2013 Lessons Learned: The Negative

[SarahBeth]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

[I wish this response wasn't in the Negative thread...]

Not if you have the "booth" on Thursday only.
For the past few years, off and on, we've tried a low key concept at the Chesapeake.
Team Showcase. Team gets a table (usually in the pits) for one hour. Sign up ahead of the event. Agenda is passed out and announced every hour. They can feature anything about their team/outreach/technical.

It needs some tweaking, but I generally think it is a good concept. I originally developed the concept to deal with all the special requests coming in (some from teams competing for RCA) to showcase their team - giveaways, time on field to present a special award, requests for a special space or booth to promote something. All worthwhile ventures - I was just trying to level the field.

This is a really cool idea, and I think if more districts/regionals/events offered it, many teams would take advantage, even if it was just an hour at a time. I also do like the idea of an area for teams who are competing for RCA to show off what their team does - or those who *have* won before. Maybe have it on Saturday, after all the RCA judging is over so no one is at an unfair advantage.

My only worry would be implementation--if it were mandatory for all submitters (not winners already, like those at MSC and MAR) to make a booth, would we see fewer teams try? We're already talking about the difficulty and complexity of submitting. If there was a way to keep or raise participation rates though, booths would be really great.

Maybe its not mandatory though. As I mentioned above, maybe make the 'booth' thing on Saturday after all the RCA judging and give teams the option to do it. Saturday is also a benefit because thats when most of the general public attends with families, etc and it'd be a nice showcase.