlanta? Besides the walking distance.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

This seems to be one of these never ending threads. For now and until 2008 or 2009 we are stuck with Atlanta. People are going to have to accept this and have to deal with this until then. And Epcot will probably never happen again. If it would why would FIRST leave in the first place? Right now looking at all the possibilities Atlanta is a good choice. If it wasn't, would FIRST have resigned a contract? Also if these places are what everyone says they are don't you think FIRST has already looked at those possibilities? Until then this is what they have to deal with. Who knows maybe they know some place that's expanding and will be able to host a Championship in a few years. But every year FIRST keeps growing bigger and bigger and places to hold it are getting smaller and smaller. I'm not trying to bash this thread I'm not, but the Championships are going to be in Atlanta for 2-3 more years. Everyone is bashing Atlanta. This is a good spot, think about it. I know I haven't been in FIRST as long as some people have but in my 6 years I have seen 3 different places for the championship. Atlanta is convenient with the dome for the competition and the congress center for the pits and centennial park for the party. Hotels to accommodate 10,000+ students withing walking distance, restaurants within walking distance, MARTA cheap, reliable and convenient transportation. This is a low maintenance facility unlike EPCOT where the fields had to be constructed under tents, Einstein field and the main seating for the main field to be in bleachers outside. The pits were constructed in a tent outside so when it rained the pits flooded and you had to pick up all the power supplies off the ground. If it rained when you were watching Einstein, opening/closing ceremonies you were screwed unless you remembered your umbrella. All of this for EPCOT was constructed in their parking lot just to hold a championship. I admit the team parties were fun but FIRST grew too big with FLL and Vex to be accommodated at EPCOT. Now in Houston the astrodome has been demolished if I remember correctly so there are the pits. It's nice to think about it but there are a few more years to get through first. The past is gone and we need to look on the future. The past is nice to dwell on but that's why they call it the past. Now your ideas are great for places to hold it don't get me wrong but you have to consider the event location and surrounding area. Pits, Party, Food, Transportation, Lodging, Recreation, Facilities, Maintenance, all those things. To me I think the Championship will be in Atlanta until at least 2012. I'm sorry if I offended anyone that wasn't the intention of my post. My intention is to show that Atlanta is a great spot for the championships. It's convenient with the surrounding areas and everyone seems to have fun there. They are welcoming us with signs around town and in buildings, trying to accommodate our needs by adding easier transportation to newer different places like the aquarium so teams don't have to see the same boring things every year, year after year. FIRST=Championships in Atlanta for years to come. Keep up your thoughts and ideas but keep in mind what I had mentioned.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

You're right, but by about 2010 cities like Detroit will have no problems hosting it (for example: Cobo Expansion) but till we know for sure, let's just wait and see.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I second the vote for somewhere in the west. Not only would the western teams receive a welcome reprieve from the high cost of traveling east, but it would help in recruitment effots out here!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I really like Atlanta as an alternative until........ WE CAN GO BACK TO DISNEY!!!! :D

One of my favorite parts was when we would all assemble outdoors on a beautiful, clear Saturday morning on the Einstein field. We would hear eloquent speeches about FIRST from such wonderful speakers as Sally Ride. Teams would throw prize after prize into the stands. Disney just put everyone in a great mood. Everyone greeted each other. You felt that you were somewhere special and so did your kids. Anyone that has been there knows that the disadvantages are just overwhelmed by the pure MAGIC of Disney!!

Were the tents crowded and the finals out in the blazing sun? Absolutely.
But we know what the problems are and can therefore fix them.

