Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

So where do you all think championships would be the best place to b hld after Atlanta's contract expires?

I personally really enjoy Atlanta.

It is a fun spot to be at. Everything is within a very close distance of the Dome. And if not, Marta is there. There are tons of cheap restaraunts right outside the Dome at the CNN center. There are a few issues with the certain gates being opened and some being closed, but what do you guys all think?

Please don't turn this into a "It should be here because it would be really close for my team" thing.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'd like to see it go to a place like maybe NYC or San Diego, CA (awesome city, though I don't know if it has the proper facilities) or maybe LA.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I think it should be held in a very large ship in international waters to make it a truly international event. :D

Back to the real topic, I think it should be held in a city where there has been an Olympic event held there because it is already suited for a large number of people. For example, Salt Lake City or L.A.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

That was my answer, Utah would be the prefect place to hold it.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Yeah Salt Lake city would be awesome too :D

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I heard the championship will be held in Hawaii soon...:rolleyes:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

Anywhere but Hartford.

Seriously, anywhere would pretty much be fine. Atlanta is good, but then again I've never experienced any other place. Any major city will be tons of fun, NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, LA, you name it, and I'm sure that, since those are the only places that can hold all these people, Nationals will stay in a city.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Really, I heard it would be held in the Atlantic Ocean because of the water game in 07.

I think Los Angeles would be a prime location. It's a large city, with many teams already around, and the facilities if the olympic site could be secured.

If not LA, I'd like to see somewhere more to the geographic center of the US so that it is more accessible to all teams. However, I can't really think of many places that would be able to handle the large load in that geographic region.

Another place that just came to mind would be a place like Detroit, another area where there is a large concentration of teams locally.

Too many choices!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

i say tampa so i def. can go

where ever it may end up...it def. needs to be in a big city and places to hang out..well with big cities always something to do..

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I would hope for somewhere more west. Every year except Houston in 2003 the western teams always have more distance to travel (and perhaps more $ to pay).

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

It would be kinda cool to see FIRST move around a little.

I understand that they want to stay in the same place for a while because they really learn the area, the facilities and could best run a compeition from year to year just being familiar with the facility.

I'd love to see FIRST go to Orlando for a year or two, LA for a year or two, NYC, Chicago, etc..

First reason is FIRST would really spread and word would get around about the program by local media.

Next reason is because I think each of those big cities almost everybody would like to see, I mean who doesn't want to go to LA just once or hang out in Time Square?

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.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

My vote goes for Indianapolis or Cincinnati, both are cities with great things to do with down time.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I agree with the less time in between changes. It'd be cooler if they changed every year, so teams could go to different places all the time. The 4 year contract just shafts the people who are froshes (Year of '06, '10, etc) on the year that the contract begins because they don't get to go anywhere else. Luckily, though, I get to experience one year of non-Atlanta-ness.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Rumor has it that 4 cities are currently bidding for the championships

Atlanta
Indianapolis
Detroit Area
Disney

Then again, its just a rumor..or is it? :p

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I hope its not a rumor! I like the sound of all of 'em actually!

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.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

The problem with finding a place for chamionships (besides space for the pits) is that you need not just a big floor space but a big area of elevated viewing around it. In places like convention centers, this may me hard to come by. They are great for floor space but don't have any provisions for spectating.

The stadium where the AZ Diamondbacks play in Phoenix is really nice. It has a roof that closes over it. The fields would all fit on the baseball field and the pits could be in the large corridors underneath the stands all the way around the arena. The only problem would be lack of a concrete floor.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

BTW

Seating capacity is rather limited at Staples in the hockey configuration (16,000). It's not much better at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim (17,500).

Problems for accommodating fans for FIRST teams would be amplified compared to that at the Georgia Dome or other domed football stadiums. Teams would have to reserve seats and the logistics would be even more complicated.

