2008 Greater Toronto Regional!

[Graham Donaldson]

Another question from 1676: Communication. How do American teams communicate with each other at Canadian regionals? Cell phone prices are outrageous, and as far as I know, we can't have radios (walkie-talkie's) at the competition. My guess would be just to send runners to find someone, but I'm not sure.

In addition, are there any other tips American teams that have been to Canadian regionals before have for our team? Since we (my family) are Canadian, we have an idea, but we certainly don't know everything.

[Vince lau]

bring a warm jacket, from past exerience (i've been to every Canadian Regional/GTR since it started) we had snow on the first day of the competition and by saturday its warm and sunny outside. I think for the first few years it was always cold on the first day when we had to wait outside to get in open the crates.
can't think of anything else, but if you have anymore questions feel free to ask

For all teams if you need to do a food/parts run you can find me in team 1605's pit ask for Vince and I can take one of your mentors with me

[Steve W]

Originally Posted by Vince lau

bring a warm jacket, from past exerience (i've been to every Canadian Regional/GTR since it started) we had snow on the first day of the competition and by saturday its warm and sunny outside. I think for the first few years it was always cold on the first day when we had to wait outside to get in open the crates.
can't think of anything else, but if you have anymore questions feel free to ask

For all teams if you need to do a food/parts run you can find me in team 1605's pit ask for Vince and I can take one of your mentors with me

Remember no food is to be brought into the arena.

[Vince lau]

Originally Posted by Steve W

Remember no food is to be brought into the arena.

that is correct, we usually eat in the parking lot, hopefully it will be warm outside

[Racer26]

Hey Travis, how come 48 isn't coming to GTR this year... it won't be the same without you guys.

Hopefully 1075 will meet up with you at an offseason... maybe Wonderland (if it happens) or Kettering or RaChaCha.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

Hey Travis, how come 48 isn't coming to GTR this year... it won't be the same without you guys.

Hopefully 1075 will meet up with you at an offseason... maybe Wonderland (if it happens) or Kettering or RaChaCha.

We decided after 6 years of supporting the event since its inception, it was time to change things up a bit for our "far" regional to give the kids a bit of variety. What we may do is rotate between Midwest and GTR here and there, depending on how the regional schedule works out from year to year. I'd be inclined to go to both in the same year, but that's another story.

The Midwest Regional was an all-around great experience for us - very comparable to the GTR with a new fun setting in the city of Chicago. Plus it was like GTR South with the three Canadian teams in attendance.

Canada's Wonderland (if they arrange for it this year - I'd bet on it) and Kettering Kickoff are definite possibilities this offseason, although in not taking a bus, I think any of our students going to Wonderland would have to have a passport - that may be a hindrance. We also hope to go to IRI, as usual.

Best of luck to all who compete at the GTR, which, given the many dedicated volunteers who work their butts off to plan it, will continue to be an excellent event, with or without 48 in attendance. A special shout out to fellow Delphi teams 378, 703, and 1507, who will all be competing there.

[Bochek]

so does anyone know if GTR is 1 field or 2 this year?

[T3_1565]

I haven't seen anywhere saying that there is two fields so I am assuming there is only one. Can anyone comfirm??

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by robotcanuck1676

Another question from 1676: Communication. How do American teams communicate with each other at Canadian regionals? Cell phone prices are outrageous, and as far as I know, we can't have radios (walkie-talkie's) at the competition. My guess would be just to send runners to find someone, but I'm not sure.

In addition, are there any other tips American teams that have been to Canadian regionals before have for our team? Since we (my family) are Canadian, we have an idea, but we certainly don't know everything.

I wouldn't be too worried about this, yes, GTR is held in the biggest venue I've been to a FIRST event in, but its usually not a problem, as long as you organize where your team members are going to be in the stands. (Yes, I know, Atlanta, but 1075 has never been... no money)

Cell Phone prices are outrageous for all us non-mississauga canadian teams too, I know my cell phone will kill me for roaming if I use it... Also, if cell phones ARE your way of communication, I believe text messaging with most US carriers is only about 15 cents a message when you're in canada. Of course, check with your specific carrier to be sure.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by robotcanuck1676

Another question from 1676: Communication. How do American teams communicate with each other at Canadian regionals? Cell phone prices are outrageous, and as far as I know, we can't have radios (walkie-talkie's) at the competition. My guess would be just to send runners to find someone, but I'm not sure.

