Agenda

Saturday 2/18/2017

Agenda (Final)

9:00 AM  doors open check in/inspection 

9:15 AM skills fields open 

11:30-12:15 skills fields close/Lunch 

12:15- 12:30 Drivers Meeting (first 5 matches on the field during the meeting) 

12:30-2:30 Qualifying matches (8 Qualifying matches per team)

2:30-3:00 Break

3:00-5:00 Qualifying matches continue 

5:15- Finals (Top 26 teams/13 alliances)

5:30 Awards

**Always pay attention to match numbers not times

**For STEM presentation times interfering with matches, the STEM presentation will take priority the match we be run at a later time. 

Volunteer

Volunteer info and sign up will be aviable soon 

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

The State Championship will go on rain or shine as Feb is not in hurricane season!

Refund and Payment Policies

No Refunds 

Date: 18-Feb-2017

Travel Info

 Preferred hotels http://m.floridastatefair.com/p.aspx?pID=about/preferred-hotels&

Past Emails Sent to teams

Clarification on tickets:

The Florida state fair is going on at the same time, all spectators, coaches, mentors, and participants need a ticket to enter the fairgrounds.  The Fair has provided 5 free tickets per team, Teams who do not need the 5 tickets please only take the amount needed! We had to guess on the amount of tickets needed and its looking like we are going to be tight with the number of allotted tickets. After or during the event you can enter the fairgrounds to enjoy.  

Teams/spectators needing extra tickets you can purchase discounted tickets online here or at Walgreens until February 8th   

The process for picking up tickets was covered in the previous email.

New Information below

Tickets and Entrance  *VERY IMPORTANT*

Each team will receive 5 tickets used to enter the fairgrounds, these must be picked up at the tent outside of the special gate (1A) day of the event. Teams will be marked off once a representative from that team collects the tickets. Please determine who within your group will pick up the tickets. We will not a have a list of “approved” people to get the tickets, they will be given to the first representative from that team who arrives. They will be required to sign for the tickets,  I have also provided a map, I’m not 100% on the location of gate 1A.  I was told they are setting up this special entrance close to the event center for teams.  Only people with tickets can use this gate, if you need to purchase a ticket the day of the event you will need to use the main gate and purchase tickets at the box office.  Advanced tickets can be purchased at Walgreens at a reduced price until February 8th.  Teams who do not need the 5 tickets please only take the amount needed! We had to guess on the amount of tickets needed and its looking like we are going to be tight with the number of allotted tickets.

Inspection

There will be no inspection the night before the competition like last year.  We have a late load in time on Thursday and must breakdown and set of for IQ directly after VRC’s event of Friday, all volunteers will be setting up at the venue.

Volunteers

We still need volunteers! If every team provided just one volunteer for their team we would have 200 volunteers for this event. Currently only about 6 teams are represented in the volunteers. Students are expected to work through the competition on their own with minimal guidance from a coach/teacher/mentor. Also keep in mind that the pit area is not for parents, but rather 1 assigned coach/mentor/teacher per team. Many volunteer positions are in the morning only, or allow you to be right up close to the competition.

Please pass this email along to anyone that can help, sign up links below.  

VRC Setup/Supplies Thursday

VRC Competition Day FRIDAY  (Includes Set up for IQ on Friday night)

IQ Competition Day SATURDAY

Agenda  

We are adjusting the agenda right now because of the large influx of teams, we will finalize the agenda after Saturday (2/4) when all events have concluded, scores are posted and we know the exact number of teams in each division.

We will be update information on robotevnets.com Facebook Page and Twitter

First Email Below

Teams, Parents, Students, and Mentors

We have been working extremely hard on this year’s VEX Robotics Florida State Championship. Below is a great deal of important information, please ensure you pass it along to all qualified teams, parents, students, and mentors.

Dates:  VRC Middle and High School competition Friday 2/17/17

               IQ Middle and Elementary competition Saturday 2/18/17

               Doors Open for teams 9:00 AM

               Location: Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Center (same location as last year)

Volunteering:  Remember robotics events do not run smoothly or efficiently without volunteers, please help us and volunteer by clicking the links below. This will take you to the Sign Up genius page. Please review the volunteer categories carefully, and if you know of retired teachers, former teachers, current teachers or college students who can assist with judging of notebooks and STEM presentations, please pass the information on to them. This is always the hardest area to fill.

VRC Setup/Supplies Thursday

VRC Competition Day FRIDAY  (Includes Set up for IQ on Friday night)

IQ Competition Day SATURDAY

Set up:

We need help setting up if you are in the area, we can load in equipment at 4:30 PM Thursday, also any VRC teams that can help take down VRC fields and set up IQ Friday night is appreciated. Saturday night will be another tear down day.

Hotels:

There are multiple hotels in the area if you are in need of lodging. Here are links to some of the hotel chains which are close to the facility. Please keep in mind because the state fair is going on the hotel prices are at a premium. For cheaper rates, you will need to look further away from the fairgrounds area.

seminolehardrocktampa.com

redroof.com

laquintatampafairgrounds.com

choicehotels.com

Traffic:

Traffic can be a problem during the fair, especially on the weekends. Some major roads are shut down in certain directions to accommodate the traffic flow. Please plan accordingly and plan to arrive at the fairgrounds early so you can be checked in and pass inspection in a reasonable time.

Robot Travel:

If you are traveling with your robot in your vehicle, please ensure it is tied down or secured. There have been situations in which a team’s robot has left the vehicle while in transit which is not only dangerous for those on the road, but detrimental to the success of their team at the competition.

Day of Event Information:

Check-In and Inspection will close at a specific time. Please check the agenda posted on robot events a week before the competition for the most up to date time information.

We will be running match lists early the day of the event. This will allow teams to receive their match list the day of the event at check in and have more time to meet with the teams they are paired with. HOWEVER, if teams fail to check in on time, or do not show for the event, new match lists will need to be run the morning of the event and this will take considerable time. If for any reason you do not anticipate coming to the event, please email me and let me know.

Videos:

It’s always a good idea to have the students watch the referee videos to brush up on the rules of the game. This prevents a lot of confusion on the day of the game.

Strastruck

Cossover

Times: The agenda is being updated to reflect the most accurate information please check back often, doors will open to teams at 9AM, 1 hour lunch around 12 noon.  Volunteers only will be allowed in at 8:00 am.

Parking: Parking is free, Use the parking lot directly off 301 across from the holiday inn express.

Judges pass: We are working on a system with judging to allow teams that are in line for skills that are pulled for judging to get back in line.

Food: Just outside the entertainment center, tons of fair food will be available.  Also the concession stand in the event center will be serving food.  (no outside food please)

Apparel:

We are using the same company from last year for apparel. We have a new logo this year and we will post more information as the time approaches.

STEM Project: (IQ Teams only) Stay tuned more info to come soon!

Floor Plan

Social Media

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