As hard as it seems to believe, the FIRST Championships are TOO BIG for Los Angeles!!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

How about Antartica,i would love to go there. Besides the fact that all the drivers will have to wear fur coats. More people will be chearing to keep them selves warm:)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Sounds VERY COOL!

Robots on snowshoes.
No need for freeze spray to cool motors and breakers.
Woody in penguin camoflage.
20 hours of daylight.

It all fits!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I don't particularly care where they are, as long as it isn't snowing and freezing :)

They need to be near a major airport. Atlanta, Orlando, NYC, Chicago, LA, etc all come to mind. The bigger the airport, the cheaper the flights (most likely)

It doesn't cost all that much to fly to Atlanta. You could find $200 roundtrips from the west coast, booked far enough in advance. This is reasonable.

Hawaii...impossible, no facilities large enough, that I know of, and airfare is astronomically high. Something on the order of $600 r/t from San Francisco.

Atlanta is pretty darn good. I like it, not as much as Disney, but I like it. Next year I'm sure FIRST will make it even better.

Disney isn't exactly a cost saving alternative. Food prices are exorbitant. The hotel packages were far less reasonable than those in Atlanta. EVERYTHING is more expensive at Disney. The only thing I liked more about Disney was the atmosphere. It was simply amazing. Having the themeparks was nice, but they didn't make, or break the deal for me.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Theres a lot of factors to consider when hosting a FIRST event.

The most important would be facilities. This includes both venues that would work and reasonably priced hotels near the venues.

But my next most important factor would be transportation. With many new international teams you need to have a good and cheap international airport. Also it is nice if the domestic flights are cheap too. If possible you want a more central location in terms of North American teams so that bus travel is reasonable. It would also be nice to have good intercity transportation.

Food is the next consideration. There needs to be food that is diverse and cheap.

The two other key considerations would be safety and sights. Is it safe enough to walk from the hotels to the venue or to nearby restaurants? And is there things you can do in the city in your off time (if you have any)?

After all these considerations, I think Atlanta is a pretty good place to be. Unless another city answers these questions better I think we'll stay in Atlanta.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

St Louis
San Antonio
Indianapolis

They seem to have domes connected to convention centers that are large enough to consider.

Wetzel

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Ok, so I won't turn this into a "it should be here to be closer to my team" thread, but can i turn it into an "it should be here to be closer to me" thread? Just kidding. I would love Indy or good ole Chi-town though....hmmm....One is an hour from where I live, the other two hours - and 15 minutes from my parents house....I wonder how many teamless FIRST-ers we could fit in their basement.

Sorry, just had to add that. It's the devil in me :rolleyes:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Miami anyone??

Plenty of hotels, one giant convention center that I know of, beaches, good food, lots of hotels, most likely warmer than atl this time of year.


but realistically Atl is a pretty good venue (even though I was a big fan of epcot)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I think a great place to hold championships would be in Baltimore's inner harbor. There are plenty of attractions, a huge convention centers, plenty of restaurants and several hotels.

Another great place would be Biloxi Mississippi. Again plenty of attractions, a medium sized convention center and coliseum, good ole home style southern cooking, and lots and lots of hotels, and did I mention the beaches. Anything to take me back home. LOL

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Please don't EVER do that again! I was drinking my morning coffee and almost spewed it all over my desk! I've been here for 11 years, and as much as I would love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast to host a Regional, there just isn't any way to fit a Championship Event here.

New Orleans, on the other hand, has possibilities. Could you imagine 10,000+ geeks and their parents and mentors converging on Bourbon Street? Wait a minute....... maybe that isn't such a good idea after all.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Similar to Superbowl rules... I think the Championships should always be someplace warm (ex: average high temp above 70 in April).

Frankly, I like Atlanta and I hope the Championships stay there. With every year the event logistics become more accomidating because the venue staff learn really well how FIRST events operate, there's plenty of space to add events and be flexible (VEX, Conferences, FIRST Store, etc...), there's plenty of space for a party, I personally like the city a lot, its Segway friendly, the Omni rocks, lots of restaurants within walking distance, big airport that's easily connected by MARTA, and things seem to be figured out for the most part.

