[Joe Johnson]

Hi all,

I just want to encourage folks to attend the FIRST kickoff in Novi.

The current limits are 20 folks per team, but there is a very good chance that the limit be increased soon to allow your whole team to attend.

Even more than that, we now have in place a very good series of seminars and round table discussions to be held immediately following the unveiling of the 2002 game.
They are going to be worth sticking around for. We have something for Rookies and Veterans and everyone in between.

The seminars will be taught by folks like Jim Zontag of the Killer Bees (#33), Mike Grey of the HOT team (#67), Norm Peralta & (Woodie Flowers Award Winner) Ken Patton of the Huskie Brigade (#65) and others including, yours truly, Dr. Joe .

We have outside experts helping out as well. We have some pro's coming in to teach Animation and Inventor as well as Dave Johnson from SMC giving his now famous FIRST Pneumatics Seminar.

We will also have round table discussions with many expert panelists helping to lead the discussion.

The Chairman's Award Panel is especially impressive. We have Dr. Barbara Sanders from Delphi and Ian McEwan , retired from GM. These two have not only seen Chairman's Award caliber teams from the inside but are both seasoned FIRST judges. AND in case that was not enough, these two played a major role in re-organization of the Chairman's Award that FIRST has recently roled out on their website. This round table alone is worth the price of admission for any team serious about their Chairman's Award efforts.

Come one, Come All.

The final Schedule is still being worked out, but believe me, you and your team want to be in the Novi Expo Center on Jan. 5th, 2002.

See you there!

Joe J.