why are lights so big this year? i wonder what it has to do w/ the game.
I’m not sure what’s more exciting. Having someone as high-profile as George W. Bush (whether you agree with his policies or not; and I’m aware Bush Sr. spoke at Championship a few years ago), Will.I.Am. again, or Stephen Colbert. Let’s hope for another hilarious Dean-Stephen interview in the future.
Aside from FIRST personnel and major sponsors, it looks like we’ll be seeing some big names. I’m…intrigued…to see what Stephen Colbert will bring to the table.
Great to see that will.i.am is back as well!
and other Special Guests
Wait for it…
Annnnnddd…cue speculation.
Maybe ColbertSuperPac will make a big donation. Their motto is making a better Tomorrow, Tomorrow; which seems like a motto for a good amount of teams. lol 
STEVE JOBS!
Special guests=a person. People drink water. Water game.
Too soon? 
I’d love to see that happen, though! Maybe Woz, since he supports FIRST robotics teams.
It is a bit too soon to mention Steve Jobs, but if Steve Jobs were part of FIRST- oh man that would have been awesome.
The one and only BILL CLINTON is going to be there. I wish I could go to kickoff up in NH.
This could be great for us. Colbert has a great way of mobilizing “Colbert Nation.” I know that he got them to donate somewhere around $300,000 to become the primary sponsor of US speed skating. Im not 100%, but I think he got his nation to vote for the naming of a space shuttle, and they won. If he puts FIRST on his show at all it would mean some huge exposure.
THE GAME PIECES ARE BEARS
Remember: this year’s kickoff is 100% pre-recorded! Unfortunately, going to NH wouldn’t guarantee that you would see him 
Which means THE ONE, and THE ONLY BILL CLINTON was there, not will be there. Go to NH all you want. He won’t be there anymore, and neither will Dean!
If I were you, truthfully, I’d go anyways. To be where Bill Clinton and Dean Kamen were in the same room together would be amazing! 
Somewhat disappointed to see Bush as a speaker, but Clinton and Colbert make up for it!
Well, I think it’s safe to say that this explains the pre-recording. The security to do even a fraction of this live would be prohibitive.
Can’t wait! This’ll be my first year going up to Manchester for the event.
Remember also that they didn’t film it there either. Remember, they talked about filming in Dean’s hangar?
I coulda swore they said some parts would still be live?
Not that I’ve heard. Folks at the kickoff in Manchester will see the NASA feed like everybody else, and then will have the opportunity to go down to the full competition field.
Uh… Dean will definitely be in NH… it’s where he lives AND there’s still a Manchester kickoff event…
Who knows who will be there?! Just because it’s pre-recorded doesn’t mean they won’t show up for the fun of it! I know I’ll be in Manchester.
Oh…yeah :o