Basically, I think it'll be a mistake for both Atlanta and FIRST to not renew the contract. Atlanta would loose an event the city seems proud to have (lots of hotel staff wore FIRST pins) and FIRST will have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to working with a different venue.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

The Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis is a very similar to the Georgia Dome. Lots of space with an adjoining convention center. St. Louis is centrally located which means less travel for many teams (i.e. California and Michigan). It should be seriously considered. The fact that it is 20 miles from our school is just a coincidence.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Hmm, A nationals in Orlando at Disney would be cool again, and bring back some old memories. Florida is a fun state. Cincinnati would also be a cool place, it's kinda centrally located, huge airport that is a hub for many airlines. I don't know the area too well, but I've flown in there, and the airport is large. What about lake placid, I know at least team 229 would probably like that, but as for things to do...cow tipping..probably not a great choice. I would say, Albany...we have the Pepsi arena, and the egg, which has a giant convention hall with lots of space, theres a museum, and of course cross gates mall which is large, not as large as the galleria in Houston though. I'm not sure this would be as fun as a place like Orlando though, because Orlando was set up big time for tourism, so there is a lot to do down there, but that also means it will cost more. Oh the tough decisions. The only rumor I heard was Orlando from some of the people down in Atlanta, but really, I doubt anything has been decided upon yet.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Currently, Atlanta is an ideal city, if not the best, to host the Championships since it is a major air travel hub, has the Georgia Dome/GWCC right next to each other, has plenty of hotels and a pretty decent subway system. But since everyone is putting out possibilities for the Championships, why don't I suggest Las Vegas?

Aside from the casinos, there are a few good reasons why Vegas might work, but the key word there is few. There's the Las Vegas Convention Center located there, right in the middle of the Strip. Las Vegas has plenty of hotels, with a bunch of them connected to the Convention Center via their monorail system. You can never run out of entertainment in Vegas, and its location is better suited for the west coast teams. Then again, the whole idea of FIRST going to the "Sin City" to hold their Championships isn't very positive...

Anyway, I'd say the best city for the Championships is in fact Atlanta, for all of Erin's reasons.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Ignoring the Michigan link, I really do think Detroit could work well. We've had experience with big events - with the MLB All-Star Game and the next Super Bowl being the two most prominent - and should be able to handle the big crowds. Comerica Park and Ford Field are close to each other, and would be within walking distance if it weren't for the major road between the stadiums.

That could be blocked off, though.

We've also got four of the biggest FIRST sponsors here - GM, Ford, DaimlerChysler, and Delphi. They're all in the Detroit area, and it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to get them involved in running Nationals.

That said, I really would like it to be somewhere else. I've been in Detroit for years, and I'd love to keep on traveling to new places. Atlanta and Houston were great, but variety is even better...

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

The more I think about it, Atlanta is really an ideal place for the championships. The only thing I did not like was the vagrancy, and there persistence in asking for money. That was the only thing I did not like. The hotels are great, Atlanta is generally warm (this was a weird year for weather - last year was beautiful) There is a lot of room like Erin said for all of the events. One of my personally favorites though, is the large number of starbucks. One in the hotel lobby, one on the way to the CNN center, one inside the CNN center, and one in the GWCC. Those where just the ones along the route I took. I know there was another one by the Westin, but I stayed at the Marriott marquis. Only thing I would change for next year, is to stay at the Omni. I liked the Westin last year, and the Marriott was great, but the omni is located SO close to both the competition, and the wrap party that it makes it ideal, plus you don't have to walk outside to get food. Did I mention the large number of starbucks..

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

There is one huge problem with The Diamondbacks baseball field. They start playing on it right when we would be having nationals. But I have heard it is the nicest baseball field there is.

