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Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
I don't know how early FIRST has to get in their requests, but if we could host the Championship in the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Cowboys_New_Stadium That would be a mind-blowing experience. A giant screen in the middle to display Einstein field, plus plenty of room for the growth of FIRST: from 80-100,000 seats Do you think this would be a feasible idea? |
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Is there a building large enough for the pits nearby? (I.E., closer than the Astrodome to the Reliant.) If not, then it isn't feasible, unless there's a LOT of empty space in the stadium.
Yeah, I suppose you could do a tent village for the pits, but anyone who went to a pre-2003 Championship will probably not be happy at the suggestion. |
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aye: lets go back to DISNEY if it's possible...
but the new playhouse would be great. |
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I have no knowledge of the bid process for the championship but I suspect it's too late for any newcomers. If it's leaving Atlanta I'd have to imagine FIRST already has a preferred location and negotiations with the city are under way. I also suspect it's not going much if any farther west than Atlanta. Leaving the middle of the country makes it much more difficult for the majority of teams to get there. |
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Extremely wild idea...
How feasible would it be to have the Championship held in Canada? |
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While you may be able to fit all of the teams, pits, etc. either in their new stadium or in the parking lots around it, it would not be feasible to host the Championships there. Do a search on Google Maps for "hotels near Dallas Cowboys New Stadium". There is no way you can fit 30,000 people in hotels within walking distance, since there is only two hotels within a one mile radius. Now you can expand this radius if the stadium is along a public transit route, as hotels around all nearby stations/stops are all feasible if there is a discount given to FIRST teams (as there is in Atlanta with MARTA). Since I can see no obvious high-capacity public transit rail lines near the stadium, I cannot feasibly see a way where this would be possible (short of setting up dozens of shuttle buses on a continuous loop), which would be a very expensive and time consuming burden. Now regardless of one's opinions of Atlanta, the city is perfectly situated to host the Championships. They have a large stadium with more adjacent convention center space than one can shake a stick at. The stadium is right in a downtown area with dozens of hotels within a one mile walking distance. In addition, the GA Dome has its own MARTA station, greatly expanding the feasible hotel radius. Atlanta is generally warm during April, and is also a major hub for many [International] airlines (which can lead to cheaper plane ticket prices). Now in the past, Disney also suited these goals well: They had plenty of hotel space, a dedicated high capacity bus/monorail transit system, a warm climate, located in popular destination (Orlando) only a short 20 minute drive from an International Airport, and the fact that it was Walt Disney World definitely helped. But FIRST kind of outgrew the temporary tents they would have to build in the Epcot parking lot, so FIRST had to look elsewhere... :-/ |
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I think we should keep the championships in GA. The World Congress Center provides a great place for pits, while the GA Dome is right next to center. The Dome can comfortably seat a LOT of people.
If we do want to try and grow, and try a "change", I was in Florida, when I was able to take a quick peek at the Orange County Convention center, (I think that's what it's called). The facility is state of the art and it's humongous. It has different wings, (North, South, East, and West) and it would more than suffice for a world championship. |
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WC :cool: |
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There are two venues in the state of Florida, in the Orlando area, that could possibly be able to house the Championship. There is one venue in the Kissimmee, The Silver Spurs Arena, that would be perfect, it would have less of a walk from the pits to the fields but we run into a lack of hotels for the teams in that area. However, as previously mentioned in the thread, when the consideration about hosting it in TX came up, we run into the same problem. Which is the lack of hotels. But, in the Kissimme and Orlando area, there is the Linx Bus System that is fairly inexpensive, and they do have 1-week passes available, the only thing is that they aren't heavily reliable and possibly could not handel the amount of traffic produced by the Championship. Again, as mentioned earlier in the thread is the Orange County Convention Center. This place is HUGE. I High School, we went on a tour of just part of it, but I have not been able to see the entire place. There is defiantly enough room for the pits, and whatever FIRST wants to do that is convention style but I'm not exactly sure if they have a "stadium" of sorts where the field and spectators could easily view the matches. But, according to google maps, if you search "Orange County Convention Center" and "Hotels" and narrow it down to a "1 mile" radius, it says there are 717 hotels. That number seems a bit outrageous to me but the Orlando area is heavily populated with hotels. Now, as for "Family Location". Have we looked at Disney Prices lately? They are not exactly family friendly. A base ticket, with expiration costs 79.88 for a one day ticket, and does not include park hopping. I'm sure they offer some sort of deal for large groups, but it probably won't be that much lower. But hey, there is always the 2009 Florida Regional - and Disney is giving a free ticket to everyone in 2009, as long as it is your birthday. |
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I know in Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Convention Center was part of the RCA dome. Plenty of hotels were directly connected to the building, and the CC could handle the pits easily (hey, it handled 2 world-wide Star Wars conventions without a problem).
