[Tom Line]

I can't say that I agree with discussing incidents that occurred and naming names like you did, but what's done is done.

I think Jane made the best point in this entire thread - the spirit of first is to acknowledge that bad things happen, and decide you want to make them better.

Make a list of every single thing that went wrong at that regional. Work back to the root cause of each, and then write a letter to first and to the regional organizers suggesting solutions.

Some things I can come up with off the top of my head:

1. Have the teams come out a day in advance with their robots, take them to the field, and work through the communications issues with them.

2. Hold the event in a school gymnasium or other venue that will give you and extra day or two should you need it.

3. Annouce ahead of time that this is FIRST, and political / religious / other affiliations should be left at the door in the spirit of gracious professionalism.

I can't understand the call for more security at a FIRST event. What an incredibly different atmosphere you must be working in that what we have over here in the States.