New Regional in Europe in 2006

[Matt Leese]

Also, I believe the $125,000 assumes that the facility hosting the regional comes at no cost. This is significant as renting out a facility large enough for a regional for four days can be highly expensive (I believe I've heard as high as $100,000).

Matt

[Doug G]

I worked on the Sacramento Regional Planning Committee this year, and yes $125,000 is an absolute bare minimum, some very successful regionals operate on a budget closer to $200,000 (just look at those regionals with team socials and lots of AV production). Examples of costs MIGHT BE: Venue fee ($25,000-$75,000), AV Production ($40,000-$80,000), Catering ($7,500 - $15,000), Local Services and Personnel ($10,000 - $20,000), Equipment Rentals ($7,500 - $15,000), Signage and Promotional Items ($2,500-$5,000), Administrative and Support Costs ($30,000-$50,000). Of course - how this translates to Euro's, I don't know. Plus also factor in additional support costs to help with different languages and long distance support and shipping. I imagine FIRST would need a small HQ in Europe to provide efficient and effective support.

But to develop sponsorships for a Europe Regional, you must go through FIRST first! They have sponsorship levels that start at $5000 and go up to >$100,000. Those packages includes certain items like speaking opportunities, judging, and of course signage. So before you start taking checks on behalf of FIRST - get in touch with them as soon as the Championships conclude. They have a regional directors meeting in May I believe, make sure you get your comments through to Bob Hammond by then. http://www.usfirst.org/about/contactus.htm

I don't think it's too late to get something started for 2006, but they would have to line up a venue and take care of some serious logistics issues by summer time. Perhaps if we knew more about the experiences in the Isreal Regional to gauge the viability of FIRST competitions overseas.

A dedicated planning committee is a must. You need a dozen or so professionals to help keeps things on track and to ensure it has the local flavor to make it special. A good regional also needs to have sponsorships that are long lasting relationships to ensure the regional continues. A regional started in Sacramento in 2003, because a major funder was going to move some business to that area and sponsored the competition outright that first year. Unfortunately in 2004, the funder pulled the plug, and we've been scrambling to find and build relationships with local businesses ever since. Unfortunately that takes years to do. Having many different sponsors, will help the regional survive for the long haul.

Keep up the energy, and I'm sure we'll see some FIRST comps overseas in the near future.

[unapiedra]

Originally Posted by Doug G

I worked on the Sacramento Regional Planning Committee this year, and yes $125,000 is an absolute bare minimum, some very successful regionals operate on a budget closer to $200,000 (just look at those regionals with team socials and lots of AV production). Examples of costs MIGHT BE: Venue fee ($25,000-$75,000), AV Production ($40,000-$80,000), Catering ($7,500 - $15,000), Local Services and Personnel ($10,000 - $20,000), Equipment Rentals ($7,500 - $15,000), Signage and Promotional Items ($2,500-$5,000), Administrative and Support Costs ($30,000-$50,000). Of course - how this translates to Euro's, I don't know. Plus also factor in additional support costs to help with different languages and long distance support and shipping. I imagine FIRST would need a small HQ in Europe to provide efficient and effective support.

But to develop sponsorships for a Europe Regional, you must go through FIRST first! They have sponsorship levels that start at $5000 and go up to >$100,000. Those packages includes certain items like speaking opportunities, judging, and of course signage. So before you start taking checks on behalf of FIRST - get in touch with them as soon as the Championships conclude. They have a regional directors meeting in May I believe, make sure you get your comments through to Bob Hammond by then. http://www.usfirst.org/about/contactus.htm

I don't think it's too late to get something started for 2006, but they would have to line up a venue and take care of some serious logistics issues by summer time. Perhaps if we knew more about the experiences in the Isreal Regional to gauge the viability of FIRST competitions overseas.

A dedicated planning committee is a must. You need a dozen or so professionals to help keeps things on track and to ensure it has the local flavor to make it special. A good regional also needs to have sponsorships that are long lasting relationships to ensure the regional continues. A regional started in Sacramento in 2003, because a major funder was going to move some business to that area and sponsored the competition outright that first year. Unfortunately in 2004, the funder pulled the plug, and we've been scrambling to find and build relationships with local businesses ever since. Unfortunately that takes years to do. Having many different sponsors, will help the regional survive for the long haul.

Keep up the energy, and I'm sure we'll see some FIRST comps overseas in the near future.

