[MattRain]

Originally Posted by Foster

[budget discussions]
.... <snip>
[/budget]

I think we all agree that the FIRST programs are not the low cost budget programs.

And FIRST event budgets have been beat to death in other places. (There should really be a FAQ post about how the money flows with registration, KoP, District fees, who really pays for DCMP and Regionals, etc.)

What's missing is Kate7351's point is that the FTC roboteers work hard and that when the get to Worlds they don't feel special. FIRST pushes hard on FLL to make it the premier program for younger roboteers. There isn't a roboteer family or a want to be roboteer that does not know about FLL.

Likewise for FRC. FIRST markets this program and we all love FRC even though it's expensive. They have been marketing FTC as a low cost way to "do FIRST robotics" and it's all kissy kissy. But at Worlds not so much love according to Kate7351.

Kate7351 is trying to raise awareness so that at 1/2 Champs 2017 FIRST raises the visibility of FTC. Kate7351 doesn't want a 1/2 baked effort in 2016 to be 1/2 baked next year. (And for you fractions fans that will be 1/4 baked).

So it's not about budgets and "dollars per roboteers inspired". It's about celebrating the roboteers you have now. These roboteers are FRC's pipeline.

Kate7351 has given the heads up. Pay attention, or I'll be hanging out with kate7351 at the 2018 VEX worlds.

Well said!