Atlanta tornado discussion

[Karthik]

This article was in today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/meetings0324.html

It's too early to determine which events booked at the GWCC will have to be canceled, including next month's Atlanta Journal-Constitution International Auto Show and FIRST Championship, a student science and technology competition, said Katy Pando, a spokeswoman for the GWCC. There are more than 30 events on the GWCC's calendar in April alone, including meetings at the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park.

We may not be out of the woods yet...

[Nawaid Ladak]

i remember back in 2006 reading something along the liens of

"FIRST is not responsible for any natural acts of god or any disasters preventing a competition from taking place. all payments are nonrefundable"

my mentor read it from the computer screen and we all laughed...(a little immoral because it was like 3 months after Katrina, but we've all grown up now haven't we?)

my question is... has anyone heard of this and is this still there somewhere in FIRST documents?

P.S. sorry for playing the role of devils advocate...

[KTorak]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised by a fine print detail like that.

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Karthik

This article was in today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/meetings0324.html



We may not be out of the woods yet...

That article seems almost self-contradictory. It implies that the Championship is in danger of being canceled, but later goes on to say how Building C is going to reopen this week. Seems kind of strange to me...

[dez250]

Originally Posted by lukevanoort

That article seems almost self-contradictory. It implies that the Championship is in danger of being canceled, but later goes on to say how Building C is going to reopen this week. Seems kind of strange to me...

A reason behind this has to do alot with what may be meant by "open". If a company board meeting only needs a single room in an "undamaged" section of the building that could be considered open, while FIRST or a trade show normally uses quite a bit of space there, which could result in the postponing or cancellation of that specific event. We all just have to wait for an offical announcment from the GWCC/Georgia Dome and FIRST to confirm event details.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Nawaid Ladak

i remember back in 2006 reading something along the liens of

"FIRST is not responsible for any natural acts of god or any disasters preventing a competition from taking place. all payments are nonrefundable"

my question is... has anyone heard of this and is this still there somewhere in FIRST documents?

It's still there, slightly reworded and in a slightly different context:

"FIRST is not responsible for cancellations or the inability of a team to travel due to weather, threat of terrorism, act of God and other events beyond FIRST's control."

It's part of the Refund Policy. This is a normal sort of legal disclaimer; I've seen it in many places. (Read your car or home insurance policies for examples.) FIRST doesn't include riots, insurrections, or wars, as I have seen elsewhere, but the phrase about "other events" would cover these items as well.

Of course this phrasing does make sense--no one wants to be held responsible for the results of events for which they are not responsible!

I'm sure the Georgia World Congress Center writes similar phrases into all its contracts. Regarding the impact on the Championship, here are my thoughts:

Although the GWCC Hall C is in better shape than the other halls, this does not guarantee that it will be available to FIRST. The GWCC decision makers must minimize losses. From a business perspective, this means that they must first of all accommodate the clients who spend the most money. As large as the Championship seems to us, the pits only occupy part of Hall C. If a larger group (whose members spend freely on food, drink, and utilities) is planning to use all of Hall B, and it's still being repaired, the GWCC could decide to minimize losses by moving that group to Hall C and booting FIRST out, or by squeezing the pits into an uncomfortable space. One would hope that the contract would prevent such a move, and/or that the GWCC would try to minimize negative publicity by avoiding such actions.

Based on the news reports I've been reading, I believe that the GWCC folks will try their best to accommodate as many of its clients as it can, including FIRST. But who knows how quickly the buildings will be repaired?

If, in spite of our hopes, the Championship does not take place, no one will be able to blame either FIRST or the GWCC, because the tornado wasn't their fault. But I think there is reason to hope that things will be worked out satisfactorily.

[billw]

It seems to me that the FTC and/or FLL events could be accommodated by a large hotel or numerous other facilities. FRC is another matter.

Also, I cannot understand why they do not keep us better informed. Both of the two large conventions that will be held had daily updates on their web sites which detailed the current situation. Why can't FIRST operate in a similar manner?

--Bill Wiley
Coach
FTC 14 - Vexy Things
FTC 13 - ACME Robotics - Sand Crawlers
FTC 12 - ACME Robotics - Weather Makers

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by billw

Also, I cannot understand why they do not keep us better informed. Both of the two large conventions that will be held had daily updates on their web sites which detailed the current situation. Why can't FIRST operate in a similar manner?

What sort of "daily updates" do you expect?

"Day nine: we are in contact with GWCC management."
"Day ten: we are waiting for GWCC management to make a firm commitment."
"Day eleven: we are waiting for GWCC management to make a firm commitment."
"Day twelve: we are waiting for GWCC management to make a firm commitment."

