Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about Robofest Site
Hosting
What is the cost to host a Robofest Contest? Robofest will send you almost everything you need directly
related to the contest.� We will send
trophies, medals, frames & certificates, signs, name tags, t-shirts for
site volunteers, and even a small gift for all of your volunteers.� We will ship parts of playing field materials
to you as well.� (To help save on the
cost of shipping, we ask site hosts to purchase the balance of playing field
materials that are needed for your site.�
Just send us the receipts and we will reimburse you for the playing
field material expenses).� If you do not
have tables and chairs at your facility, you will have to rent them and we are
not able to reimburse rental fees.� We
know that volunteer time for you and your staff is priceless.� Beyond the above expenses, the cost is
basically nothing.� You will be in the
black.
Is there any revenue received as a Site Host? You will have income sources.� You may have your own site sponsors.� We will develop a webpage for your contest
site with your site sponsor logos.� You
may have a concession stand to sell food and beverages.� You can also have the opportunity to sell
Robofest promotional items such as t-shirts, gifts, etc. if you are
interested.� Another source of income is
a $20 registration fee that each site may charge teams at check-in.� This check-in fee is optional for each site.�
What Types of Facility do I need for a Site?� We suggest
a facility such as a gym.� You may also
use a large multipurpose room such as a cafeteria or banquet room if it has
consistent lighting.� (Rooms with large
skylights or uncovered window are not recommended as the direct sun light can affect
robot performance.)� The room must be
large enough to accommodate a table for each team, official playing fields,
practice playing fields, exhibition area, judging tables, and audience
seating.� We will limit the number of
teams at your site based on your facility size.�
Gyms work the best because you can utilize the in-house sound system and
scoreboard for timing the games.� Some
locations may need to rent tables and chairs, we suggest 6ft
or 8ft tables, but you may use round banquet tables,
whatever you have available.� (Sorry, we
are unable to reimburse for the rental of tables.) ��LTU will provide you with a suggested floor
plan diagram to help you plan your event.�
A copy of the Robofest 2007 floor plan can be found at http://www.robofest.net/2007/GymFloorLayout07.doc, for your
information.
What are the Days and Times of Robofest Contests? We would suggest all
Who will compete at our Contest Site?� If you expect at
least 5 teams at your site, you are qualified to become a host. As the site host, you can select the number of teams, age
divisions, and categories that you would like to host.� Robofest offers 8 categories/divisions as you
can find in the host application form. We recommend selecting around 1 ~ 3
categories/divisions in order to complete the whole event in 4 hours. We will work with you to identify
the right number of teams for your location.�
Robofest Teams select their own contest site when they register on-line
on the Robofest website.� Robofest will
work to promote your site location and send mailings to schools in your area.� You will receive a password that will give
you access to the team registration information for your site.� You will have the ability to view team
information and send teams registered at your site e-mail messages pertinent to
your contest site.
How many Volunteers do I need for my Site? Robofest will work with you to identify how many volunteers
you need for your contest site to run smoothly.�
The number of volunteers needed is dependent on the types of divisions and
number of teams that you choose to host at your site.� Robofest has an on-line volunteer
registration system that will identify the number of volunteers needed at your
site and provide you with a job description for each volunteer.� Volunteers can go to the registration system
and enter their own information.� As the
Site Host, you will receive administrator privileges to use the volunteer
registration system to send all of your volunteers
e-mails as well as view volunteer information.
How do I Train Robofest Judges? Robofest will offer Judges training through on-line
animations of the game competition, through a webcast
for judges, video-conference, and streaming video.� Robofest also has a warm up competition for
Judges who can travel to LTU to judge practice rounds.
Do I need a
DJ for my Site? �We prefer that you use an
in-house sound system and do not hire a DJ.�
We
have found that the music can be distracting to teams while they are solving
problems.� We
ask each site to have an Emcee that presides over the event and makes the major
announcements to teams and the audience.
Do I Need to Prepare a Printed Program for my Site? We ask site hosts to prepare an on-site printed program for
the day of the contest.� This program
identifies your site sponsor, Robofest sponsors, and the teams participating at
your site.� This program can be created
as a word document and run on your photocopier.�
We will supply you with a template file with the team information and
Robofest sponsor logos.� A sample program
from a warm-up competition 2007 can be found at �http://www.robofest.net/2007/07Warm-UpProgram.doc
What is the Robofest Exhibition? The Exhibition is an opportunity for students to demonstrate
any type of robotics project. Robots can dance, play the piano, make
hamburgers, play soccer, etc. We encourage full creativity.
Is
there a Check-List for Site Host Requirements?� Yes, we will send you one for
2008 hosts.� As an example, the Robofest
2007 Site Host checklist fore event logistics planning� can be found at http://www.robofest.net/2007/CheckList07SiteHosts.doc
10-15-07