Location Suggestion for 2010 Championship

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Wayne C.

OK JV- sorry to ruffle your feathers but I just reflect the opinion of MANY folks I have talked to over the years. To each his own. I am not your spokesperson but I have NEVER heard another person tell me that they prefer Atlanta over Disney until now. Maybe I'm just not in touch?

Disclaimer: I never attended Nationals at Disney with a team. I stopped by on Saturday in 2002 after most of the teams had started packing up, so I didn't get anything like the experience they did. However, I did see what the location was like.

For a few days' vacation, Disney World probably wins over Atlanta. For a relatively small FRC event, it might even be preferred. But for a FIRST world championship with hundreds of FRC teams and all the FLL and FTC and conferences and everything? The outdoor stands and open stage and tents in the EPCOT parking lot don't hold a candle to the Georgia Dome and the Georgia World Congress Center. It's possible that the inconveniences of Houston in comparison might be giving some people a better memory of Disney than it really deserves.

[OZ_341]

I have enjoyed my times in Atlanta and Houston, but there is nothing that compares to sitting in the stadium at Disney on a beautiful clear Friday morning waiting for the start of the opening ceremony. It just felt special to be there.
I don't really expect people to understand, unless they have been there, but there is no better location on the planet for the Championship.

It was truly a special time to be a part of FIRST.

[Jessica Boucher]

For my money and vacation time, I require a mean temperature threshold of 60 degrees. The rest can be worked with.

Moving CMP to a cold-weather location in April will just mean skipping CMP and going somewhere that is competitive and does meet that threshold - Florida and Silicon Valley have done nicely in filling this void for many frozen New Englanders. CMP is nice, but not the be-all end-all.

[JaneYoung]

It will be interesting as FIRST develops and grows down through time, say 10 years from now, 20 years from now - how changes will impact locations, memories, and dreams. With the promise of FIRST developing teams in New Zealand, that would be a dream of mine, personally. It isn't realistic in 2008 but nothing like a long-range dream to put a smile on the face.

We can look forward and we can look back. We can look sideways and we can look up. And we can do this together, as community. The importance of having the FIRST events together to celebrate their accomplishments each year and to spend time together with teams all over the world, is no small thing. It is a competition event/venue - yes, and it is also a celebration. Possibilities for dreaming and for working towards realistic goals are part of the make-up of a FIRST team. That can be expanded into FIRST communities working to find ways to host regionals or even the Championship, if the possibilities arise. When we hold on to our own preconceived notions and biases too tightly, we can stifle growth and development. That isn't always necessary or healthy.

[waialua359]

Wherever the locations in the future might be, we all know it will be based on:
1. Cost for FIRST
2. Venue size and how it can accomodate having the event
3. Cost for teams to attend

Its too bad, no matter where it is held, #3 for us is the killer.
I've never been to Houston, but did go to DisneyWorld and Atlanta.
If you ask me, either place is fine. Both have pros and cons as to why we should or shouldn't have it there.
But if you ask my students, they choose DisneyWorld hands down.
Ultimately for our team, our students have a big say in where we attend. Its not about me, its about the team. Personally, a nice air-conditioned building and nice hotel to rest after the day is over, is good enough for me.

[Gary Fields]

Having been involved with FIRST since the early days, and having survived all the CMP venues, Disney is still the best experience.

One of the things that I have noticed since we left Disney is how rushed things are today. At Disney teams and FIRST staff all planned on spending at least an extra day enjoying everything that Disney has to offer. A lot of friendships were made and built upon at the pool at various Disney hotels. One of my best memories of FIRST was being at the restaurant at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and watching some FIRST Directors (Snowman & Bob) riding around the restaurant on broomstick horses, yelping like children, and waving kid's sized cowboy hats.

We all have our memories of each venue, both good and bad. But the excitement of having the CMP at Disney (IMHO) is not the same as it is today.

And I have to agree with Jessica, it needs to be warm for all us Yankee's!

[Jim E]

I like the thought of the:
Orlando Convention Center
New Orleans Convention Center and Super Dome
Indianapolis (a bit cold in April though and chance of late-season blizzard)
Atlanta World Conference Center.
Kansas City has a pretty large convention center too. (25 years ago...)

Someone should start a poll....

[Burmeister #279]

So i've never been to EPCOT, nor WDW, nor any other FIRST event minus championships and GLR last year, so i'd like to throw the idea of FIRST building their own place. in order to not have to rebuild it in less than 5 years, it would not just have to contain the 400+ FRC teams, FLL teams and FTC teams, but it would [eventually][probably] have to contain 750 teams at some point at least and most likely 3 or 4 times the number of FLL/FTC. the only way to not have this massive number of teams would be to completely reorganize the regional structure, and any changes in that [as i believe Andy said] would mean there would be MANY MANY teams that never go to atlanta. there are some that haven't been now but they have more opportunities to go than if the team limit is strictly 400 while the number of teams has grown [this year alone] by 600 [if i remember correctly]. FIRST is supposed to be about learning/education and not about going to championships... but how are you going to keep companies funding and students/mentors interested if they don't even get a snowball's chance in Equador of an opportunity to go? For now, Atlanta is fine. but always think of the future

[waialua359]

I just wanted to add and emphasize that cost for teams are so important, especially since its involves 10 countries now.
I still havent booked our trip to Atlanta yet as we are waiting for the cost to drop from the 1000+ per person I am being quoted now. Multiply that by 30 people and you get some serious fundraising and sponsorship that needs to happen. Last year, we paid 700 per person.
Not an airlines expert, but whatever the logistics or events that need to take place in order to get a cheaper fair, we are all for it, versus where it is held.

[synth3tk]

A lot would be involved in getting their own place, along with what to do with the building/area for the other 360+ days of the year.

They'd need to be near a major airport. Near loads of hotels. Major public transportation available. And I'm sure most teams would prefer something fun/exciting in the area to do in between off days.

But I would love to see them [eventually] have their own place. Maybe that could enable them to host other things throughout the year or something.

And before somebody shoots down the idea, who would've thought that FIRST would be as big as it is now?

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

... who would've thought that FIRST would be as big as it is now?

Dean Kamen, for one. The man thinks big. Very likely, he expected FIRST would be bigger by now. He's made it clear that he expects FIRST to spread to every high school.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

who would've thought that FIRST would be as big as it is now?

I always knew it would be, but it still amazes me.

[synth3tk]

lol, I stand corrected....

[ttldomination]

IDk, I like Atlanta, it's nice and easy down here. But I wouldn't mind having it somewhere out west.

[Dan2081]

2 Words...
Peoria, Illinois