Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

I say the Orlando Convention Center would work amazingly, but youd have those bleachers like they had in the pits this year for all the seating, unlike an arena seating.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

Oklahoma City Arena is used by the Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA would have playoffs going on during late April, so you couldn't reserve their arena.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

And looking at the renovations that are taking place, it is bound to be a wonderful contribution to Detroit!

But as those before me said, the Joe holds the Wings (who won tonight!), and the arena attached only has 12k seats.

Though, logistically, it would be a great location for CMP looking at team concentration.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

Most Canadian team would love such a short commute...

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

It would be nice :)

It would be an even shorter trip if they moved to the Metro Convention Centre and Rogers Centre (Skydome) in Toronto :D Only trouble is the Jays play there.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

3 blocks is an awfully long trip between the pits and the field... :rolleyes:

If you moved the Championship event back to the Atlanta time-frame, it would be very possible. The NBA playoffs started on 4/17 this year. The Championships in Atlanta would typically end no later than the 19th. Given that not every NBA series starts on the same day, it could be possible to work around the NBA schedule (agreeing never to have the Championship end later than the 18th).
The NHL playoffs start a week or two before the NBA playoffs, usually. That makes any NHL-related stadiums near impossible to book.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

Ah....but still shorter than Atlanta. :D

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

While I can see why a lot of people would wish to have the Champs in Detroit (or other east coast locations) due to the location of many teams, I feel it would actually hurt FIRST by doing so.

I participated with FIRST in Detroit (Team 217), Florida (Team 386) and now LA (Team 294). I've been to the champs in Disney, Atlanta and now St Louis. So I've seen how a region and teams are affected by the location of events.

Having the champs in Detroit or similar would only further promote FIRST in relatively saturated regions that "get it" already. I feel there is a larger potential for FIRST growth further west and am glad to see champs in St Louis.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

I think a lot fewer people watch Einstein than a lot of people think.

The Edward Jones dome capacity is 66,965, which is close enough to 67000.

If every seat was full from the Newton field to the Curie filed (50 yard line to 50 yard line), that would be 33,500. There was basically no one sitting around the corners (i.e. on the sidelines of the football field), which means maybe half of the 33,500 was being used. That puts an upper limit on the spectators at 16,750. I also don't think that the upper deck was nearly 100% full, which reduces that number further.

I would put a high estimate at 15,000 people watching Einstein from the seats, so a 20,000+ seat arena should be plenty.

(BTW, sorry for derailing your thread, Bryan.)

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

Also with 360 teams on average having 40 supporters, I still only get to 14,400. I understand that others from FTC and FLL will also be there, but I agree with Chris that 20K is probably a soild upper end estimate.

What was on the Back-side of Einstein? I would think there might be an excellent spot to put the 12 teams actually in einstein in bleachers on either side. This would likely free up a lot of "saved" room in the middle.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

It looked like A/V equipment and a lot of storage. Overall, there was a lot less empty space then at the Georgia Dome.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

I would say Reliant Stadium, Reliant Arena, and the Reliant Astrodome (In Houston) would be much closer and could accommodate more people.

They have done CMPS at the Stadium/Dome combo before, and our regional competitions used to be at the Arena.

I think it is doable. Especially since both venues are HUGE.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

Wings haven't missed the playoffs since FIRST was founded, I can't imagine the Arena is going to book anything during playoffs until they are definitely out.

NHL/NBA playoffs knock out the majority of large capacity Basketball and Hockey venues.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

I'm not sure exactly why, but Championship 2003 (the first and only year it was held in Houston, TX), was an absolute catastrophe. I remember hearing something about 'bumps'.

As for SkyDome/MTCC in Toronto, It would be awesome, and doable, however, I seriously doubt they'll ever hold championships outside of the continental US, if only because it simplifies travel plans for the majority of teams.

Re: Einstein seating: possible solution
 

Any one know if these suites are used to entertain VIPs? There has been no shortage of VIPs at FIRST events, FIRST brings in some big name execs to champs to gather support and sponsorships, these people are used to a certain standard of reception and I would be surprised if that isn't what the suites are used for. I know some one will argue that teams should get seating priority and FIRST should not reduce their experience to raise the experience for a few but I think it is obviously necessary to provided a great experience to VIPs.