Chairmans Award Event in Manchester Wrap-up and Details

[Josh Hambright]

So for those of you that weren't able to attend I figured i would give a rundown of the events that transpired and some of the things that went on.

First off we arrived at FIRST-Place without any real knowledge of what was going to happen and were given packets with information in them. Then after some speeches and a briefing on why we were there and an UPDATE on what FIRST is doing next year. They told us about how many teams they figured they would have next year and where the new regionals were going to be and some other information.

Then we were broken up into teams to discuss one of 2 topics. First was the Chairmans award and how first can help make it a bigger deal and help teams realize that it is infact the reason FIRST is around and that it IS the most prestigious award and how to get more teams involve and basicly make it a bigger deal and the second was a discussion about the FIRST hall of fame and what exactly that is going to be and how it is going to work and such.

Really cool stuff, alot of interesting ideas were proposed and discussed and i'm sure that we'll see some of the fruits of our discussion popping up in what FIRST is doing next year.

Then we were taken to Deka/Segway and given a tour and demonstrations of the internals of segways, a demonstration of the IBOT, A trip through the machine shop and some of the office areas for Deka, and show the sterling engine and water purification stuff. Very cool. (The insides of the segway are alot simpler then i expected)

Then we were taken by bus out to Dean's house were we were treated to some speeches and dinner and then allowed to roam freely, talk amongst ourselves, talk to Dean, Woodie and other first personalities, and ride segways they had for demonstrations. We ate a delicious dinner in deans helicopter garage and were privilage to the unveiling of yet another amazing piece of FIRST news, National Beverage company has created FIRST vending machine for the FIRST water! Totaly cool looking and a great idea.

So yah that was basicly our fun filled night, and for those of you that haven't been yet, Deans house is absolutely amazing and awe inspiring!

I should have some pictures to post in the next couple of days.

I'm sure other people can fill in details i forgot or stuff i forgot to mention.