Atlanta's airpost is the busiest with the most flights going through it than any other in the world.

And I mean, It isn't Atlanta's fault there wre no posters and stuff everywhere. You must understand that the GADome and the GWCC are filled constantly with large scale events like this all the time. Many not this large, but it would still be impossible to give that kind of recognition to every single event. Every weekend it is something new.

I don't know much about the proximity of hotels and entertainmnt and restaraunts to the stadium.

But on another note of recognition, last year, the largest news television channel in the US (CNN) gave some recognition to FIRST and my team. I am not sure about this year. But there was still some recognition there. Not to mention a front page article on the AJC's living section about FIRST. I know that isn't very national, but atleast it was a little recognition.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I think Miami is too far south, sure it would be warm and a great place to go to, but it is far away from most FIRST teams. I think a centrally located Championship would be the best. Not saying it HAS to be Indy but it is close to the middle of most FIRST teams. I would love to see it in St. Louis also, maybe even Chicago or Detroit would be prime locations.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

While I would like to say San Francisco because its my most favorite city in the entire world, I know its just too crowded and small.

So I think the following would be great:

- Indianapolis, Indiana (even though its close, and part of the fun of the event is going to a far away place)
- Atlanta
- SLC (SLC punk!)
- Austin, Texas (South by Southwest festival is there!)
- Orlando, Florida

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I would say that it should be in a location that is warm enough, and is big enough, but not too big, you run into big problems with really big cities.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

San Francisco actually has a VERY large convention center. I don't think it'd work for a number of reasons though.

It would be cool for nats to be 30 min from my house :rolleyes:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I disagree. Ford Field would work for the competition arena (as would any domed football stadium), but where would you put the pits? Unless FIRST is willing to bring in tents like Disney did, there's no place indoors to put that many people, robots, etc.

Also, the hotel space in downtown Detroit is very limited, and the mass-transportation system is nonexistent.

If you move it out of the city, say, to the Silverdome in Pontiac, you still have the problem of where to put the pits, there still isn't a large concentration of hotels in one area, and still no mass transportation. Plus, the Silverdome is scheduled to be shut down after this year's Super Bowl, and may be demolished by the time 2007 Nationals rolls around.

So, while Detroit could work, I would be very surprised if Nationals are around here in 2 years.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

From what the little bridy told me:

Disney is out of the question (as in they didn't place a bid/ their bid was rejected ;) )

Atlanta & Indianapolis = Current front runners with Detroit trailing behind.


I'd like to see it in Atlanta for 07-09

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'd love to see it in San Diego, as well. Facilities might be an issue, though, there are rumors of new stadiums being built (for the Chargers and a possible Olympic run)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

St. Louis
The only problem is that FIRST has connections to the wrong sports team in that city. The owners of the Blues are a sponsor of the St. Louis regional, and the Rams stadium is the one we'd want to hold the event in.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'm going to be unhappy and complain anytime the event is not associated with Disney. I've grown attached to the optimism each organization offers and want to see nothing more than for such organizations to join forces and succeed. I don't like the implicit difference between contracting space in Atlanta and being invited to Epcot, if that makes any sense. I know, of course, that the Disney events weren't established over a handshake and some friendly words, but the discussion surrounding it did a much better job of creating that illusion. Atlanta is, to turn a phrase, strictly business.

Anyhow...

Earlier, someone suggested that Seattle might make a good host for the event. Unfortunately, I doubt the city has the infrastructure to support something as large as FIRST. There is the large Washington State Trade & Convention Center , but it is located in the heart of downtown. That's great for business travelers, really, because it's easily accessible -- but horrible for teachers and parents who have to worry about wandering students.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

FIRST should build their own town to use. :)

Have Kamen Drive, Lavery Lane, Woodie Way, etc.

