Thread: newbie
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Unread 28-01-2012, 15:38
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Re: newbie

How many buttons you print depends on the kind of regional you go to. If it's a regional where siblings, kids, and other people show up, you'll need more buttons. If it's a regional with lots of crazy (I use the word affectionately) button collecting teenagers who must get every button, you'll need more buttons.

We've been to the Autodesk Oregon Regional, and the Olympic Seattle Regional. We tend to make 300-500 buttons, and run out every time. When you think about the math that's actually not too unreasonable. These events have 50+ teams, and 10-20 students per team. I'd suggest checking on the FIRST site to see how many teams are at your regional event. (and here's a handy link)

We also use the buttons as promotional materials when visiting elementary schools and the like, and have given out a few hundred in that capacity.

This massive button consumption is made reasonable by the fact that a few years ago our team invested in a button press. It was an expensive decision that's definitely not for every team, but these days we buy the button making materials 5,000 at a time for 9 cents a button.

Other things that impact how many buttons you use will be if the button has a funny/interesting quote or a cool design. Many teens actively seek out the "cool" buttons when they see a friend has one. If you have more than one button design, you can also expect many people to take both.

If you use the same design every year (we do not), you'll need less as time goes on.

The standard size is 2 1/4", although some use smaller and some use bigger.

With all of that said, since I've put way too much thought into buttons of all things, a hundred or so should do you fine for your first year. (Also, it's not a big deal if you run out, and you'll know how to gauge it for the following year.)

Since this is your first year I should mention spirit wise, many teams have a Team Flag that they give to the announcer to wave before every match. If you have extra time after Bag&Tag day, this could be a side project.

Thursday afternoon our team goes out in groups to the area surrounding our hotel to eat at McDonalds, Denny's, etc. Whatever's in walking distance. (Know the area around your hotel beforehand! Be safe, stay in groups, and be back before it gets dark!) Afterwards we head back to the hotel, if there's a swimming pool the team does that. If not they chill, get settled in, and try to sleep.
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2008, 2009 - Team 1432, Mars Metal Beavers, Team Spirit : Oregon Regional
2010 - Team 2865, Roboteknix, Head Scout and Awards : Oregon Regional and Championships
2011 - Team 2865, Roboteknix, Rules Master : Seattle Olympic Regional
2012 - Team 2865, Roboteknix, Team Captain : Spokane Regional
2013 - Unaffiliated : Volunteer for Spokane Regional
2015 - Unaffiliated : Volunteer for Kickoff & West Valley Regional

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