[Wayne C.]

Here are some good and bad impressions-

good- diversity of foods were available at the stadium
bad- the price still was pretty poor- $8 got you a soda and fries....
solution- instead of FIRST requiring the purchase of meal ticket plans where the tix were essentially worh a buck why not just publicize the prices at the venue and let people pay cash? It was especially cheap for the vendors to refuse to give change for the vouchers, thus jacking up their prices even more

good- the view of the fields and such from the stands at the stadium
bad- the poor handling of the open ceremonies and parade from the view of the fields on the opposite side of the stadium
solution- make sure that the events on the main stage are aired on the big screen for all the fields. Why this wasn't done is beyond me but it was surreal to hear a big commotion and see crowds of little kids in the distance marching towards some horizon. Kind of made the Newton field seem unimportant....

good- the Omni hotel- the place was beautiful and rooms were nice
bad- why do the hotels at all these FIRST events insist on breaking up teams to rooms all over the building?
solution- since the hotel gives THS blocks of rooms they should give clusters of rooms to the teams. Unless they prefer to have teens all over their building unsupervised?


good- the closing party. The hypnotist was great and the fireworks were a real spectacle amongst the big buildings and reflective surfaces. The BBQ was also pretty good and the food service was well planned
bad- I think the moon walk mardi gras was probably better suited to younger kids and it didn't seem like many kids were using them
solution- How about a name act like Blue Man Group for next year?


good- the Georgia Dome Complex- it was huge and big enough to bring 600 teams to the nationals.... hint hint
bad- signage and locations of things- while working in the info booth it seemed that the same questions were being asked over and over and this was simply because no coherent signage was visible.


good- MARTA- I was shocked to realize that my entire team got to the venue and back without a hitch
bad- the venue crowd control- when 5000 people are trying to exit and there are only three turnstyle doors you open the ten other doors right next to them so people can get out. Some folks need a bit more common sense...

Overall my team found the event the best Nationals since Disney.We had a great time and the team really grew from the experience. Of course we still want to go back to Epcot but Atlanta was the next best thing.

WC