No really, Atlanta is ok, and Disney would be the best situation for kids, but I understand that Disney *does* cost more. Mabey it's just me, but I'd rather know that my room won't flood from the toilet and then be treated poorly, there won't be any homeless wondering around as frosh run about, etc, and pay a bit more for the hotel package. No matter if FIRST goes back to Houston, I'll be there to support them. :)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Chicago would be an absolutely wonderful place to hold the Championship.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Yeah atlanta was kinda scary in that respect :ahh:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

You don't want an event in downtown Detroit then! :ahh:

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Yeah I know! I've been there lol. And my dad's best friend lives there (he doesn't like it)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I am sure FIRST has been thinking about where the National event will be held after our time in Atlanta is up. Who says it will be in the US? It might be moved to somewhere outside the US. We won't know unless someone..*cough* Dave Lavry...*cough*.. wants to volunteer some information. :D


GO 1403!!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I seriously doubt it will outside the U.S. There are more teams form the U.S attending Champs then from other countries so issues like passports, currency, and such will be more prevalent than ever.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

You are probably right, but I can still dream can't I? Imagine this, traveling to Europe and taking in all the sights, not to mention... a FIRST competition to look forward to!!! :D


GO 1403!!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

You've never been to San Francisco if you think those bums were bad :p

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

How about we have it on the Piers? Pier 30/32? That'd be sweet.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Disney was a cool place - yeah the food was outrageously high priced but here is the positives points.


What other location do you know that is operating 24 hrs to serve you food wise (Disney had one button on their phone direct to the pizzeria which was open 24 hrs and was reasonably priced grant it thats not something you wanna eat for all 5 or more days down there but if its open and it tasted decent enough)

What other locations do you know that has a pool and arcade within the resort as well as a dining section.
(WDW Resorts had those items within their back yard so you didn't have to stray to far from the hotel room - and if you were really in for a excitement fix you coulda went to any of their nearby parks)

Now heres Atlanta in Comparison with Disney - Yeah Atlanta seemed to be an improvement but heres what I disliked about atlanta, No Deli's within a couple of blocks radius to the dome or a hotel =(, The price for Hotel food was WAY to high [e.g. $21 plus 16% gratuity fee and delivery fees for a dish of spagetti and that was for just one person in the westin, or nearly $3 for a can of soda in the hotel or $5.60 for a bootle of water in the hotel] There was NOT much to do in atlanta except go to turner field (really exciting - insert sarcasm here) or the movies which I didn't seem to find =(, The only thing decent in atlanta was the wrap party Other then that I would choose disney over atlanta and thats attending both once a pice (2002 and 2005)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'm hoping for Disney- that worked out superbly in 2002.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Oh my god... Think of the flight over. 10 hr trips in planes brings back horrible memories of trips to Hong Kong. Screaming babies, bad food, hard to sleep on seats in Economy Class. West Coast teams are totally shafted.
Plus, I'm sure that if teams went to Europe, the stands would be deserted. They'll all be out carousing around the city or even the continent. (1-way Flights to various countries actually hover around $40.)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

What if the championship was held in Canada - Since I believe more teams come outta there then any other country involved with FIRST. That would be kewl it would be like a 10 - 15 hr drive from NYC but hey its different =)

For the past 14 years that FIRST has been in exsistance they try very very hard in getting a venue in which is cheap / has some activities that teams can do during off hours / and ensures that the area is safe to walk around by yourself or with fellow members

Championship Venue History:
2000 to 2002 - Orlando
2003 - Houston
2004 to 2006 - Atlanta

prior to those years I have no clue and doubt they're even big enough to rehold the championships there ( go back to the old venues ).
One bad thing about going outta the US; there is WAY to much going on and many of the Board of Ed Officials in different states are really bending the rules in just letting the teams go outta state, I doubt BOE will allow teams outta the country =(. Theres too much at stake and too many lawsuits that could spring up if something goes wrong.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I wouldn't want it to be in SF either :p

SF does have a kinda... nicer overall feeling for me than atlanta though... maybe its just cause the surroundings are more familiar i don't know.

