[Al Skierkiewicz]

What you really want to do is get an audience that cries for more. You are more likely to get that with an ESPN special or Discovery maybe even History channel. But I will tell you right now, they want it for free or as close as they can get it. We (as an international group) must get better attendance at events. We have to beat the bushes and get as many people as possible to competitions. Networks view us as special interest groups so we must compete with dog shows, outdoors shows, antique shows, etc., just to get an audience. Once you have an audience you still must get sponsors who see a value in the audience demographics that you attract.
I see a huge potential in the regional events and post season being able to attract more non-FIRST fans. It may mean that these events would have side attractions to get more audience. Things like a parts flea market (aka Ham fest, computer show) or a showplace for non competition robots or science fair. Ultimately, a sponsor could be attracted to the crowds who attend the competition. Think what it would have been like if we had filled the Reliant Center to the rafters.