However, now that the Colts have moved to their new stadium next door, I don't know if the new stadium has a similar setup, or what the plan is for the CC at the old RCA dome. Anyone from IN know? |
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I'm not sure either about an stadium. It would be interesting to see what happens. |
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I'm among the coaches that would love a return to Walt Disney World. I am not convinced that Houston or Atlanta offers anything that Disney couldn't compete with. Really, in many ways, it was quite a bit more special. |
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You could probably host it in Houston again at either Reliant Park, or the George R Brown Convention Center, provided you followed a different event layout/strategy than currently.
Specifically, forget all about the current methodology of having every single playing field in a giant stadium, cramming the divisional fields in as best you can around Einstein. It's ridiculous, since it's physically impossible to acoustically isolate the divisional fields in a space that open. You end up with a cacophony of fields talking over each other, seating that's only on one side of the field and often too far away, and money wasted on an Einstein setup that sits (mostly) unused for 2 days. Not to mention the pit to field walks for robots and spectators attempting to keep track of things. Instead, go with a true divisional model. Rent out a convention center big enough to house 4 divisions of pits and fields. Put each division's field adjacent to its pit, with rented stadium seating, AV, etc. The fields can be separated enough and intimate enough to keep sound levels down and give the MCs a chance to actually be heard. Plus, walking times are ridiculously short, and you can have seating on either side of a field. When it comes time for the Finals on Einstein, move everyone to a nearby stadium/arena where Einstein has been set up the night before. Everyone always has to do the mass pit exodus for Finals anyways, so I don't think this is terribly different. If necessary, let divisional champs drag half their pit with them. You'll still get an awesome venue for the Finals action, without having to waste the space and equipment rental for it to sit idle for 2 days, plus you get a higher quality divisional experience. Granted, you don't have a convenient gigantic dumping space for superfluous team members, since divisional seating isn't going to have quite the overflow space of a huge stadium... but I think it'd work rather well. Here's my specific pitch. Divisional competition in George R Brown CC. It should be easily sizable enough for 4 divisions and whatever extra FIRST goodness you want. It's also downtown, with lots of hotels and entertainment, and not any scarier than downtown Atlanta we're already dealing with. Einstein Finals to be held in the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets. It's huge, and FIRST has already shown that basketball arena are a good fit for FRC fields. After party to be held on the Discovery Green Park and/or Level 3 of the George R Brown CC. You could do something similar with the Reliant Convention Center + Reliant Stadium, but the hotel situation isn't as nice, and Reliant Stadium is HUGE. Much like the Georgia Dome. The advantage of a basketball arena for the finals is that it ends up much much more intimate. |
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Either way, if we're not basing having the Championship purely on Florida's tourism industry, I'd love to see it back. (Who wouldn't want a 30 minute drive to the Championship each day and still be able to sleep in your own bed?) But there have been plenty of threads on that matter. |
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Oh... wait a minute.... :D I don't think it is likely for the foreseeable future, simply because of the mass of teams and sponsors located in the United States. It makes good economic and environmental sense to locate the Championships near the "centre of mass" of the teams attending. There are also issues surrounding the proximity of pit (convention) space to the stadium (competition) space that you really have to see in order to believe. Vancouver, for instance, does not have an appropriate venue, and I have some doubts that Toronto does, either. I would never say "never" to this idea, however. FIRST is growing and is a fairly open-minded, forward-thinking organization. Convention centers and stadiums get built and expanded. It is clear that the Championships are no longer referred to as "the nationals" or "the national championships" because of the international nature of the competition. If FIRST continues to diversify internationally then it is inevitable that the Championships will be held outside of the United States. Just keep in mind that it took a century to get the America's Cup races to Australia, and almost that long to get a World Series to Canada. So be patient, keep a passport up to date, and just be glad that Canadians receive a warmer welcome to the USA than other international travellers who are greeted with the friendly welcome of being fingerprinted like common criminals. Jason |
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Personally I think that atlanta is fine, but many of the new dome stadiums would be good options, Lucas Oil stadium comes to mind, as Indy would be a good place IMO. |
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Except that under current rules, approximately 250 teams qualify directly. Plus another 30 or so that pre-qualify - HoF, past winners, etc. To cut it down to 200, you'd have to eliminate some qualifiers, and not allow any "buy-in" teams. That would mean some teams would never get to Champs; the current structure was designed so that every HS student would be eligible to go to Champs sometime in a 4-year FIRST career.