Ignore my ramblings :o

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I really do hope it won't be in Detroit. If it is, every team will need not only team shirts, but also team winter coats, and team snow boots. Quite possibly a team of sled dogs too. Okay, maybe that's being a bit extreme, but Detroit really isn't the best place to hold it. It will be cold, and there really aren't that many things to do in Detroit, unlike Atlanta which has The Underground, The Varsity, the Coke Plant, Hard Rock, etc. Did I mention it would be cold?, because it will. That, and Detroit can be a frightening place if you stray a block off course. (My mom grew up in the scary part of Detroit, about a block or two away from Wayne State(where the Detroit Regional is held), and it is not a nice area. On the way to a Tigers game one time, our van got a flat tire there. Talk about frightening!) Although I wouldn't be that opposed to having the Championship in my backyard (only a 45 min-1hr. drive) That, and the cheapness of it, seeing as the team would only have to pay an entry fee. That's just for my team though, and some others in MI.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Where else! Dallas, Texas. Centrally located and great weather in April. :D

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

i think that nationals should go back to being in Disney...that was awsome times a million lol

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

How about nationals here on long island!! The Nassau Colliseum would be perfect!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I think FIRST will be somewhat limited in 2007. They will need a large place to host all the pits, have enought hotel rooms, and it will need to be next to a large body of water...

You know, because of the "water game"...

I'm going to go hide from the readers at large now, as various things will be thrown in my general direction.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Has anybody plotted the geographic location of all the teams as well as the relative size of their teams over the past couple of years? Might be a good exercise to optimize the location of the nationals for the out-years.

Also, think about it from FIRST's perspective. Wouldn't you like to sign a long-term contract with one venue, with one drayage company, etc for five years? Makes a lot less headache than changing it every year.

I spoke with a guy from Disney down on the floor and he told me that FIRST is actually "too big" for a Disney Resort. Isn't that a GREAT thing....signs of success.

But I agree that a midwestern city (Memphis or St. Louis) might be a good location for a "convention" the size of FIRST Nationals. ps: FedEx hub is Memphis......get it?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

It isn't as cracked up as you would thing. Sure it can cut down on some people's travel expenses. But for us, it involved some of our parents coming down to the Dome and embarrassing us just a little.

You guys saw nothing when you saw those homeless people. We were in one of the best parts of town.

I just think it is really fun to be in the same spot where Michael Vick has ran around. This could be the same for Indiana and Peyton, but personally since I am from here, Vick is much more exciting to watch.

Back on topic, 1 of the biggest improvements that FIRST and the Dome could make would be opening all the gates for enterance. It sucked having to walk all th way around the Dome multiple times a day to get to the parking lot.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Be quiet, you.

We're getting the water game NEXT year. Get your facts straight! ;)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I seriously doubt that the competition will leave the continental US [although Toronto might be fun] as it is hard enough getting the international bots here without incident... imagine how much fun it would be to transport hundreds of bots that far... and through all that red-tape.

My Location Guesses
1.)EPCOT - it was just awsome to be there... seemed fitting somehow that this big push of math and science was happening at the site where people go to see math and science. [heard from someone that they were/are interested in getting us back down there.]
2.)Indianapolis - was there for NCYC a few years ago... they have PLENTY of space in the convention center for the pits and confrences... and it is attached to the RCA dome [spectators would not have to go outside] Also has some large hotels right nearby... not sure about the resteraunt situation though... as we ate many meals in at the hotel as a diocese. Did walk to the hard rock one night though. Centralized location.
3.)Atlanta - It is a wonderful location... but i did not feel that comfortable walking around. Even just over to the Underground. I also do not know much else to do down there that we have not already done.

