Championships location from 07 and onwards

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Boy this thread is getting alot of mileage...
Let's see.
What is required to properly host a FIRST championship? You need:
-A large, dome stadium ( the robots are not designed to handle the elements. Half of the team can't even design them with a functioning autonomous mode never mind weatherproofing them!). Not a basketball arena that would be OK for a regional a football stadium that can host at least five fields.
- A large area adjacent to the dome stadium for the pit area, Not the stadium itself.
- A good amount of hotel to host 340 teams and numerous volunteers and important people.
- A nice place to host an after party (It's a big deal with FIRST. It's a big deal with us). Good weather is probably a determining factor (which is why Detroit is a no go. It's still cold and I know I ain't going outside to eat dinner if it's cold. And yes I know it got cold last year but that was a freak storm. It's actually cold at night up North because it's supposed to be)
So with that in mind instead of throwing things against the wall to see if they'll stick come up with some authentic suggestions that FIRST can actually use or else why not be happy that Atlanta is actually willing to host the event and move on.

I agree with the basic requirements for a host site and posted something similar in this thread a long time (almost a year) ago:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=18

With those requirements in mind, I suggest that St. Louis is a good candidate:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=25

With regards to weather, rain is a possibility almost anywhere in the US in late April: The thunderstorm in Atlanta last year was incredible, especially if you were out walking . The typical temperature range in St. Louis around the end of April has a high of ~70 and a low ~50.

Another advantage for St. Louis, location: it is just east of the geographic center of the continental US. Not too far to travel for any of the US teams and somewhat closer for the multitude of mid-west teams than Atlanta.

[Conann]

Originally Posted by ali_rockon22

I think it should be held in a very large ship in international waters to make it a truly international event.

Back to the real topic, I think it should be held in a city where there has been an Olympic event held there because it is already suited for a large number of people. For example, Salt Lake City or L.A.

Hahahahha yeah that would be saweet!!! I can imagine someone driving their robot off the boat into the sea...

[Tomasz Bania]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

(which is why Detroit is a no go. It's still cold and I know I ain't going outside to eat dinner if it's cold. And yes I know it got cold last year but that was a freak storm. It's actually cold at night up North because it's supposed to be)

I have to disagree with you there. Right now it's 70 outside, and next week it might (doubtful) reach 80, so Detroit is actually great with all the global warming (off topic, we)

Tomasz Bania

[Jon Jack]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Boy this thread is getting alot of mileage...
Let's see.
What is required to properly host a FIRST championship? You need:
-A large, dome stadium ( the robots are not designed to handle the elements. Half of the team can't even design them with a functioning autonomous mode never mind weatherproofing them!). Not a basketball arena that would be OK for a regional a football stadium that can host at least five fields.
- A large area adjacent to the dome stadium for the pit area, Not the stadium itself.
- A good amount of hotel to host 340 teams and numerous volunteers and important people.
- A nice place to host an after party (It's a big deal with FIRST. It's a big deal with us). Good weather is probably a determining factor (which is why Detroit is a no go. It's still cold and I know I ain't going outside to eat dinner if it's cold. And yes I know it got cold last year but that was a freak storm. It's actually cold at night up North because it's supposed to be)
So with that in mind instead of throwing things against the wall to see if they'll stick come up with some authentic suggestions that FIRST can actually use or else why not be happy that Atlanta is actually willing to host the event and move on.

I know I'm a little biased, but San Diego meets all of these needs. Our Convention Center would be the perfect place. It has three floors , the first floor perfect and big enough for 5 fields and the second being perfect for the pits. Plus there are 5 freight elevators on the second floor. All you would have to do is push your robot in to one of the freight elevators and take it down to the first floor to the playing fields. This should significantly cut down the time it currently takes to get your robot from the pits to the playing field in Atlanta.

Right across the street is the 'Gaslamp Quarter ' which has tons of restaurants. Plus the convention center is in downtown San Diego and there are about 9 hotels within a 5-15 minute walk from the convention center, and many more just a short drive away.

As for the weather... well, San Diego is sunny (60-75 degrees) most of the year.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

With regards to weather, rain is a possibility almost anywhere in the US in late April: The thunderstorm in Atlanta last year was incredible, especially if you were out walking . The typical temperature range in St. Louis around the end of April has a high of ~70 and a low ~50.

Another advantage for St. Louis, location: it is just east of the geographic center of the continental US. Not too far to travel for any of the US teams and somewhat closer for the multitude of mid-west teams than Atlanta.

I agree... StL is a perfect candidate for the Championship. It's only 5 hours from the Quad Cities instead of 16 hours. Hehe. Ya'll could come party and eat pizza in the QC afterwards. Lol... I'm sure the best pizza in the world, Harris Pizza, would be glad to host 20,000 high school students...