And, in the thread Andy Baker started with old videos, I believe I heard one statement of 74 teams at Disney. That's a far cry from 200. |
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Has any one ever been to the DC convention center? If you have you will know that the thing is HUGE. If FIRST were to rent the whole thing out there would definetly be enough space. It also is right on the DC metro, which seemed to boggle a group of tourists i saw trying to go in through the out gate. Did i mention how it would also be in the nations capital? the only downside to having nationals there would be that Dulles(the main airport) is far away, but maybe once the metro is extended to it this will be a plausible site.Also i would wait and see how the DC regional goes this year.
Also, most cities that have hosted the Olympics seem suitable for the championships (ie they have lots of hotels, a big stadium and a transport system of some sort). so maybe there could be one in LA or Chicago(after the 2016 olympics) |
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You might be able to at the current site of the L.A. Regional, but a lot of airlines don't fly into the nearest airport, meaning that you have to add at least an hour's travel time. The only other option would be Staples Center and the L.A. Convention Center, but the odds of getting the former are slim. L.A.'s transport system, the Metro, is not exactly convenient. |
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There are lots of downtown hotels (with more being constructed) within easy walking distance, much closer than in ATL. After party could be in Military park, big Friday social could be at the Indy Zoo. Brand new airport terminal served by all major airlines, even some that Atlanta doesn't get (for Southwest lovers like me.) That means constantly cheep flights. In fact many people drive from Cincy to Indy to get the cheaper fairs. The only thing that Indy is lacking is public transportation from the airport to downtown but that could be overcome. |
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I love this discussion every time it comes up. And it seems to come up 3 to 4 times per year. There are specific requirements that come up that generally have to be met, but that wasn't the point I wanted to make today.
Are thier places that could compete with Atlanta? Yes. Are those places that offer FIRST a substantial advantage to move? But substantial I mean significant new capabilities, more/better space (at the same cost), the existing capabilities at much lower cost? Given the size of championship and what it takes to put it together, FIRST has invested a lot of social capital in Atlanta. They know the area, they know the service providers, they have relationships with the organizations in the community. From thier standpoint, there is significant risk to move versus maintaining status quo. Plus you have little thinks that make life easier for those planning the event (and trust me it take a momumental effort to plan that event). It easier to take an existing floor plan and tweak it (say for the pits) then to develop a new one from scratch. Things like that. A new location could be interesting, but currently I don't see the drivers being strong enough to push FIRST in that direction. As for Canada... Or anyplace else north of say Chicago... How about someplace where it won't snow during the event? ;) |
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Ah yes because FIRST is never willing to put all of the comfort of something good, past relationships to the wind to go for something more expensive and unknown risking their status quo.....cough cough control system cough cough |
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Im not sure I understand where you are coming from here. Atlanta isnt even close to the middle of the country. Do you mean the middle of the FIRST community? Joey |
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From my viewpoint, there are two possible ways to look at the future of the championship.
1. Current or similar structure = domed stadium which limits you to only a few places in the country. As far as investing social capital to get this done, Indy seems like the only other viable possibility in the near future to compete with Atlanta. 2. Look differently at the event in terms of number of teams to attend and number/how other FIRST programs are involved. If this is a possibility, I'd love to see an earnest effort made toward Disney again. It was, as Madison said, very special. And, more importantly for me, I sold my wife on FIRST in 2002 based on, "Hey look at it this way. We might have an option to take the kids to Disney every year." Oops, I guess I spoke too fast on that one ;) |
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OR!!!!
WE STAY AT THE GEORGIA DOME!!!!! |
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maybe the Sun Dome in Tampa? Or what about the Super Dome in New Orleans, I'm sure they would love the tourism to help rebuild. I went to NO last summer and it was very nice (as long as you kept out of the areas that where hardest hit by Katrina). Sure NO isn't the most HS student friendly city. But it's a pretty city (again as long as you kept away from the hard hit areas, I accidentally drove into the lower 9th and it was really bad).