Location Wish List
1.)EPCOT [I think you know where i want to be.]
2.)Washington DC [They have to have the space somewhere... would be a nice trip for international teams... plenty of free/safe things to do {ie-smithsonian museums} also would bring the program closer to the government... maybe get some funding help to start more teams.]
3.) DEAN'S ISLAND!!!! [It would be kinda snug... we could all bring tents and camp-out. {lots of barges for the pit areas} but hey... wouldn't that be something to talk about.]

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I can just see it now: The competition ends and Dean sends evryone home at the end of his speech by command:
"I WANT ALL OF YOU PEOPLE TO GET OFF MY LAWN!" :p

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Washington DC would be great! If you've never been there... it's nice! Even the subways... they're like cathedrals! Great choice! Museums, monuments, history... a highly educational place for highly educated students. But I would be a little annoyed if the President decided to show up and make a speech. I won't say that I like or dislike him, but I think by now everyone will agree, he's not very good at... well... talking.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I was in DC about a week after nationals last year. If you think the subways are like cathedrals, I think they remodeled them (or I may be confusing them with the NYC subways). Then again, I only rode one line, so what do I know?
Also, do you really want to deal with crowds that are there just to see DC?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

anyway, i hope that nationals is not in the state of michigan. even though i wont be in high school next year, the road trips make it fun. but not too long

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Well its easy to find a good space for pits. And its easy to find a good space for the competition field. But its hard to find a space for a pit area AND a Field. Not to mention some confrence space.

I see it staying in Atlanta for a long time. Remember they were only using 1/3 (maybe a little more or less) of the A building in the congress center for pits alone, and with the walls they have there they could open it up more, thus creating a bigger pit area. Or they could make it harder to qualify for the championship so only the teams with winning records at regionals could qualify.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I'm not really for holding championships in Detroit (of course I'm not really against it either, which makes the issue neutral I suppose) but if FIRST wants publicity I think Detroit would be the place. They try so hard to improve their image that I think if they ever got the chance to host champs they would shout it to the world.

Disney would be my first choice (no matter how unlikely it is I'll hold out hope).

Logistically, I think Atlanta makes the most sense as they've worked out all (well, most) of the bugs and are on the way to holding a perfect event.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Yeah Dave mentioned to me about us needing or having to build hovercrafts

I explicitly asked for a water game next year and he said they'll be hovercrafts so who knows =)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

067.15-07.8440 150.12-13.9620

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Why do I think those are locations for something on Mars?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

My guess is that those coded lines are rover locations for Spirit and Opportunity (not necessarily in that order) or else locations of major geographic locations on Mars.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Nationals on Mars would be so awesome. Dave could finally find his car.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Mars would be cool, but you guys complain about the passport issue/robot transportation to Canada? GOOD Luck with Mars ;)

But seriously, if there was any way possible of having this happen in Canada at some point in time..All I'd be able to say is WoW!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

I didn't think it was possible for Dave to be any more cryptic.

I was wrong.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

But think of the school you'd miss!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

being the east coast has held it soo many times i dont see why that would change i know in nyc madison square garden probably couldnt handel this size event but if that new olympic/jets stadium gets passedfor the 2008 olympics that would definately be a prime place to hold nationals.

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Perhaps its the ISP numbers of people who live in the area!!

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Any place that has a dome is in the running (you need a large arena to accomidate a ever growing list of teams) but the need for decent weather is also a good indicator.
I think the top areas in the running are Atlanta (it aint broke why fix it) Houston (they did a pretty good job and I'm sure they could learn alot from their previous experience), New Orleans (they cretainly have the facilities to host such a large event).
San Antonio has a dome as well, right?

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Just as a thought, wouldn't any football stadium with nearby pit-worthy space do the job? Tents over the fields worked for Disney.

(This is why I think Columbia could do the job at Williams-Brice Stadium--well, other than the lack of hotels.)

Re: Championships location from 07 and onwards
 

Yeah but if a storm like the one we had down in Atlanta come through a tent won't stand up to the weather as well as a domed stadium will.