Hey! This is exactly what I've been waiting for. With this type of help we will see a European Regional in the very near future.

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by unapiedra

I am a German foreign exchange student and this year I participated in FIRST.

Now I plan to organize a European Regional in 2006 and I would like to know what teams are interested in attending a regional in Europe. I don't have a location yet, but I would still like to know if there are any teams who would like to go to Europe for a regional next year. Please send me an e-mail or post if you want to come to Europe in 2006. Please write only if you can afford to come.

This will give me some information on how many to expect and it will also help me find sponsors.

Further I am pleased with any information (e-mail) which might help me with a regional. Especially an exact listing of how much money it will cost.
The more the better.

Thanks a lot

I'm going to send you an email, a prior mentor to our team is working with Infineon Germany and he is interested in starting a German team, so you might want to get ahold of him. I'll send out that info soon.

[Denman]

Well, you would obviously be able to count the only europe first team already around in
It might also mean we would be able to afford atlanta if we got through...
The choice of country would be key obviously. if you picked somewhere central european say france, you have language barrier... I
m thinking the uk would be the only place to do it in the eu...

[unapiedra]

Originally Posted by Denman

Well, you would obviously be able to count the only europe first team already around in
It might also mean we would be able to afford atlanta if we got through...
The choice of country would be key obviously. if you picked somewhere central european say france, you have language barrier... I
m thinking the uk would be the only place to do it in the eu...

Quite honestly I don't care! I would say language barrier is not a real problem in most european countries (France is special) so this isn't really the problem. But I would say let the Sponsor decide!
Also possible would be 2006 uk, 2007 Germany, 2008 ...

[Denman]

cool
im gunna brush up on my german!
Mein kubelwagen ist sehry kaputt! (hehe)
()
It would be good in international first, but it would most definately require a few american teams having to experience the jetlag of a 8 odd hour flight back 5 hours lol for at least the first year.
Anyway
keep 759 updated

[Joshua May]

During this past season, I have had the opportunity to see Christoph's work in making this dream of a European Regional possible. I must say, he has put in a TON of work so far, and is really determined at making this a reality. Personally, I will be helping him as much as possible, and I encourage everyone who can to aid in this noble endeavor.

[Kyle Love]

I think that would be really cool to see happen. However, there would be one huge problem...I doubt many teams have the time or funds to go overseas for a regional. But if the money was available, I would push for us to go to it. But then again, I am a student and I can't speak for the team. Although sometimes I wish I could. Start some German teams and you wouldn't even needs us Americans to come to your regional. Hope you get it!

[Andy B]

WOW, that sounds awesome. One little piece of advice, people from our team have talked to the FIRST adviser for the Midwest region (about 7 states) and she said that it takes at least 18 months to plan for a new regional so my thinking is that 2006 is out of the question. However, this gives teams much better opportunity to plan for possibly going to an overseas regional in 2007.

I wish you the best of luck!!

[Steve W]

Something in your favor might be the fact that if there is another Israel regional then the field ship cost might be a bit lower. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.

[the_undefined]

Originally Posted by Andy B

WOW, that sounds awesome. One little piece of advice, people from our team have talked to the FIRST adviser for the Midwest region (about 7 states) and she said that it takes at least 18 months to plan for a new regional so my thinking is that 2006 is out of the question. However, this gives teams much better opportunity to plan for possibly going to an overseas regional in 2007.

I wish you the best of luck!!

In case that's true I'll have to figure out a way to come over to the US for the Competition next year before there is an european regional : ).

[unapiedra]

Originally Posted by the_undefined

In case that's true I'll have to figure out a way to come over to the US for the Competition next year before there is an european regional : ).

Verraeter!

[Silicon4]

Hello Christoph,

I am following your thread from Cologne. It looks like, that you need some help. Shall I contact the "Deutsche Messe AG", which is the organization who performs the CEBIT. Another good address will be the "Heinz Nixdorf Museumsforum".

More ideas I write to your mail firsteurope[at]gmail[dot]com.

Best regards
Carsten

[Denman]

hows it going at the moment?
it might be an idea to try and get some of copies of the team in a box
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...light=team+box
to help get some other temas started
Anyway, we arn't abck yet so i havn't talked to anyone on 759 since the nyc regional. I believe we have one guy who wants to set up antoher uk team.
Good luck, and keep in contact if you need any help, you have my mail