But also I think that somewhere in Cali would be nice, like MacAfee Stadium (go RAIDERS). Since they always have to come to the east coast. |
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Since this discussion is starting up again, I feel the need to summarize what I gathered from the last one
In order to hold championship in city we need:
And we figured there are only 3 cities met this criteria
Are there any other cities we can think of to add to this list? |
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OR the Tundra up in Green Bay, might be a little cold, but if we ever had an ice game it would be perfect =P
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FIRST got a very sweet deal when they moved the championship to ATL but sometimes sweet things can sour, relationships get old and things get taken for granted. So you start getting a wandering eye looking for a better deal from others. Maybe that deal will be better and pull you away or maybe your current sweetheart will come to their senses and remember why they courted you in the first place. Either way FIRST wins. |
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The challenge -- and certainly not something that cannot be overcome -- is in accomodating the FLL and FTC events that are held concurrently with the FRC Championship. Those programs were not represented in Walt Disney World, to my knowledge. FTC, of course, didn't exist, but FLL may have had a small presence. |
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The Championship is now bigger, with a full FLL event and full FTC event. I don't foresee returning to tents. |
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just throwing this out there:
FIRST should invest a whole bunch of money and build their own megacomplex that doubles as a FIRST college for people who want to be engineers or scientists. |
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The relatively new (opened fall 2006) University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ is the only domed football stadium in the West. It has enough internal space for pits (no need for convention center adjacent to stadium). There are a few motels within a mile away, with more likely to be built in the next couple of years. Yet, I don't think Arizona is a realistic venue. It's too far away for the eastern teams and FIRST definitely has deep roots in the east. (We west coast teams just love the three-hour time difference and five-hour flights endured for the Championship in Atlanta).;) |
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MacAfee field is closer to San Fransisco and Oakland has really cleaned up, not to say there aren't bad areas. But MacAfee is right off the freeway outside of San Fransisco. It was more of a joke idea anyways, cause I'm a Raiders fan. |
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Reality Right Now: The St. Louis Regional has a new venue for 2009. It is located in the city of St. Louis on the campus of St. Louis University. Dream For The Future: A FIRST Championship event in St. Louis would be cool. There are a bunch of hotels and restaurants, the City Museum, the Cardinals, the Arch, and several other entertainment options all within an easy walk of the Dome/Convention center. |
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Now if you have some constructive criticism (and not just criticism) we'll be glad to hear it and discuss it. Back on topic: Both Indy and St.Louis would be good alternatives to Atlanta, but, to be honest, unless there is a compelling reason to leave Atlanta, why would FIRST leave? |
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Sure there are plenty of obstacles keeping this from happening, but I do think it's in the realm of possibilities. /Aside Quote:
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The USF Sun Dome is the location of TNT and the local schools' graduation, and it fits that, but for 400 teams you can't even fit the pits in there. The one at UCF (still the Sun Dome) is the location of the FL regional, and again it is fit for that, and maybe the pits for the Championship, but not the whole event. |
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I am the last person who would want to quiet anyones voice. My post was meant as an appeal to keep criticism to constructive criticism. It is easy to point out all that is (precieved as) wrong in the world, but very difficult to come up with the proper answers. All I ask is that when you criticise, please do so with a constructive alternative. |
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Mars.
... Anyone? Oh well, maybe we'll have to shoot for that in 2011. Really though, I think Atlanta seems like the perfect setup for the Championship. The only way it could get better is if maybe someone built a FIRST Dome somewhere *nudge nudge, hint hint, wink wink* |
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I ride the LYNX bus system to work and school EVERYDAY (my eyesight doesn't allow me to drive and i got a free bus pass) and believe me, their nowhere near reliable. If the Greater orlando area was to get a commuter rail. then it would be possible. I think Universal could pull off the event as well. the have enough space to pull off the event. plus I-Drive is near by, and if im correct. UCF students get 50% off.... many other wasy to get discounts at Universal, many more than disney...plus, i think it's a more grown-up place than disney...but thats a local's opinion. Quote:
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If the dream of a Toronto Championship is to happen, it would have to be downtown. |
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Universal studios in Orlando can handle us and there more teen friendly. I have been In there sound stages, there def. big enough.
