I worked on the Sacramento Regional Planning Committee this year, and yes $125,000 is an absolute bare minimum, some very successful regionals operate on a budget closer to $200,000 (just look at those regionals with team socials and lots of AV production). Examples of costs
MIGHT BE: Venue fee ($25,000-$75,000), AV Production ($40,000-$80,000), Catering ($7,500 - $15,000), Local Services and Personnel ($10,000 - $20,000), Equipment Rentals ($7,500 - $15,000), Signage and Promotional Items ($2,500-$5,000), Administrative and Support Costs ($30,000-$50,000). Of course - how this translates to Euro's, I don't know. Plus also factor in additional support costs to help with different languages and long distance support and shipping. I imagine FIRST would need a small HQ in Europe to provide efficient and effective support.
But to develop sponsorships for a Europe Regional, you must go through FIRST first! They have sponsorship levels that start at $5000 and go up to >$100,000. Those packages includes certain items like speaking opportunities, judging, and of course signage. So before you start taking checks on behalf of FIRST - get in touch with them as soon as the Championships conclude. They have a regional directors meeting in May I believe, make sure you get your comments through to Bob Hammond by then.
http://www.usfirst.org/about/contactus.htm
I don't think it's too late to get something started for 2006, but they would have to line up a venue and take care of some serious logistics issues by summer time. Perhaps if we knew more about the experiences in the Isreal Regional to gauge the viability of FIRST competitions overseas.
A dedicated planning committee is a must. You need a dozen or so professionals to help keeps things on track and to ensure it has the local flavor to make it special. A good regional also needs to have sponsorships that are long lasting relationships to ensure the regional continues. A regional started in Sacramento in 2003, because a major funder was going to move some business to that area and sponsored the competition outright that first year. Unfortunately in 2004, the funder pulled the plug, and we've been scrambling to find and build relationships with local businesses ever since. Unfortunately that takes years to do. Having many different sponsors, will help the regional survive for the long haul.
Keep up the energy, and I'm sure we'll see some FIRST comps overseas in the near future.