Announcing: Mahoning Valley Robotics Challenge

[ayantes]

We are pleased to introduce a New Off Season event In Northeast Ohio.
The MVRC, hosted by FRC teams 48, 379, 2010, 3193, 4601 & 5077. Will be held September 20th 2014 at Austintown-Fitch High School in Austintown, Ohio.

Go to neofra.com to register.

Please contact me with any questions or comments.

Andy Yantes
Mentor FRC 3193 Falco Tech

[Travis Hoffman]

This is an exciting thing, as we've never had an offseason FRC event in Northern Ohio before. This event will enable NEOFRA teams in the Mahoning Valley (Youngstown-Warren, OH area) to learn what is needed to plan and host a future district event. The MVRC also adds to the low-cost competitive opportunities available to our fellow Ohio FRC teams and our friends in neighboring states and beyond. PA, NY, WV, MI - I'm looking at you. If we can go to Ruckus, ye can come here.

Ontario, too! Nick Lawrence is proof Canadians can spend multiple days of time in Ohio and return safely. Plus, there's this. Just sayin'. Robots on Saturday, roller coasters on Sunday. Short lines, yo.

Many of our friends on other Ohio teams and organizations affiliated with OhioFIRST will be joining us in our first year - individuals experienced with planning and executing existing FRC competitions in Ohio - this should help ensure a quality experience for all involved! We may even get some experienced folks from other near events such as the Greater Pittsburgh Regional (one might expect Western PA and Ohio to be closely linked when considering a future district in this region).

For the first year, we're targeting 24-32 teams. The event fee will be $100 per team. Concessions will be available, and the event will be webcast. We'll publish other news and developments to the event website and in this thread as the event nears.

For more information, please see the links below:

Event Page

Team List

Team Registration Form

Volunteer Registration Form

[synth3tk]

I wouldn't mind getting behind a mic somewhere if you need it, since I couldn't get to Buckeye this year.

Either way, I'll probably show up to watch.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

I wouldn't mind getting behind a mic somewhere if you need it, since I couldn't get to Buckeye this year.

Either way, I'll probably show up to watch.

We'd love to see you there either way.

If you are thinking about volunteering, please do fill out the volunteer registration form. Our goal is to train new local volunteers to build up our volunteer base in the region, and having outside assistance from experienced volunteers can only help that process.

[P.J.]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

Our goal is to train new local volunteers to build up our volunteer base in the region, and having outside assistance from experienced volunteers can only help that process.

I'll sign up to come down and referee, I'd love to help teach some new people the ropes.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

We'd love to see you there either way.

If you are thinking about volunteering, please do fill out the volunteer registration form. Our goal is to train new local volunteers to build up our volunteer base in the region, and having outside assistance from experienced volunteers can only help that process.

I'm not sure how I missed that in your first post. I think I'm used to ignoring your Facebook rants. Anyway, filled it out. Glad to see Ohio is finally growing!

[Nick Lawrence]

Looking forward to this event, great way to kick off the school year!

See you on the field...

-Nick

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Nick Lawrence

See you on the field...

??

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Gregor

??

More like Nick Lawrence:MVRCMC

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

More like Nick Lawrence:MVRCMC

I'm not starting another page.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Gregor

I'm not starting another page.

Nick says thank you.

Here's the current MVRC team list - we're up to 11!

48.....Delphi E.L.I.T.E..............Warren, OH
291....CIA - Creativity In Action....Erie, PA
379....RoboCats......................Girard, OH
1038...Lakota Robotics...............Liberty Township, OH
2010...The Lightning Bots............Champion, OH
2252...The Mavericks.................Milan, OH
3138...Innovators Robotics...........Dayton, OH
3193...Falco Tech....................Austintown, OH
4165...Appalachian Automation........Logan, OH
4601...CircuitBirds..................Canfield, OH
5077...RoboCards.....................Youngstown, OH

[Travis Hoffman]

Up to 14 registered teams now.