In addition, are there any other tips American teams that have been to Canadian regionals before have for our team? Since we (my family) are Canadian, we have an idea, but we certainly don't know everything.

Most important advice to American teams (which won't apply this year):

If it's anywhere near April 1st, beware of individuals with funny-colored hair. They come bearing false and temporarily disturbing information.

As for communication, we always just bit the bullet and used our cell phones - some phones (including my Sprint phone) didn't work at all. I believe you need a GSM phone to even have a chance at roaming. Perhaps that has changed.

Also - AVOID THE ETR 407 (Express Toll Route). The people running that scam like to steal American money and line their pockets with it. There are no toll booths - they use cameras to record your license plate - you'll get a lovely bill in the mail at your home.

There are many useful stores in the vicinity of the Hershey Centre - huge grocery stores, a Home Depot, etc. Ask the locals.

Lick's (great hamburger joint) and Montana's on Hurontario (between 401 and 403) are good places to eat - all in the same plaza. There's also a good pizza place there, whose name escapes me.

If you get a chance to go to Niagara Falls, go. It makes a great side trip. Typically you should stop there for a few hours on the way into Canada.

I can't think of anything else to "watch out for" at the GTR. It's so well organized and operated, you really have to search for things to complain about.

Have fun!

[T3_1565]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

Also - AVOID THE ETR 207 (Express Toll Route). The people running that scam like to steal American money and line their pockets with it. There are no toll booths - they use cameras to record your license plate - you'll get a lovely bill in the mail at your home.

LOL.. That's the 407 actually not the 207 and yes it is a scam.. even for us Canadians. It's actually to aviod the traffic Toronto gets during Rush Ho... wait....anytime in the day....

I think the best best for communication, is to know where everyone is sitting (or the majority of people) and do runs.. and if you have to use something else, texting seems the way to go!

Have Fun and See you there!!

reminder to let all the media know about this week's events at the Hershey centre, that means start pounding all the TV and radio stations, newspapers, wire services, community cable 10 (rogers) and send those press releases to those assignment desks, producers and news directors and tell them WHY they should put a reporter on the story and how about some story ideas? angles? interesting story about someone on you're team or you're team.....something that makes this a story.

I am going to try and be there, for Global news in Toronto and if not me personally I have and keep promoting the story idea all week and to the weekend crew for Saturday as well, I also shoot for the Weather Network and with the snowy winter we have had here I have leads on two teams that almost didn't make it due to road closures due to the snowstorms so I am going to try hard to get to come down to the GTR and shoot a ton of video and clips and get it on the air.

I can't speak for the other stations but I am sure others will make sure they are aware of the event.

In news the sad reality is that it's really tough to get coverage for something that is good......but both Global and TWN obviously are heavy into weather so I am going to play the weather angle as my way of getting them interested.

and when contacting media...TV, radio, local papers, major papers, wire services in adddtion to telling what this is all about you have to make sure they know what they will see and hear at the event and how big it really is or they won't chance it and send a camera and reporter.

I work in news and I have a heck of a time selling any ideas so you got to come up with something interesting to get them....interested in covering this story.

Explain what FIRST is well and that is a good start and then if there is something special about you're team or a team member...put that in as well and of course team number and contact info, if a crew can't find you at the venue in 10 minutes flat.....they won't keep looking, depending on the reporter make that 1 min and 45 seconds and I am being kind

[Mr. Lim]

Mark's right. It's time to put up or shut up when it comes to Dean's homework. We need as many people to hit the news outlets, and come up with as many angles to cover FIRST as possible.

Tech, human interest, business, weather, anything!

Here are some Toronto news room e-mail addresses to get started with:

news@citynews.ca
http://www.cbc.ca/local_includes/tor...x_toronto.html
science@ctv.ca
news@ctv.ca
globalnews.tor@globaltv.com
city@thestar.ca
torsun.citydesk@sunmedia.ca

If you have any more, please post them to this thread!

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[VEN]

gah, was I WRONG or what?