FIRST shouldn't put out information based on rumors, wishful thinking, or unofficial expectations. When there is news, there will be an update.

[billw]

I think it is entirely reasonable to expect that FIRST indicate what factors are prolonging this decision and when they anticipate making one. If nothing has changed day-to-day, then they can say that too.

As I mentioned, I also see the possibility of holding FLL and FRC elsewhere. I think that they should publicly address whether this is possible and whether they are making contingency plans.

As it stands, the price of air fares for our team has risen by $1400 while we wait.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by KarenH

Although the GWCC Hall C is in better shape than the other halls, this does not guarantee that it will be available to FIRST. The GWCC decision makers must minimize losses. From a business perspective, this means that they must first of all accommodate the clients who spend the most money. As large as the Championship seems to us, the pits only occupy part of Hall C. If a larger group (whose members spend freely on food, drink, and utilities) is planning to use all of Hall B, and it's still being repaired, the GWCC could decide to minimize losses by moving that group to Hall C and booting FIRST out, or by squeezing the pits into an uncomfortable space. One would hope that the contract would prevent such a move, and/or that the GWCC would try to minimize negative publicity by avoiding such actions.

I'm sure (well, hoping) there are contingency plans in place.

Such as last year when the wrap party was held in the GWCC because of the rain outside. Reservations for something like that aren't made a day or two out because the weather looks bad; rather they have (or at least should) be part of Plan B (or C) all along.

I'd imagine that would be much more likely to rent out the giant tents (a la back in the Disney days) if there really would be an issue with space in GWCC Building C. (Sure it might take some maneuvering to get them there on such a short notice (only a month), but I'm sure it could be done if FIRST is tenacious enough.) Then, as much non-critical stuff as possible would be moved out Building C, leaving just the pits, practice fields, and pit admin. These are critical, and must remain on the same floor as the GA Dome floor, unless we want to resurrect the ramps of doom.

And I really don't see the need to host FTC and FLL events elsewhere; the GA Dome is probably the least damaged building, and it's not critical that FTC or FLL teams' pits are on the same floor as the GA Dome floor. You could just put a tent in the courtyard, and have all their pits there, and have them walk down the stairs outside the GA Dome to the lower entrance,

Remember, while the Championship Event may include msotly FRC robots, there is a reason why it's called the FIRST Championship Event and not FRC Championship Event. There's no need to jip FTC and FLL teams of their chance enjoy the spotlight and to compete in the GA Dome alongside everyone else just so FRC can selfishly take over.


Edit: After looking over the info from the GWCC link Karen posted above, it would seem to me that FIRST would remain as one of the high priority events, since it would be considered an "international sporting event" drawing a lot of people (30,000+) in from outside Atlanta and Georgia (read: they want to you pump $$$ into their local economy), all potentially booked for 3-5 days of hotel rooms in the greater Atlanta area.

[MadeAtMidnight]

New update with good news:

http://www.usfirst.org/who/content.aspx?id=8626

"The FIRST Championship Schedule & Agenda
FIRST has been advised that all events will occur as previously scheduled. The originally scheduled dates and agenda for the Championship will not change.

The Georgia Dome
The damage done to the Georgia Dome will be repaired prior to the Championship.

The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC)
FIRST is working with the GWCC management to house our events, meetings, conferences, etc. inside the available space in the GWCC. Details on locations for various events will be published as soon as they are finalized with the GWCC."

[flyingcrayons]

hey. i know many teams mentioned the omni hotel. Here is a bulletin from their website.

Travel Advisory Notice:
The Omni Hotel at CNN Center is open following the tornado that swept through downtown Atanta on March 14, 2008 near Centennial Olympic Park. Our primary concern is our guests' safety, security, and comfort. Guests with confirmed reservations may call our toll-free number for an update and the status of your reservation.
For more information,
please call 888-444-OMNI (6664).


thought this might help teams who have reservations there.

[dangerousdave]

I have found very little new information concerning the state of downtown Atlanta in the past week. The good news of course, is that the Championship event will be held as scheduled.

To "Kims Robot" and many others who have responded here or via a message to me, I unfortunately have not had any luck with my 3 contacts. Yesterday, I received a response from the Atlanta Habitat For Humanity Special Events Manager. He advised me that Unfortunately, we do not have any volunteer opportunities available for groups during that time frame.

One of my other contacts has yet to respond to me so I will pass this on as I think it is the best contact. Hands On Atlanta appears to be the primary contact for the downtown rebuilding effort, so perhaps someone else on CD can get a response.

Dave

[dangerousdave]

The state of the city of Atlanta, 3 weeks after the tornado and some other Atlanta info can be found in this Mayor's Office newsbyte. Everyone have a safe trip to and from Atlanta.
Dave