http://www.neofra.com/mahoning-valle...tics-challenge

https://www.facebook.com/events/636390939778093/?ref=5

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

48.....Delphi E.L.I.T.E..............Warren, OH
291....CIA - Creativity In Action....Erie, PA
379....RoboCats......................Girard, OH
1038...Lakota Robotics...............Liberty Township, OH
2010...The Lightning Bots............Champion, OH
2252...The Mavericks.................Milan, OH
2399...The Fighting Unicorns.........Shaker Heights, OH
3138...Innovators Robotics...........Dayton, OH
3193...Falco Tech....................Austintown, OH
3266...Robots R Us...................Eaton, OH
4085...Technical Difficulties........Reynoldsburg, OH
4165...Appalachian Automation........Logan, OH
4601...CircuitBirds..................Canfield, OH
5077...RoboCards.....................Youngstown, OH

[ayantes]

Hotel Room Blocks for the MVRC In Austintown Ohio
If you have any questions please contact me.

Best Western Meander Inn
870 North Canfield Niles Rd.
Youngstown, Ohio 44515
Phone: 330-544-2378
Group Name: Mahoning Valley Robotics
Room Type Blocked: 20 Double Queen Rooms
Blocked Group Rate: $85.59 plus tax per room
Cut-Off Date: September 12, 2014
Cancellation Date: September 18, 2014 24 hours prior to check in.


Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Youngstown West
5570 Interstate Blvd
Austintown, OH, 44515,
‎Phone: 330-544-0300
Group Name: Fitch Robotics
Room Type Blocked: 10 Double Queen Rooms & 10 King Rooms
Blocked Group Rate: $89.00 plus tax per room
Cut off Date: August 29th, 2014

Hampton Inn
880 N. Canfield-Niles Rd.
Austintown, Ohio 44515
Phone: 330.544.0660
Group Name: MVRC
Room Type Blocked: 20 Double Queen Rooms
Blocked Group Rate: $99.00 plus tax per room
Cut-Off Date: August 20, 2014
Cancellation Date: 48 hours prior to check in.

[Travis Hoffman]

We're up to 17 registered teams for the September 20 Mahoning Valley Robotics Challenge! http://www.neofra.com/mahoning-valle...mvrc-team-list

I know a few more teams have told me they intend to register - grab your spots now!

Michigan! I know the Kettering Kickoff is the same day as the MVRC, but I also know that some good teams have been shut out of that event and are on a waiting list. The MVRC isn't that far away. $100 for a one day event, and cheap hotels if you need them. http://www.neofra.com/mahoning-valle...allenge/hotels

Also for anyone seeking to volunteer for the event, the volunteer registration link can be found here - http://www.neofra.com/mahoning-valle...r-registration.

[Travis Hoffman]

We're up to 21 registered teams for the September 20 Mahoning Valley Robotics Challenge and looking for a few more to round out the field. $100 for a great day of friendly competition!

http://www.neofra.com/mahoning-valle...mvrc-team-list

Team Registration Link

NEOFRA is hosting a charity food drive at the MVRC to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. We encourage spectators to bring non-perishable food items and drop them off at the food donation table when they arrive. The most-needed food items are peanut butter, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, tuna fish, dry pasta, and macaroni and cheese. Come watch the competition and help out a great cause!

AndyMark has graciously donated some awesome prizes for teams who get into the charity act - start gathering your donations now! Final contest terms will be announced shortly.

We are still accepting volunteer registrations. We'd like to further round out our referee crew - the volunteer registration link can be found here - http://www.neofra.com/mahoning-valle...r-registration.

We just secured a very cool sponsorship from LED3 (www.led3.us) in nearby Canfield, OH. I think teams and visitors are going to be VERRRRY pleased by the video system.

The Youngstown State University College of STEM is also a huge supporter of our event. NEOFRA teams very much look forward to growing our partnership with this great local institution.

Finally, see the attachment for a sneak peek at the final prototype for our MVRC winner/finalist trophy. We think the look and material are both rather unique among offseason competitions.