I would sacrifice almost anything for a return to Disney.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Our "Bluebearded" friend from the Bionic Bulldogs (Team 60) mentioned to me that Phoenix is building a new indoor football stadium for the Arizona Cardinals. It's amazing that Los Angeles doesn't have a facility that could accommodate the FIRST Championships, but it's true. Until I had heard about the new Cardinals Stadium, I was advocating St. Louis as a potential future site.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I have to say I don't know if I, or my team will be willing spend the money to go to Altanta again unless we win a regional/award to qualify. It just isn't that fun of a place to go for 4 years in a row and I think a break would be nice. I don't know how many other people feel the same way, but I'm sure some do.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Be lucky that you guys have the money. I know that there are many teams that don't, and others that fold soon after they go to Atlanta (namely 53) because it can be such a financial problem. (We had the money this year, but we had to cover for 888, 1629, and others at the Historic Electronics Museum, and Das Goat (165) has not been willing to do it yet.) To make it easier, someone should subsidize the championship and/or make it 100% free for regional winners, rookie inspiration, rookie all-star, chairman's winners, and engineering inspiration winners to go.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

That's how our team feels. Our last trip of the season was to go to the Philly regional. It was a close place that we wouldn't need to fly and we spent as much money to go there as we would have for Nationals. But in Detroit we won the Engineering Inspiration award and would have liked to go to Atlanta because we thought we might have a shot. We tried to cancel Philly for Atlanta but we were unable to go there financially. Then one day about two weeks before Atlanta we got a call from our state congressman that said he would find the money somewhere to send our team to Atlanta since we were doing such a fine job this year. I think that the only way we will go back is if we win a regional, a regional chairmans award or something like that.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

We're thinking about going to the Chicago regional (overnight, 4 hour drive) instead of Atlanta unless we qualify. A change of pace would be nice.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

That is correct, and it will be hosting football games this year, meaning it will be totally finished before September of this year. We've always thought it would be an actual possibility since the Cardinal's stadium could hold the fields like Atlanta's stadium does now, and the Glendale Arena (where the Phoenix Coyotes play, literally 2 minutes on foot from the Cardinals stadium since they share the same parking lot) could hold the pits. Most hotels are still at least 15 minutes away right now, but that will change quickly since they will be building new ones to accomidate the Superbowl in 2008 (there's lots of open space around the arena with buildings already going up for this). The only current problem would be how to get robots across the parking lot when it is potentially 100 degrees, but a covered walkway could probably do the trick since it isn't very far. And though it may be close to 100 degrees (more likely 90), you can almost certainly count on it being sunny.

Anway, Atlanta is fine right now. I actually thought everything was extremely close and convenient when our team went there in 2004 (so glad we didn't have to buy transportation there). I just hope it will move somewhere closer to the West sometime, everyone here could really use a break from the expensive Nationals trips.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

What's this about us? I'm a bit confused here...what exactly are you talking about?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

And where would FIRST get the money to do that. Based on rough calculations, putting the price of Nationals at 6k/team, and 7 awards/regional x 33 regionals, that's an estimated cost of..$1,386,000.

Just doesn't seem practical to me. Maybe have like "scholarship" type awards or grants to subsidze costs for some teams..but for all of them..doesn't make sense to me. :rolleyes:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

At the SoCal Regional this year, The Ahmanson Foundation gave a grant to teams that qualified for the Championship at the regional to cover the entry fee ($5K). It's true that transportation, lodging and food are additional costs that a team must bear to participate, but getting the entry fee covered is a great motivator for teams to raise those additional funds. It would be great if other philanthropic organizations would "adopt" other regionals. It is equally important that teams that receive this type of support recognize the contribution by displaying the organization's name prominently on their robot, team shirts, and that the field announce/MC identifies the contribution during team introductions.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

How about Lake Placid New York, they have had two Olympic events. :)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Sorry the Jets and the New York Football GIANTS are building a new Stadium at the Meadowlands. DOME MAYBE??

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Everyone keeps mentioning that the teams in the west have such a longer distance to travel than teams in other parts of the US. They all say that somewhere in the middle of the U.S. would be the best so that is is equally available to all the teams. But distance isn't the issue. Somewhere like Atlanta is a perfect place for the competition because Atlanta has such a major airport. Airfare is determined by the number of times a flight goes to a specific city. If the competition was held in the middle of the U.S. airfare would actually be higher for teams everywhere. So if the westerners really want everyone to pay less, somewhere like Las Vegas would be the perfect venue. There are so many flights in and out of the airport there that flights would be cheap and obviously the city can hold the number of people who would be attending.