Agenda

>>Subject to Change<< 

Agenda link

Sunday, December 28

• 2:00 PM:Doors Open
• 2:30 PM:Team Registration and Inspection Opens
• 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM:Skills Open
• 7:00 PM:Venue Closes

Monday, December 29

• 7:30 AM:Doors Open & Inspection Opens
• 8:30 AM:Inspection Closes
• 8:30 AM:Opening Ceremony
• 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM:Qualification Matches and Skills
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM:Lunch
• 1:00 PM – 6:45 PM:Qualifying matches and Skills
• 7:00 PM:Venue Closes

Tuesday, December 30

• 7:30 AM:Doors Open
• 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM:Qualification Matches and Skills Resume
• 10:00 AM:Alliance Selection
• 10:45 AM:Elimination Tournament and awards Ceremony
• 5:30 PM - 10:00 pm :Discount tickets to PHX Zoolights available

Volunteer

To help us coordinate with all volunteers before the event, we’re managing sign-ups through the QCRF website.

You’ll need to create an account using a valid phone number and email address.

Once registered, you’ll receive updates and important information leading up to the event.

Sign up to volunteer at the QCRF website: https://qcrf.org/volunteer

Thank you for being part of this effort—we couldn’t do it without you!

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

As we are in Arizona, it is extremely unlikely the event will be cancelled due to weather. If an emergency occurs, we will notify everyone registered.

Refund and Payment Policies

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

Due to the high costs involved with this event, a refund will only be offered after all the event expenses have been paid. 

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event, then chooses to withdraw or not attend:

No refunds will be provided. Payment is due by October 1st, and if teams move off the waitlist after that date, they will submit payments immediately upon registering. 

Date: 28-Dec-2025 - 30-Dec-2025

Travel Info

Hotel: Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa - Book Here

Location & Appeal
Nestled adjacent to the Mesa Convention Center, this stylish hotel offers seamless access to local attractions—including the Mesa Amphitheater, Mesa Arts Center, spring-training baseball stadiums, museums, shops, and more.

Comfort & Amenities

• Rooms & Suites
  Updated, pet-friendly guestrooms and suites feature smart TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, daily bottled water, air conditioning, refrigerator, safe, laptop-friendly workspace, and modern décor.

• On-Site Perks

  • AZ Brew Coffee Bar (serving Starbucks, breakfast pastries, lunch, dinner, cocktails)

  • Grab-and-go market for snacks or quick bites

  • Outdoor heated pool with lounge area and whirlpool—complimentary towels and 6 AM–10 PM access

  • 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight training equipment

  • Restaurant & bar/lounge offering à la carte, buffet, and local specialties

  • Free self-parking, meeting/event spaces, business center, laundry facilities, concierge, and 24-hour front desk

This combination of thoughtful amenities and location makes it perfect for business travel, events, and family stays.

Getting to the Mesa Convention Center from the Airports

From Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)

• Drive or Taxi/Uber/Lyft: Around 20–30 minutes to the hotel and convention center.

• Shuttle Options: Shared-ride shuttles start at approximately $29–$37 one way.

Note: There are no direct public transit routes from AZA to the Mesa Convention Center.

From Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

1. PHX Sky Train to Valley Metro Rail

   • Board the free PHX Sky Train from your terminal to the Valley Metro light rail station (44th Street Station).

   • From there, switch to the Valley Metro A Line heading east toward Mesa.

2. Disembark Options Near the Convention Center

   • Center/Main St Station: Just a 1–2 block walk from the Mesa Convention Center—most convenient option.

   • Other Nearby Stops: Alma School/Main St (~12 min walk) or several bus stops a 5–10 min walk away (e.g. Center St & 1st St, University Dr & Center St)

3. Rail Frequency & Hours

   • The light rail runs every 12–20 minutes and operates approximately 18–22 hours per day—very reliable for travel.

Webcast

Vex U 2025 - Diamond in the Desert - Day 1

Vex U 2025 - Diamond in the Desert - Part 2

Judging Format

All Remote Judging - The Initial Team Interviews will be conducted remotely, and Engineering Notebooks will be submitted to judges digitally via a link found within the "My Account" panel of the team contact.  Initial Interviews and Notebook submission deadlines may be scheduled ahead of the event date.  Additional team interviews will be in person at the event.

Signature Event Early Bird Policy

All Signature Events will have a specific Early Bird Registration that is independent of all local/regional Early Bird systems.

• Each team starts the season with three (3) opportunities to register during the Signature Event Early-Bird period.

  • A Signature Event Early-Bird opportunity is not taken away if a team registers for a tournament hosted by their school or organization (where the team’s coach is the Event Partner).

  • If a team registers during the Standard Registration period, a token is not taken away.

• The official Signature Event Early Bird policy can be found on the REC Library.

• To find out how many Signature Event Early Bird tokens your team(s) have remaining, select the "My Teams" option in RobotEvents.

Waitlist

2 teams are on the waitlist for this event.