[Andy Baker]

Some random thoughts on this:

1. $$$$$
The cost of attending Championships at Disney World was high. However, from what I heard, the price was going to be increased dramatically in the 2003 season, hence the move to Houston.

2. Facility
Attending Championships at Disney World was fun and safe. Hotels were excellent and the entertainment was stellar. However, the competition facilities were both temporary and expensive. It was frustrating to not be able to see matches on the main stage and have little seating room on the auxilliary field. With regard to simply looking at the competition side of things, I prefer competing in a dome or stadium.

3. Fun
I miss Disney World. My kids and wife miss going there also. However, realizing that it would cost WAAAAAY more than our last 3 years of attending championships, I still prefer having the FIRST Championships not at WDW for FIRST teams.

4. Location
Having the Championships at a central location is important. This saves more money for more teams if they don't have to fly. Also, I disagree with Wayne's requirement that the Championship must be above the Mason/Dixon line. Weather in late April isn't much different in Detroit, Indy or Atlanta (this is a generalization, and just an opinion... someone may prove me wrong here). Florida would be hotter, but these 3 cities would be approximately the same temp, from what I can tell. If the date was Feb. or March, I would agree with Wayne. April is different.

5. Spectators
We were always amazed at the lack of spectators FIRST would bring in from the Disney parks when it was located there. WDW did a poor job of advertizing the event, and people did not take the time to leave the park and come into the tent city of FIRST. A few people did make this trip, but not as many as might be expected. Having the Championships at WDW did not add spectators (except people who were on FIRST teams to only go to WDW).

The Championships needs to be in a city where FIRST takes over for the weekend. There is a fine line between the city being too big where the FIRST Championships would not make an impact and a city being too small to not be able to host the Championships. Imo, FIRST did not take over Atlanta. Unless you talked to a FIRST team member, were in the convention center or Georgia Dome, you would not know that there was a robotics event in the dome. Yes, there was some media coverage (both on the local news and the local newspaper), but there could've been more attention to FIRST robots in Atlanta.

Indianapolis is the right size for the Championships, and we would "take over" downtown for the weekend. Signs would be up. Hotel and restaurant people would know about robots and FIRST.

It could be a dream:
Waitresses would be asking how you did during qualification matches. Policemen would be wanting to know if you used PID control for your arm motion. Cabbies would be looking over your top 20 picks after your Friday night strategy session. Hotel busboys will be telling you that although team 131 was 2-3 during today's qualification matches, they had bad luck and should be a top pick. The Gondola driver on Canal Walk will help you scrutinize your Chairman's presentation. The Indianapolis Indians will have "FIRST Robotics Day" at Victory Field, and the new WFA winner would throw out the first pitch. Payton Manning and Jermaine O'Neil would be working as field resetters on Einstein. Tony George would be checking robot tires for traction, asking what teams used.
It will be a great thing.

Andy B.