Huntsville, AL? Why would we want to go there for a Regional?

[Beaker]

Originally Posted by James1902

Can somebody whip up a graph comparing regional BBQ quality with Regional BBQ scores? I'm sure we have that data floating around the interwebs somewhere.

http://bbqfrc.x10host.com/event_info...alhu&year=2016

Yes we do, just have to work on the food part still...

I'm going to try to keep BBQ FIRST updated as much as I can during the offseason. You can check out all the other events there as well.

[Lil' Lavery]

Please send all BBQ (food) samples to me. I'll take care of the evaluations.

[Omar]

...

8) Ed Sparks LRI

9) Walk inside the International Space Station and practice docking a robotic arm? See the latest in astronaut food? Bedrooms? Toilets? Now you can in Alabama

You can do that and more in a new exhibit opened Tuesday at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. It's called "ISS: Science on Orbit," and it's in the main center building on I-565.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2016/01/want_to_walk_inside_the_intern.html#incart_river_h ome

[Ed Sparks]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I just wonder if the BBQ talk will increase the BBQ of the event...

Sounds like the RPC better get some BBQ vendors to the Rocket City Regional. I'm a fan of MOE'S and the Chuck Wagon.

The event will be held at the VBCC South Hall ...... lots of room for robots.

Looking forward to it!

[Fusion_Clint]

Count Team Fusion 364 in!

It is only a 6 hour drive for us, we can bring fresh seafood from the Gulf if you need it.

[Gary Dillard]

In case you didn't see it (this was changed from TBD just before registration opened), Rocket City Regional is one of the 2 regionals identified this year for NASA regional challenge grants, up to 10 rookie and 10 veteran grants.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Foster

(note, that is a made up quote. I can see him saying it, but presently those words in that order have not yet left his fingers)

Normally I'd object to fake quotes, especially fake quotes from me, but this time it pretty much nailed it.

[Rosiebotboss]

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard

I'm glad you asked. Here are some things to consider about the inaugural Rocket City Regional week 4 this season:

1) As home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Army Materiel Command, Huntsville is a high-technology community with a significant number of large corporations having major offices or division headquarters in the area.

2) A recent analysis showed that "The Huntsville, Alabama, metro area is the best place for engineers by far"

3) The Convention Center venue (The Von Braun Center) is named after a Rocket Scientist - this city loves its engineers!

4) The Regional Planning Committee, bringing together many years of experience as members or mentors of FIRST robotics teams from around the country as well as serving in leadership roles as volunteers at numerous regionals, has received overwhelming support from local business and community leaders who are committed to bringing the best experience possible.

5) Huntsville is centrally located in the Southeast but far enough north to be within a reasonable driving distance for many teams in the central US as well.

6) Home to the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center and Space Camp (we're not allowed to say anything official about a team social yet, but just sayin'.....)

7) Lots of good, reasonably priced restaurants nearby that can handle a large team - both chains and local favorites - with Southern hospitality you have to experience.

I'd like to personally invite you and your team to join us for the Rocket City Regional this season March 23-26.

8) Ed Sparks LRI

[Tim Sharp]

Originally Posted by Rosiebotboss

8) Ed Sparks LRI

Second that

[waialua359]

Been to SpaceCamp before.
Its an awesome experience if you've never been there before.
Huntsville is also a beautiful upscale area.

Other than getting hit with a possible tornado, this is a must do regional!

[IndySam]

Five words: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by waialua359

Other than getting hit with a possible tornado, this is a must do regional!

The day that the 2011 Tornadoes came through and knocked out the main power grid here for 4 days, my wife and I were driving to St. Louis for the Championship and we just missed them (we stayed in St. Louis an extra day until our power came back on). The next year I was parked in the volunteer lot at the Championship and had major hail damage to my car from the tornado that came by during Einstein. Hopefully we're early enough in the season but you never know - we were at a Smoky Mountain regional where there was a tornado warning during the competition, but the venue was a shelter so we just kept going.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I'll throw in my two cents here. Huntsville is a great town. It is easy to get to via I65, it is a beautiful part of the country at the southern end of the Appalachians and not far from Chattanooga or Nashville. The NASA complex is something special to see. And yes, there is Ed Sparks.

[teku14]

Are any of the NASA powerhouse teams in a 7 hour drive radius interested? Pink? Robonauts?

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by teku14

Are any of the NASA powerhouse teams in a 7 hour drive radius interested? Pink? Robonauts?

Houston and Titusville are both about 10-11 hours drive but we'd love to have them; Pink came to Bayou a couple of years ago which is about the same distance.