[379Robocat]

Well I started to read this thread but then realized that there are 17 pages and I don't have enough time to skim all of them. So If I repeat anything I apologize. I Like the Atlanta area. It's a nice place to be with a big courtyard for students to lounge and play Frisbee and hang out. All the hotels are within MARTA or walking distance, which I might add that last year when the MARTA was shut down we did have to walk from the Marriott Marque. There are also a lot of hotels in the area that are big enough to accommodate teams. The airport isn't too far away. There are restaurants that are within walking distance but I must say that if you expect to eat after the competitions that you make reservations because last year everything was packed with no room for anyone without having hours to wait. The Team party is also within walking distance of the hotels. The weather has been beautiful for almost all the Championships since it's been in Atlanta except last year we had a storm.Now after all the good things here is a bad point. If you fly down to Atlanta and rely on walking or the MARTA you get bored of seeing the same things over and over again because everything is a ways away if you want to make your trip an educational one.
-Disney was a good place to hold it but I remember one year when they had the pits under the tents and it Stormed outside the pits got flooded because the rain was SO bad. The team party was good because you got half the theme park to FIRST Teams. Also you have to realize that it took a while to build the site for the Championship. the tents for the pits, the Stage for Einstein, the tents for the other fields.
-I think with Houston it was a good thought but the Pits were TOO far away. Although Atlanta is a good walk aways too. Something about Houston didn't make it seem like a good Championship spot but I can't put my finger on it.
-I agree With making the Championship out west. This gives the teams from the west a break on travel costs and the teams from the east an educational experience. This is a good opportunity for the teams from the east to see a lot more of the country and maybe even some of the teams from the west too.

But if I remember correctly the Championship will be in Atlanta until 2009........ SO Keep thinking.

[dangerousdave]

There are a lot of positives about Atlanta as 379Robocat has pointed out. We do have a great close airport, good rail service, thousands of close hotel rooms, great game venue and venue for the Saturday social. The GA Dome & World Congress Center are a good fit for First. I think that almost any dome & convention center (pits) are going to have a long walk between them for an event with 335+ teams. This walk was improved last year compared to 2004. Food & drink prices are high inside the dome as with any big city arena, but right next door there are many different fast food and sit down restaurants in the CNN Center.

The Championship event may be in Atlanta for the next few years but other locations should be considered and I am sure they are. I suppose that Atlanta has the best combination of what First is looking for, right now. No venue is going to have everything you want. Having the event further west will make for shorter and less expensive travel for the western teams but until First finds a better venue for the Championship why should the event be compromised? I wonder if the GA Dome & GWCC are giving First a rental discount just to help keep the event here? If a better venue is found, lets go and see other parts of this great country.

However, 379Robocat is also correct that there has not been much to do downtown. There are great places to see around Atlanta but without your own transportation seeing them is not possible unless they are on the Marta rail line. Atlanta is trying to correct this with the addition of the Georgia Aquarium this year and late this year the Coke museum is moving over to the Centennial Park area. Atlanta tried to get the Nascar museum but that was recently awarded to Charlotte.

See everyone in about 11 days.

Dave

[Cactus_Robotics]

Originally Posted by Tammyanez

I agree that the D-Backs stadium is nice, but the city is in the process of building a new facility for the Cardinals, it would definitely have enough room for 5 fields, it is supposed to have a sliding roof also. I don't know what would happen with the pits, but that stadium is still few years away. Phoenix would be cool, though.

Yea the new stadium in Glendale/Phoenix will be ready for the 2006-2007 NFL season, also the arena is right next door for pits or the parking lot w/ tents

[JulieB]

Don't they usually announce it at the championships after the awards? I miss the last part of the awards.

[Heretic121]

Orlando/Disney in 08 or 09...

Disney is building a new sports complex + arena... like huge football type arena...

DISCUSS!!!

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by Heretic121

Orlando/Disney in 08 or 09...

Disney is building a new sports complex + arena... like huge football type arena...

DISCUSS!!!

I'd love to have the Championships back at Disney World!

But here's a new idea for all of you - what about a mini-Nationals / super super-regional that would be held at Epcot again?

Thank about it, three fields, about 160 teams, back at Epcot... You can even have an "off-season" mentality to the event, where the mood is a lot more festive since it would be held at Epcot. You can even host the event at the end of June, two months after the Championships and right at the begining of summer break, and make it a giant celebration of everything FIRST. Who can resist that?

I'd like this idea, because I'm biased; I'm already missing Atlanta. That's right everyone, I am officially suffering from PCAD - Post-Championshipitis Adjustment Disorder! And the sad thing is, I know there are probably thousands of other people who are suffering from this right now as well.

I was so bored in school today, that all I wanted to do was to walk outside to the grassy area and hang out with other cool CDers like in Atlanta. You know, hang out in the shade, chat, play frisbee, toss Genia, start Sharpie wars, watch Matt get dunked in the fountains for the umpteenth time. Good times, good times... If only I could somehow put that into words for the hall monitor as I tried to "get some fresh air" between classes today. Senioritis they know about, but PCAD is a totally new ball game to them.

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by Heretic121

Orlando/Disney in 08 or 09...

Disney is building a new sports complex + arena... like huge football type arena...

DISCUSS!!!

It's called Wide World of Sports, it's been around for many years now. Nobody really uses it. I'd love to go there, but I think Disney is over guys. I hope not...

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

It's called Wide World of Sports, it's been around for many years now. Nobody really uses it. I'd love to go there, but I think Disney is over guys. I hope not...

I seem to recall rumblings of an off-season event to take place there, but nothing came from it. Might have potential.

[Jon Jack]

Well according to the GD's calendar Championships will be held at the GD through '08.

[Nawaid Ladak]

Nope, No offesason event at epcot.... This year......,


You know, disney is one of our sponcers


I'll c what i can do for next year...

Is there any proof for Epcot 08-09" Championship