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Instead of looking for roofed stadiums for the fields with nearby convention space for pits, look for idle movie studio space. The stands would have to be brought in for the event, but Disney managed that fine for years. |
Atlanta Is Scheduled For 2009 & 2010 Championship's
Atlanta has been scheduled for the Championship event in 2010 Apr 14-17 at least as far back as April, 2008.
There have been several other threads on this discussion in the past few years. |
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I just do not get it. Why would first make another deal to put teams in a place they do not want to be? :confused:
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[quote=dtengineering;770012]About as likely as the World Series being held in Canada or the America's Cup being hosted by Switzerland.
Lets go BLUE JAYS winner of back to back World Series held in Toronto. |
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Mark my words...
Indianapolis, IN |
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i mean this place is massive! |
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Joesey yo!
kidding aside, I'd love to have it in Indiana. Its like the heartland of FIRST. |
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The option was up, there was nothing immediately in the works, it made sense for them to sign. Until FIRST issues an official request for proposals, don't expect much to change. |
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Someone should do a calculation on what exact location would be the LEAST amount of total travel distance for ALL the teams participating this year at Championship. I'd bet its somewhere near Indy.
If we can get about 1000 asian teams to participate, then maybe it would move to Hawaii. :D |
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Toronto would be perfect customs would not be fun
and seeing as most teams walk form there hotel to the event and then to dinner if it was cold it would really not be fun |
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wow- a trip to Indy in April -late spring snowstorms, cold, rain- what a treat I'd prefer Orlando where we used to have it. It was warm, nice and kid oriented. |
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If weather is to be a concern; Anaheim, Phoenix, Orlando, New Orleans, Dallas/Houston could be possible options as some have mentioned in this post or others.
And as a side note, I would prefer not to go to Atlanta. |
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Weather should be a concern. As far as location I love Atlanta, however I admit bias we are only a few hours drive away. However I can comment on the three venues that I have attended the Championships. Epcot Center parking lot was great. It was held in air condidtioned tents that were close to pits and a large outdoor space that was open to the weather for the Einstien field. There were plenty of ways to get there bus, monorail or car. Houston Texas was the second one I attended. And I went by bus with the team. In my opinion it was held there only one year because it was very unsafe to load the pit area. They had an extremly long and steep ramp that led down to the floor of the pits. Not to mention the walk between the pits and the stadium for robots was a series of winding uphill ramps that were difficult to navigate going both ways. Getting there by bus or car was easy too. And Atlanta which everyone knows but not everyone loves. Atlanta is great except for the traffic it has plenty of room for the teams and is an easy walk between field and pits. Not to mention it is inside as well. Between the three I would like to see them pull off a Epcot Center type deal again or get a venue that is "Atlantaesque."
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I say Indy though becase they are courting FIRST, and knowing FIRST's somewhat passive nature, they will go with them. I was in Indy this past summer for GAC and had lots of fun. There is a great shopping area, a GameWorks, several large hotels, lots of cheap/well priced food, and for those my age, bars. I have a good feeling FIRST will not be going back to Atlanta mainly due to the crime in the area. My sister saw a guy get shot in Centenial Park. |
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1319 has to traveled to Indiana for the Boilermaker regional twice. The people running that event were great. Indiana was great and if there is an "Atlantaesque" venue then I am sure 1319 would attend if possible. As far as crime goes sadly that is everywhere and I don't think FIRST can do much about that. Other then keeping the youngens off the street building robots!
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I think if it was up to the students, they would pick Orlando/Disney World in a heartbeat! ;)
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I think Atlanta is a great venue, but the city leaves a lot to be desired. There's not really anything for the kids to do after the event, as everything closes early (the mall, the CNN center, etc) I've never had the concerns about safety that other people have. I've never felt any less safe in Atlanta than I have in San Francisco, San Jose, New York, LA, or any other major city. The problem is Disney was too perfect for the teams. If we had never gone to Disney and we had been in Atlanta all this time, we probably wouldn't be enjoying it any more than we do now, but we wouldn't have anything better to compare it to. |
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San diego chargers stadium. would be awsome to go there and see their team lol. (san diego fan so yea)
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I know this thread is for mentioning serious suggestions (whether FIRST sees them or not) but I'd like to throw Cleveland in.
