FIRST® Selects St. Louis as Site of Championship from 2011 - 2013

[Andrew Schuetze]

Press Release from FIRST
Manchester, NH, October 7, 2009 – FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) announced today that it has selected St. Louis to host the worldwide robotics Championship beginning in 2011 and continuing through 2013, including the 20th Anniversary year of the organization’s inaugural competition. Dean Kamen, FIRST founder, noted inventor and president of DEKA Research and Development, announced the choice at the Saint Louis Science Center’s SciFest 09.

...

The FIRST Championship games for 2011 – 2013 will be housed at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis with a total of 502,000 contiguous square feet of exhibit space in six halls, 83 meeting rooms, the 1,411 fixed-seat Ferrara Theatre, the St. Louis Executive Conference Center and The Edward Jones Dome.

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click on the link to read more

Congratulations to folks from St. Louis. It's 18 months away but what is the venue area like?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schuetze

Congratulations to folks from St. Louis. It's 18 months away but what is the venue area like?

You might find the venue-area comparisons for two of the three finalists at http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...threadid=78567

[Carol]

Lots of discussion on this already at http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78567

[Richard Wallace]

Sorry for mult-posting; this thread has a more searchable title.

See this link for video of Dean's announcement in St. Louis.

[dangerousdave]

While I knew this change was coming it is still sad for some of us in the Atlanta area, to know that the Championship event is moving to another city in 2011.

Since I first found out about First in 2004, the Championship event has been held 40 minutes from my home. I have enjoyed trying to help provide out of town team members, information about the Atlanta area to better plan and make their trip here more enjoyable.

While a few may say that there is not enough to do or see in downtown Atlanta, I think most any city would have a hard time matching what Atlanta has to offer an event like this.

I am happy for the people in the St. Louis area. Beginning in 2011, they will be able to enjoy the event close to their home and be proud of their city. I am sure everyone will enjoy visiting St. Louis from 2011-2013 and perhaps beyond. Maybe one year I might make the trip and maybe one year the Championship event will return to Atlanta.

Anyway, let's enjoy the new build season coming up, the Regional's and help make this the best Championship event ever, in Atlanta in April.

Dave

[IKE]

I wonder if there will be a 25 point bonus for hanging on the arch in 2011?

Hmmm, hanging on an arch could be all sorts of fun/tormenting.....

[JoshD]

Very cool! I lived in St. Louis back about 6 to 7 years ago, this gives me an excuse to go back and visit.

[vespa2t]

This is a good thing. It should cycle around to different cities instead of being in the same place every year. This way FIRST gets more exposure on a national level, and ALOT of people who normally couldnt go to a 'national' event will have the opportunity.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Originally Posted by vespa2t

This is a good thing. It should cycle around to different cities instead of being in the same place every year. This way FIRST gets more exposure on a national level, and ALOT of people who normally couldnt go to a 'national' event will have the opportunity.

Remember it is an International Event.

[cmh0114]

I think this is pretty cool. I've heard that St. Louis is a really cool city.
As for hanging off the arch -- if you can build a robot that can do that, that's just an epic win. You don't even need to compete.

[lexxasaurus]

I'm excited about that and not at the same time.
I am getting help to pay for Atlanta this year and I'm on the east coast less then 16 hours away... so going to St. Louis will be something. I'll finally get off the east coast (on one hand) but the price won't be in my budget. It's gonna take a lot of work.

But as for the location itself, that sounds pretty cool. I'm excited that my senior year I get to go to St. Louis for championship (hopeful thinking!).

[JaneYoung]

This might be a movie of interest to folks who would like to know more about the Gateway Arch before traveling to St. Louis. My brother kept a scrapbook of all the news articles of the building of the Arch. What was interesting to me at the time, and is still interesting to me, was all the naysayers that said it couldn't be done. My family was fascinated with the project and its potential. It was definitely a lesson in, do the math.

dangerousdave,
It must be very sad for you to see the Championship event pack up and move to another location after this season. Atlanta has been a gracious and wonderful host to all of the teams that have come from all over the world to participate and celebrate together. You have always been helpful - providing information, insight, weather reports, and patience. I was especially grateful for the posts that you made in the threads regarding the 2008 tornado that did so much damage in Atlanta, keeping us updated with news regarding the venue and hotels. You eliminated rumors and kept us informed. I hope you do make it to St. Louis in the coming years and that you share stories of the Atlanta years. You are an excellent resource for all of us. Thank you.

Jane

Originally Posted by cmh0114

I think this is pretty cool. I've heard that St. Louis is a really cool city.
.

HMMM...I am actually thinking cold in April...But then again, I froze in Atlanta back in 2005 when it got down to 30 degrees..

BC

[dangerousdave]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

dangerousdave,
It must be very sad for you to see the Championship event pack up and move to another location after this season. Atlanta has been a gracious and wonderful host to all of the teams that have come from all over the world to participate and celebrate together. You have always been helpful - providing information, insight, weather reports, and patience. I was especially grateful for the posts that you made in the threads regarding the 2008 tornado that did so much damage in Atlanta, keeping us updated with news regarding the venue and hotels. You eliminated rumors and kept us informed. I hope you do make it to St. Louis in the coming years and that you share stories of the Atlanta years. You are an excellent resource for all of us. Thank you.

Jane

Wow, thanks very much Jane for your comments. I was in CD overdrive following the Atlanta tornado trying to give out factual and helpful info. Giving Atlanta info and help is something I enjoy doing and it is of course very nice to hear appreciation being thrown my way.

Yes it is sad to see it move but this is a global event that other cities and teams need to enjoy and be proud of. We have been fortunate to have the event in Atlanta for 7 years. I hope I can make it to St. Louis also. Can't wait for the Championship's to hit Atlanta one last time.

Somehow until today, I failed to get back to this thread to read your comments.
Dave