**FIRST EMAIL**/Welcome 2005 FRC Championship Teams!

[Andy Brockway]

Greetings FRC Championship Teams!

The upcoming FIRST Championship, April 21-23, promises to be the biggest FIRST event ever, as representatives from the entire FIRST community come together at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. In addition to hosting 340 teams for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Championship and 75 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams for the FLL World Festival, we welcome 52 teams participating in the FIRST Vex Challenge. That's over 8,500 students and 4,600 mentors celebrating their accomplishments and experiencing the thrill of science and technology.

In addition to the competition rounds, the event will feature:
Exciting ceremonies with several great presenters including Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers, and a three program International Robot Parade
Hall of Fame display of previous FRC Chairmans Award teams
Scholarship Row
Commemorative FIRST merchandise available for purchase
Create and Amaze: Real Life Applications of Robots Team Social sponsored by RadioShack on Friday night
And a spectacular FIRST Wrap Celebration on Saturday night in Centennial Olympic Park
Before you pack your bags, please read below for further details. We recommend you print a copy of this to both read (it is long!) and bring with you. Please share pertinent information with your team, family, and friends.

See you in Atlanta!

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AGENDAS

Please click on http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005...eam_Agenda.pdf for a detailed Team Agenda.

An updated Public Agenda covering all three programs is also available at http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005...lic_Agenda.pdf


LOCATION INFORMATION

For a Campus and Parking map of the Georgia World Conference Center (GWCC) go to http://www.gwcc.com/images/gwccmap.pdf

Directions and additional site information are available at http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005...ampionship.pdf

Fields and Pit -The fields and awards ceremonies will be in the Georgia Dome, while the Pit Area will be in the GWCC Building C. This building has curb level access and includes food courts. The walk between buildings will be approximately 10 minutes.

TIP! Don't forget to bring a cart or wagon to transport your robot from the Pit to the competition field and back!

EVENT OVERVIEW
Safety at the Event
We start off the event overview with a reminder that safety is a key priority at FIRST. As always, we rely on you and your team to abide by the safety guidelines provided in the team manual to help keep the event fun and safe for everyone. Pit Admin will be patrolling the Pit to ensure all teams are working under these guidelines. Please remember that judges will be looking for team compliance as well.

TIP! Remember to bring enough safety glasses for your team.

Buddy System:
FIRST has worked closely with local officials to secure the safety of all event participants. As team leaders, we encourage you to help in this endeavor by asking your team members to adhere to a buddy system when moving about downtown Atlanta. Please do not venture out into the city on your own. Look to the local police and Ambassadors, as well as your hotel, for assistance in locating a destination in the city. It is important that you remain on the defined path of Andrew Young International Boulevard. Please click on http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005...wntown_Map.pdf for a walking map of the downtown area that lists the hotels and their proximity to the Dome and GWCC.

Please provide each team member with key contact information such as Team Leader(s) personal contact number(s) (e.g., cell phone), Hotel (and room) number(s), THS number, and Pit Emergency Number (THS and Pit numbers will be forthcoming.) We also recommend having pre-determined meeting points in case anyone gets lost. Additionally, it is a good idea to have a daily meeting with your team to emphasize the importance of all-around safety while at the event.

Wednesday, April 20th 6:00-9:00 pm - Registration and Uncrating Robots

An additional opportunity has been created to load in, uncrate, and register your team this year during the above time frame! Please note there is no loading dock entry to the building at any point.

Each team may send three (3) representatives to uncrate its robot. Please note this means three (3) total representatives - not three members plus a team leader. Names and teams numbers will be checked at the door and three (3) members only will be allowed in for each team. This check in at the door will also be by Division - see note on Divisions under last bullet below.
Load in will be from curb side through the lobby on the Northside Drive side of Building C. There will be event staff available to guide you from this point. Please note: This is NOT the same location as last year! IMPORTANT: There is no loading dock access.
Please make sure you uncrate your robot and additional items as soon as you get to your pit station. Midwest Conference Services (MCS) is tasked with moving all crates off site within a 1 1/2 hour time frame as there is no on-site storage. Your assistance in a smooth removal of the crates will be most appreciated. The Wednesday pit opening is designed for uncrating robots, confirming ship weight, and charging your batteries. Please do not work on your robots or assemble pit booth displays on Wednesday!
If you are planning to keep your crate, it must fit in your pit station. Please remember, each team has a 10x10 area into which all team related items must fit - including your team! (The 10' dimension is the centerline of 2" pipe so the inside dimension is approximately 9'10".)
Registration - Once you have unloaded your crate you may send one (1) of your three representatives to Pit Admin to register your team (this must be an adult team leader.) Please let your team know if you are going to exercise this option so other team leaders do not come to register the team on Thursday morning.
IMPORTANT: Registration will be by DIVISION - please make sure you know your team's Division prior to coming on site. There will be signage at the Pit Admin table to guide you to the right line. Team Division information will be available on our website at http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005/chevents.htm and clicking on the "Team List" link after April 11th. If your team does not register Wednesday night you may do so on Thursday morning; however, if you get registered on Wednesday you can hit the ground running Thursday am!
Thursday, April 21 - Autodesk's "Ted and Phil Show"

Gear up for the Ted and Phil Show presented by Autodesk!