Only issue we would have is weather. It's very unpredictable. Otherwise, it's no less an option than some of the others posted here, sans Disney. You can't beat Disney. We just had a $200-million renovation of a major street (Euclid Avenue), including downtown Cleveland itself. We've got the Cleveland Convention Center, with multiple hotels in the immediate area, some within walking distance, others on the public transportation route. It's near the lake, has a large indoor shopping center (in walking distance), Gund Arena (I refuse to change!), Jacob's Field (Never!), the Brown's Stadium (nobody wants to touch it, lol), AND, The Great Lakes Science Center. Actually, after typing this up, it doesn't seem like that bad of an idea... |
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I'm a bag fan of having it at Indy. Just look at all the spectators that IRI draws. I think more teams would be able to come and watch even if they cn't compete in the Championship. Plus Indy doesn't have as big of a homeless problem as Atlanta.
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I know the cd world lives and dies in the midwest. But the champs in indy is a bad idea. Plane tickets alone would be 4 times what they are now. In fact there would not be enough seats on planes to get teams to indy for the champs. example are for flights on 15th wed apr 2009 nonstop flights
from and to- total seat for the day ewr to ind 314 ewr to mco 1537 from cal 750 from jet blue ewr to alt 744 for cal 1754 from delta 685 from airtran If first went to indy then unless you drove you are not going to champs. I have been working in the airline industry for 8 year now there are not enough seats. |
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I fly out of Indy often and get reasonable rates. Within the past year, I have had these rates: Indy to Manchester, round trip (1 layover): $180 Indy to Miami, round trip (1 layover): $190 Indy to Vegas, round trip (direct): $200 Also, if anyone flies in and out of Indy now, they will notice a brand new airport. Not a remodeled airport... a new airport that just opened last week. Indy hosts the NCAA final four every 3-4 years. Indy hosts the largest single-day sporting event in the world each year (Indy 500, where 300,000 people attend). Indy will host the NFL Super Bowl in 2012. If the passenger volumes of incoming and outgoing flights from IND can handle those events, they can handle the FIRST Championships. Andy B. |
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For what it's worth to others, EWR is Newark (or Liberty...) International Airport and MCO is McCoy Orlando International Airport. |
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Guys we can suggest all we wish but the fact is that FIRST finds Atlanta suitable and convenient and I have heard no inklings of them having the desire to move anywhere else. They have a set procedure with Atlanta, they know all the logistical issues and frankly, I doubt if the management really cares what we want as long at the event comes off smoothly.
Has anyone checked the Georgia Dome booking calendar to see if 2010 is already booked? Anyone who experienced FIRST at Disney Epcot will tell you that that was THE place to hold it. The reasons are too numerous to go into. I dont accept the "we outgrew it" excuse- the numbers just dont add up. There are other issues that led us away from there we are not privvy to I'm sure. If FIRST and Disney really wanted us there a way would be found to hold the event. But for now Atlanta is convenient and an easier arrangement. So we live with it. At least it is relatively warm in Atlanta in April. WC :cool: Addendum: the FIRST Championships will be held in Atlanta 04/14/10 - 04/17/10 as stated in the GWCC calendar. See you there.....? |
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I personally prefer Atlanta to Disney, and I know I'm not the only one. Maybe YOU prefer Disney, but please stop speaking for the rest of us... -John |
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Andy B. |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
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Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
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I'd vote for Indy (or St. Louis :) ) if the Championship needs to move, but I think Atlanta is an excellent home if it can stay there. |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
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For a few days' vacation, Disney World probably wins over Atlanta. For a relatively small FRC event, it might even be preferred. But for a FIRST world championship with hundreds of FRC teams and all the FLL and FTC and conferences and everything? The outdoor stands and open stage and tents in the EPCOT parking lot don't hold a candle to the Georgia Dome and the Georgia World Congress Center. It's possible that the inconveniences of Houston in comparison might be giving some people a better memory of Disney than it really deserves. |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
I have enjoyed my times in Atlanta and Houston, but there is nothing that compares to sitting in the stadium at Disney on a beautiful clear Friday morning waiting for the start of the opening ceremony. It just felt special to be there.
I don't really expect people to understand, unless they have been there, but there is no better location on the planet for the Championship. It was truly a special time to be a part of FIRST. |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
For my money and vacation time, I require a mean temperature threshold of 60 degrees. The rest can be worked with.
