Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship

[Sunbun]

Extremely wild idea...

How feasible would it be to have the Championship held in Canada?

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Sunbun

Extremely wild idea...

How feasible would it be to have the Championship held in Canada?

I can't ever see a situation in which it could happen.

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by Sunbun

Extremely wild idea...

How feasible would it be to have the Championship held in Canada?

Most of the teams are out of the U.S. I like Canada anyways, WestEd Mall here I come.

[ttldomination]

I think we should keep the championships in GA. The World Congress Center provides a great place for pits, while the GA Dome is right next to center. The Dome can comfortably seat a LOT of people.

If we do want to try and grow, and try a "change", I was in Florida, when I was able to take a quick peek at the Orange County Convention center, (I think that's what it's called). The facility is state of the art and it's humongous. It has different wings, (North, South, East, and West) and it would more than suffice for a world championship.

[dtengineering]

Originally Posted by Sunbun

Extremely wild idea...

How feasible would it be to have the Championship held in Canada?

About as likely as the World Series being held in Canada or the America's Cup being hosted by Switzerland.

Oh... wait a minute....

I don't think it is likely for the foreseeable future, simply because of the mass of teams and sponsors located in the United States. It makes good economic and environmental sense to locate the Championships near the "centre of mass" of the teams attending. There are also issues surrounding the proximity of pit (convention) space to the stadium (competition) space that you really have to see in order to believe. Vancouver, for instance, does not have an appropriate venue, and I have some doubts that Toronto does, either.

I would never say "never" to this idea, however. FIRST is growing and is a fairly open-minded, forward-thinking organization. Convention centers and stadiums get built and expanded. It is clear that the Championships are no longer referred to as "the nationals" or "the national championships" because of the international nature of the competition. If FIRST continues to diversify internationally then it is inevitable that the Championships will be held outside of the United States.

Just keep in mind that it took a century to get the America's Cup races to Australia, and almost that long to get a World Series to Canada. So be patient, keep a passport up to date, and just be glad that Canadians receive a warmer welcome to the USA than other international travellers who are greeted with the friendly welcome of being fingerprinted like common criminals.

Jason

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

Vancouver, for instance, does not have an appropriate venue, and I have some doubts that Toronto does, either.

The combination of the Skydome and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre probably could do the trick if the right spaces were rented and configured properly. I was at the MTCC for a conference this spring with Simbotics, and I took some time to walk through the venue to see if it could actually work for the Champonship. Previously, I was as skeptical as Jason was, but after looking around I think it could happen.

Sure there are plenty of obstacles keeping this from happening, but I do think it's in the realm of possibilities.

/Aside

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Hmmm ... Sour grapes? or just upset because they've taken you out of your comfort zone?

Now if you have some constructive criticism (and not just criticism) we'll be glad to hear it and discuss it.

I think the point of the post was to show that FIRST has been known to abandon their comfort zone to undertake new ventures. You may not want to hear Greg's point, but telling him not voice it because you don't like isn't helping anyone.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Karthik

I think the point of the post was to show that FIRST has been known to abandon their comfort zone to undertake new ventures. You may not want to hear Greg's point, but telling him not voice it because you don't like isn't helping anyone.

I think the tone of my post came off wrong, and I apologise.

I am the last person who would want to quiet anyones voice. My post was meant as an appeal to keep criticism to constructive criticism. It is easy to point out all that is (precieved as) wrong in the world, but very difficult to come up with the proper answers.

All I ask is that when you criticise, please do so with a constructive alternative.

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by Karthik

The combination of the Skydome and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre probably could do the trick if the right spaces were rented and configured properly. I was at the MTCC for a conference this spring with Simbotics, and I took some time to walk through the venue to see if it could actually work for the Champonship. Previously, I was as skeptical as Jason was, but after looking around I think it could happen.

Sure there are plenty of obstacles keeping this from happening, but I do think it's in the realm of possibilities.

/Aside



I think the point of the post was to show that FIRST has been known to abandon their comfort zone to undertake new ventures. You may not want to hear Greg's point, but telling him not voice it because you don't like isn't helping anyone.

Maybe with another decade or two of global warming, Toronto might be a great place for the Championship. The possibility of a major snow storm impacting the event needs to be considered. We were fortunate that the freak tornado didn't take down last year's event in Atlanta.

[BobC]

[quote=dtengineering;770012]About as likely as the World Series being held in Canada or the America's Cup being hosted by Switzerland.

Lets go BLUE JAYS winner of back to back World Series held in Toronto.

[Joe Matt]

Mark my words...

Indianapolis, IN

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

Mark my words... Indianapolis, IN

Mark? As in AndyMark? You mean the Mark who has designed more cool stuff and logged more FTA hours than anyone else? The one who is now retired from Delphi, so he can spend even more time making the stuff that makes FIRST work? OK, I agree -- making more effective use of that Mark would be an excellent reason for FIRST to move the Championship to Indy!