2009 Kickoff Attendance

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by vivek16

I've never been before, is it really worth it?

-Vivek

I went in 2005 as a volunteer. The experience was great--picture the buzz of the crowd that amasses before the Thursday of a regional, only ramped up to eleven. There's no real competitive advantage to attending in my mind, beyond being able to touch The Actual Field Elements (hey, we can all read drawings, right?), but the Manchester Kickoff tends to draw a lot of the older-school teams that started going to Manchester before there was a choice. Tapping into the knowledge that a lot of those teams' mentors have can definitely provide some inspiration.

In short: yes.

(Just remember to pack extra warm--when they say the state motto is Live, Freeze, or Die, they're not joking.)

[EricVanWyk]

Originally Posted by Billfred

(Just remember to pack extra warm--when they say the state motto is Live, Freeze, or Die, they're not joking.)

I've survived (barely) one New Hampshire winter and I hadn't heard it before. You evoked an audible chuckle over here.

Last year's kickoff was quite pleasant weather-wise. This was because Hawaii's governor brought the warmth with her. I hope she comes again and stays until the championship.

[KathieK]

Originally Posted by EricVanWyk

Last year's kickoff was quite pleasant weather-wise. This was because Hawaii's governor brought the warmth with her. I hope she comes again and stays until the championship.

I must've been to a different kickoff in NH... it was well into the single digits or below zero on Thursday and Friday - Jane froze, being from Texas, and we enjoyed a little snowball fight while waiting for the bus to the reception...

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by KathieK

I must've been to a different kickoff in NH... it was well into the single digits or below zero on Thursday and Friday - Jane froze, being from Texas, and we enjoyed a little snowball fight while waiting for the bus to the reception...

Aye, I did, and probably whined a lot. (You and Jack were awesome, Kathie!)
But:
- the beautiful frozen waterfall
- the bus ride to Dean Kamen's house and being there with folks like Al Skierkiewicz and Mark McLeod explaining steam engines/things to me
- the excitement and energy of everyone
- the speeches given by Woodie, Dean, and Dave encouraging teams to invite/welcome engineers and professionals in the fields of science and technology to be a part of the teams/the FIRST experience
- listening to the buzz, hum, and exchange of thoughts and ideas following the reveal of the challenge
- watching Blue Alliance at work
- meeting John Burns and experiencing his warmth, humor, and brilliance
- the time spent at the NEMO table and with Wayne Penn and members of FRC 25 during travel to and from Boston
- the entire experience

was.simply.amazing. I would like to do it again sometime, if my feet ever thaw out.

[GeorgeTheEng]

Originally Posted by KathieK

I must've been to a different kickoff in NH... it was well into the single digits or below zero on Thursday and Friday - Jane froze, being from Texas, and we enjoyed a little snowball fight while waiting for the bus to the reception...

It was two years ago... close to 70 degrees out... Gov Lingle was pretty impressive. Down to earth and easy to talk to...

[EricVanWyk]

Originally Posted by GeorgeTheEng

It was two years ago... close to 70 degrees out... Gov Lingle was pretty impressive. Down to earth and easy to talk to...

Yup, I had a brain fart there. Two years ago. Oops.

I agree, Gov Lingle was quite interesting.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by GeorgeTheEng

It was two years ago... close to 70 degrees out...

It was warm enough that Dean decided to open the helicopter hangar door at the Founder's Reception. We were essentially outside. (Those servomotors are smoooooth.)

[JohnBoucher]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

It was warm enough that Dean decided to open the helicopter hangar door at the Founder's Reception. We were essentially outside. (Those servomotors are smoooooth.)

We were hanging out outside the cupola for a long time.

[TD78]

this isn't good news. we normally bring a few car loads of people up to Kickoff. looks like we're going to have to rethink our plans....

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Billfred

(Just remember to pack extra warm--when they say the state motto is Live, Freeze, or Die, they're not joking.)

Originally Posted by EricVanWyk

I've survived (barely) one New Hampshire winter and I hadn't heard it before. You evoked an audible chuckle over here.

Last year's kickoff was quite pleasant weather-wise. This was because Hawaii's governor brought the warmth with her. I hope she comes again and stays until the championship.

No, that would have been the hot air from all the politicians up there for the primary.

[vivek16]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I went in 2005 as a volunteer. The experience was great--picture the buzz of the crowd that amasses before the Thursday of a regional, only ramped up to eleven. There's no real competitive advantage to attending in my mind, beyond being able to touch The Actual Field Elements (hey, we can all read drawings, right?), but the Manchester Kickoff tends to draw a lot of the older-school teams that started going to Manchester before there was a choice. Tapping into the knowledge that a lot of those teams' mentors have can definitely provide some inspiration.

In short: yes.

(Just remember to pack extra warm--when they say the state motto is Live, Freeze, or Die, they're not joking.)

Haha, I'm from Minnesota, I'll live. I'll talk to my mentor about it, it certainly looks fun.