2010 Regional Dates

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by TKM.368

..... but sometimes these things just take time.

As a member of a Regional Planning Committee, the above is very true.

In general FIRST is very professional in the finding of venues and getting contracts signed. The venues are not all that way however. One venue we used several years ago refused to sign and fax a contract back to FIRST. It HAD to be snail mail and by the way "we might get to it in a week or so". It was not like that particular venue had people banging down the doors to use it either. It seemed like dealing with potential customers got in the way of their jobs, if you know what I mean. That year we were the hold up for release of the schedule and at the time it was very frustrating for us. This business of signing up venues is a two way street. BOTH parties have to be on the ball for things to work out well.

Now for the shameless plug. The Long Beach Convention Center staff are very professional and the venue is very well run. They make the Committee's life much easier. Add to that, proximity to three major airports (LAX, Long Beach, and Orange County (John Wayne), good hotels and restaurants in walking distance, two major attractions (Aqarium of the Pacific, and the Queen Mary) in walking distance, a beach in walking distance and our famous Southern California weather. I don't see why a frozen team from the far north would not want to come.