The ideal place for the FRC Championships?

[Jon K.]

Originally Posted by Michael R. Lee

There is a reason why they had it out in the parking lot! It would be nice to go there again. But what about in Washington D.C.? I mean there are a lot of spaces to hold it around there.... though the walking is going to be a lot depending on the layout.

Not only would the layout be an issue, but I can see the headlines now, 20+ students arrested for trying to bring weapons(aka screwdrivers etc.) into national landmarks. Because I know people always forget they have left tools in a pocket or something like that, it has happened to teammates of mine before. And with the tight security in D.C. I am not sure they would want 20,000 teens to all converge at once.

[dubious elise]

Originally Posted by tkwetzel

There are many great ideas here. I personally think it should move around year to year instead of staying at the same place. ... I know there are several cities with large conference centers that could house the Nationals, such as Atlanta, Houston, Washington D.C., L.A., Chicago, and so on. Let it move around and you will get a lot more exsposure than you do if the competition remains in the same location year after year.

I totally agree. Keep the Regional Competitions in their places and move Nationals *every* year. The best thing we can do to involve more people is move around and get attention!

[phrontist]

Washington, DC

SEVERAL convention centers and other possible venues. It's the capitol. Not at some uber-commercialized theme park. Not TOO expensive to get to. Close to two of the largest regionals (Richmond and Annapolis). Oh yeah, my team would have ZERO travel cost :-)

Seriously, why isn't there AT LEAST a regional there! It seems obvious...

I SWEAR that if a FIRST event comes to DC, my entire team will walk there, transporting everything on a dolly. Oh, and I'll eat a FIRST hat. While walking. Backwards.

----

Someone mentioned tight security? I live within biking distance of the mall (about 20-30 mins) and security isn't THAT tight. If someone forgot to empty their pockets of tools, they'd probably only get it confiscated. Well, as long as you don't LOOK like a terrorist (A friend of mine, who is egyptian, always grumbles about constant "security issues")

[Michael R. Lee]

I really like all these ideas. A nice place would be the moon as FIRST asks for the weight of the robot verus the the mass. Ok all kidding aside now.... if they moved Championships around the country, they would need to serious revise the rules to attend said competition. I'm not saying moving Championship around is bad but let's say a team from Florida qualifies to go that year but can not go cause they lack the money to get to L.A.! It is already sad enough that teams can not attend despite the fact they qualify.

[Arefin Bari]

Personally i think FIRSTers will make it fun wherever they go in this world for a competition...

I like epcot since it was under the hot florida sun and also the transportation was very easy. Teams didnt have to worry about having thier own bus transportation. also running into the park after the competition was cool. the way the finals were played in Einstein field out in the stage and you see teams cheering from the sitting places. the concert after the event was awesome. i would love to see epcot have FRC back.

Then again, Since i am a floridian... its sometime nice to go out and see other places....

[Gary Dillard]

How about we have 4 different cruise ships, one for each division. They leave port (Maybe New Orleans, somewhere central) for practice, qualifying and division eliminations, arrive back in port for the closing ceremony and finals at the convention center stadium.

They're already set up for food and rooms, no need for additional transportation day or night. Surely you can fit the pits and the field on the deck. And if we get heavy seas it would give the yaw rate sensors a nice workout.

[Jaine Perotti]

how about in our high school gym?? The pits could be in the cafeteria....jk
I think that wherever the championships are, it should be someplace warm (I'm from new england, and in April new england can be rather chilly). It also should have alot of stuff to do and places to eat...like at Epcott. A friend of mine suggested San Fransisco...it isn't exactly in a central location, but it sounds like a nice place. The temperature rarely is under 50 degrees...it is used to visitors because it is a popular tourist destination. I beleive there are a number of stadiums in the area where the championships could be held. I know that my team would love the chance to go to a place so different from where we live. I hope traveling far away wouldn't be too expensive however.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by phrontist

Washington, DC

SEVERAL convention centers and other possible venues. It's the capitol. Not at some uber-commercialized theme park. Not TOO expensive to get to. Close to two of the largest regionals (Richmond and Annapolis). Oh yeah, my team would have ZERO travel cost :-)

Seriously, why isn't there AT LEAST a regional there! It seems obvious...

Great idea!? DC in April, the best time to visit, according to...

...the entire world, it seems!

Our family took a little vacation after Atlanta; we were in DC the Wednesday after the Championship, and there were almost no hotel rooms available. We were puzzled, until Chris remembered that back east, they do a thing called the Senior Trip. So, with all the seniors east of the Mississippi visiting DC, no room is left for anyone else in April.

[Billfred]

Alright, I would edit my prior post, but it seems that I can't.

Turns out that FIRST has an option on having the 2006 Championship in Atlanta. It's not guaranteed (although for FIRST to announce it as they'll be there through 2006 seems to be a good sign--but that's my opinion).

So please refrain from attacking me with all of the rocks and sticks and flamethrowers! (ducks and covers)

[Kel D]

I hear Arizona is nice in April. But seriously, it is pretty nice weather, you could even get a tan if you can find time to at the Championship event.

[Bcahn836]

I think a good place to hold the championships would be in Baltimore Maryland in the inner harbor. Right next to Ravens stadium, there is plenty to do, places to stay, and a big enough facility to hold the event.

[Kyle Love]

I think it needs to be in Brazil maybe or go to Japan so we can start more teams there. I think it may be a little too pricey to have all the USA teams to fly there and all of the other expenses but hey it would be one fun time!

-kyle

[Corey Balint]

I would love for it to be in a foreign country-its just not logical though.
Instead, it should be a place thats safe and just alot of fun, with stuff for kids to do all over. Atlanta was just dull, they had that mall, but meh-nothing special. And past that there were no interesting restaurants or anything. Maybe somewhere like Minneapolis, where theres a giant mall and a theme park all in one place, its also safe, past the random moose maulings and freak snow storms. Or back to disney where theres a giant theme park with all different things that kids could enjoy, as well as tons of interesting restaurants and touristy things.
Although the competition is sooo amazingly fun, the events after should be aswell.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard

How about we have 4 different cruise ships, one for each division. They leave port (Maybe New Orleans, somewhere central) for practice, qualifying and division eliminations, arrive back in port for the closing ceremony and finals at the convention center stadium.

Why have the cruise ships all leave from the same place? What if you had 1 leaving from LA, one from New Orleans, One from Miami, and one from Boston. The teams would play, and the ships would meet at New Orleans for the finals. Then FIRST would have chartered planes from New Orleans back to the origin of the ships.

It cuts down on travel costs for people, because you only have to get to 1 of 4 major cities.

[Vince lau]

Air Canada Centre or Skydome, in Toronto Canada