Moving CMP to a cold-weather location in April will just mean skipping CMP and going somewhere that is competitive and does meet that threshold - Florida and Silicon Valley have done nicely in filling this void for many frozen New Englanders. CMP is nice, but not the be-all end-all. |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
It will be interesting as FIRST develops and grows down through time, say 10 years from now, 20 years from now - how changes will impact locations, memories, and dreams. With the promise of FIRST developing teams in New Zealand, that would be a dream of mine, personally. It isn't realistic in 2008 but nothing like a long-range dream to put a smile on the face.
We can look forward and we can look back. We can look sideways and we can look up. And we can do this together, as community. The importance of having the FIRST events together to celebrate their accomplishments each year and to spend time together with teams all over the world, is no small thing. It is a competition event/venue - yes, and it is also a celebration. Possibilities for dreaming and for working towards realistic goals are part of the make-up of a FIRST team. That can be expanded into FIRST communities working to find ways to host regionals or even the Championship, if the possibilities arise. When we hold on to our own preconceived notions and biases too tightly, we can stifle growth and development. That isn't always necessary or healthy. |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
Wherever the locations in the future might be, we all know it will be based on:
1. Cost for FIRST 2. Venue size and how it can accomodate having the event 3. Cost for teams to attend Its too bad, no matter where it is held, #3 for us is the killer. I've never been to Houston, but did go to DisneyWorld and Atlanta. If you ask me, either place is fine. Both have pros and cons as to why we should or shouldn't have it there. But if you ask my students, they choose DisneyWorld hands down. Ultimately for our team, our students have a big say in where we attend. Its not about me, its about the team. Personally, a nice air-conditioned building and nice hotel to rest after the day is over, is good enough for me. :D |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
Having been involved with FIRST since the early days, and having survived all the CMP venues, Disney is still the best experience.
One of the things that I have noticed since we left Disney is how rushed things are today. At Disney teams and FIRST staff all planned on spending at least an extra day enjoying everything that Disney has to offer. A lot of friendships were made and built upon at the pool at various Disney hotels. One of my best memories of FIRST was being at the restaurant at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and watching some FIRST Directors (Snowman & Bob) riding around the restaurant on broomstick horses, yelping like children, and waving kid's sized cowboy hats. We all have our memories of each venue, both good and bad. But the excitement of having the CMP at Disney (IMHO) is not the same as it is today. And I have to agree with Jessica, it needs to be warm for all us Yankee's! |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
I like the thought of the:
Orlando Convention Center New Orleans Convention Center and Super Dome Indianapolis (a bit cold in April though and chance of late-season blizzard) Atlanta World Conference Center. Kansas City has a pretty large convention center too. (25 years ago...) Someone should start a poll.... |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
So i've never been to EPCOT, nor WDW, nor any other FIRST event minus championships and GLR last year, so i'd like to throw the idea of FIRST building their own place. in order to not have to rebuild it in less than 5 years, it would not just have to contain the 400+ FRC teams, FLL teams and FTC teams, but it would [eventually][probably] have to contain 750 teams at some point at least and most likely 3 or 4 times the number of FLL/FTC. the only way to not have this massive number of teams would be to completely reorganize the regional structure, and any changes in that [as i believe Andy said] would mean there would be MANY MANY teams that never go to atlanta. there are some that haven't been now but they have more opportunities to go than if the team limit is strictly 400 while the number of teams has grown [this year alone] by 600 [if i remember correctly]. FIRST is supposed to be about learning/education and not about going to championships... but how are you going to keep companies funding and students/mentors interested if they don't even get a snowball's chance in Equador of an opportunity to go? For now, Atlanta is fine. but always think of the future
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Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
I just wanted to add and emphasize that cost for teams are so important, especially since its involves 10 countries now.
I still havent booked our trip to Atlanta yet as we are waiting for the cost to drop from the 1000+ per person I am being quoted now. Multiply that by 30 people and you get some serious fundraising and sponsorship that needs to happen. Last year, we paid 700 per person. Not an airlines expert, but whatever the logistics or events that need to take place in order to get a cheaper fair, we are all for it, versus where it is held. |
Re: Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship
A lot would be involved in getting their own place, along with what to do with the building/area for the other 360+ days of the year.
They'd need to be near a major airport. Near loads of hotels. Major public transportation available. And I'm sure most teams would prefer something fun/exciting in the area to do in between off days. But I would love to see them [eventually] have their own place. Maybe that could enable them to host other things throughout the year or something. And before somebody shoots down the idea, who would've thought that FIRST would be as big as it is now? |
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