Amid rumors of unrest and dissatisfaction, Phil Dollan was quoted last week as saying he believes "The Ted and Phil Show" would be better served if called The Phil and Ted Show. Ted Boardman could not be reached for comment, but a source quoted him as responding "over my dead beard." Find out the truth at The Ted and Phil Show!

The Ted and Phil Show features Phil Dollan, inventor, educator, and Autodesk Inventor guru, and Ted Boardman, 3ds max czar, author, and animation expert. Phil will present his hot picks from the Autodesk Inventor award entries and talk about the cool capabilities of Autodesk Inventor, and Ted will follow with his favorites from the animation entries and chat about the magic of 3ds max. So laugh when you think they want you to, eat free food, and enjoy because who knows, there just might be a brouhaha.

Place: Georgia Dome, Building C, Room C304, 6:00-7:00 pm

The Autodesk Lounge

This year Autodesk will be hosting a lounge in the Pit. The lounge will be a perfect spot to relax, hang out, chat with Ted about 3ds max, or Phil about Inventor, and maybe even get a free Autodesk t-shirt!

Autodesk will also be showing award entries from this year (including Inventor entries!) so stop on by and see what great work your teammates and fellow FIRST students have created using Autodesk products.

Friday, April 22 - Robot Parade for Opening Ceremonies.

We will again have a Robot Parade with the estimated start at 7:45 am. This year, in order to make sure all participants actually make it out onto the floor, we are limiting the parade to two (2) reps from the FRC Regional Chairman's Award winning teams as well as the full team for the 2004 Chairmans Award winner. Teams from FIRST LEGO League and FIRST VEX Challenge will also participate.

Saturday, April 23 - Our Grand Finale......The "Wrap Celebration!"

We are very excited by this year's Wrap Celebration, which will be held at Centennial Olympic Park. FIRST has gone to great lengths to ensure this event will be the best one yet! Activities will include:
Dinner - The menu will include barbecue style fare with salad, pasta, potatoes and dessert item. There will be an assortment of drinks, including lemonade and iced tea
Entertainment - There will be interactive games such as: a bungee run, obstacle course, batting cage, giant swing, rock climbing wall, moonwalks, etc.. and midway games
Please note this year there will be a Grand Performance Stage. Furthermore, we are ultra thrilled with the hi-lite of the night - an amazing "Cirque-Style" performance. And of course, what is any grand finale without awesome fireworks!

So, come one, come all to this great event! Please make sure that your team has its tickets (wristbands) and please let anyone else associated with your team know how to get them. Tickets (wristbands) are sold through THS either as part of a hotel package or separately. Please go to http://www.ths-frc.com/ to purchase now, or, you may purchase at the Championship outside the Pit Area up until Friday night.

**IMPORTANT** - Please note tickets (wristbands) will not be sold at the door. Please make sure you have obtained the tickets you need ahead of time!

TRANSPORTATION

MARTA is the public transportation system in Atlanta and is what our staff and most teams will rely on to get around. Information regarding MARTA schedules and services can be found at http://www.itsmarta.com/ We have been assured that Atlanta and the MARTA system are expecting and looking forward to our arrival! They will have ample cars available for our transportation!

Where to buy passes:
Airport: If you are flying in, you can purchase passes at the area near the baggage claim. You will find large signage at the airport to direct you to the station which is designated as S7. The cashier is open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 10:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 10:30 pm
5 Points Station: The other cashier is located at the 5 Points Station. This is where all the lines intersect and is close to the Georgia Dome. This cashier is open from 6:30 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday, and from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Token machines are also located in all train stations. The fare to ride the Marta is $1.75 per person per ride. The passes provide people with unlimited rides.

TIP! Have dollar bills handy for the machines in case you arrive after the token windows close!

HOTELS

Teams that purchased packages through THS will be able to pick up Wrap Celebration tickets (wristbands) and obtain other general information at the hotel registration desk. THS will again have a "Help Desk" set up in the Pit with representatives ready to assist teams if there are any problems.

Food Packages
In order to provide teams with more flexibility, FIRST decided food would not be included in the hotel packages this year. Building C has an international food lounge, and several different types of food stations available outside of the Pit area, and in the Dome.

Pre-order lunches or "FIRSTPACKS" are available at http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005...Lunch_Form.pdf. Please note the deadline date is April 14th, 2005.

FIRST MERCHANDISE

We are pleased to announce that Logo Loc, LTD., the official supplier for FIRST branded merchandise, will be offering FIRST product again this year at the Championship! The Store will be set-up and located in room C103 outside the Pit area (Exhibit Hall C1)

They will be featuring t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and other various logo items. Also available will be numerous items offered in the On-Line store. Cash, Check and major credit cards will be accepted. Be sure to stop by and see all the new possibilities. New logo, New styles, New ideas! Please share this information with your team members so they can plan ahead.

Finally, don't forget to keep checking the FIRST Championship website at http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005/chevents.htm as well as your email for new and updated Championship information.

Go Teams!

[Kevin Sevcik]

Erm.. Is the 10 minute walk just for spectators from the pits to the arena, or is that robot trip time as well? And I swear I heard something about the trip from the pits to the stands being shorter this year anyways.....

Still, it's Championships and will be a blast as always. I just might be getting more exercise than I planned.