Fwd: Maker Faire FTCquel - Exhibit 3372 - Final Details!

[Kristin Berbawy]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jill Wilker <ji...@playingatlearning.org>

Subject: Maker Faire FTCquel - Exhibit 3372 - Final Details!

Date: May 15, 2013 8:43:47 PM PDT

To: Irvington Robotics Club <irvingto...@gmail.com>

Cc: "f...@playingatlearning.org" <f...@playingatlearning.org>

 Kristin,
 
A few final details as we gear up for Maker Faire!   We are excited and hope you are as well.   Please share this with everyone coming.


We are in  FIESTA HALL    Exhibit #3372 .   We are not in Expo Hall as the last couple of years.   Here is a generic map of Fiesta Hall  - we are in a side room labeled "1b".    Here is the Maker Faire event map - in Fiesta Hall,  near the Robotics tag :-)


If you need to reach Mark or I anytime between now and over the weekend,  the best is to text my cellphone at 510-517-8826.   Please let me know who you are when you text -  a message from an unknown number doesn't help much.   I will confirm/reply that I received your text.


There are 3 details that you will need to finish off before the event - ie today if possible. tomorrow is okay. 

1)  Maker participation agreement (will need to be completed by all participants, students and adults, volunteers, helpers)
             (this was sent to coaches Tuesday)   Completed agreements need to be emailed/faxed to Playing At Learning as soon as possible.  
             Email to teaminfo@playingatlearning is best  OR BRING WITH YOU on FRIDAY  
2) Finishing payments (if not already completed)
3) Final count of all participants (students and adults) -   ASAP!



Maker Faire event details:

We will be setting up Friday starting at noon and welcome help from all those that can come -  right now it is Jill and 2 others.  [Mark is in SF on Friday until late afternoon]  HELP is needed!  Please!    Pretty Please!



Important:  Fiesta Hall's main area will be "Lights Off"   ie dark.    We recommend coming in to the building by using the South Entrance  (side closest to Expo Hall)  or possibly the West Foyer,  (side closest to Delaware Avenue, opposite side of the main parking lot on Saratoga Avenue).  


We expect/require every team member,  coach, volunteer and helper to wear the custom "FTCquel"  shirt  both days - while in our area.   Hopefully you will also wear the FTCquel shirt while you are wandering around during your breaks as well.    A big part of the Maker Faire for us is the opportunity to spread awareness about FTC and FIRST.      We are likely to have a few extra shirts to sell at cost if you don't want to wear the same shirt two days in a row.


Over the weekend, we would like to run through at least 5 matches per team, possibly 6.   However, the big unknown is the techno band,  ArcAttack.  Their stage is in the main part of Fiesta Hall and we are  a bit worried about possible white noise interference with their large Tesla coils.    We will try to determine this by Friday before we leave in order to figure out alternatives if we have to.   Bring your Gracious Professionalism, positive attitude and flexibility -  we will have a great time in spite of any challenges that the venue/event throws at us.   And don't forget your safety glasses and closed toed shoes please.


Your gear/equipment is your responsibility -    In years' past,  we have not had any issues with people "messing" with our equipment.   It is recommended that if you have a storage container for your robot that you bring it and keep the robot there when you are not in the pits.  I would not leave things like tools, laptops, etc laying around but they have been fine in a storage box under your pit table.   However,  we are in a side room in a darkened building which may or may not make a difference -  we just don't know.     


For your pit area:   Each team will be given a 6' table, no chairs, and access to exactly 1 power outlet.  The table is likely to be wood and "splintery" - a cover might be nice to bring so that no one has to tweezer out a wood splinter.    Please bring a power strip and bring chairs if you want to sit down!    [which frankly you will]


Lines for food can be long - there are great food choices but the lines can be long.    You can bring food and beverages through the gate if you come before the public enters.   They tend to look the other way for the makers but only before the faire opens - you won't be able to bring in a cooler or anything and no glass items please.    Alternatively, You can leave a cooler / food in your car and go out and eat in the parking lot and then come back in. 


Each team will be given exactly 1 parking pass  (unless you purchased additional ones).     Note that the pass does not guarantee that there will be space in the Saratoga parking lot     (unfortunately).   If you get there early, it should not be a problem.     No pass -  parking is $20 per car, per day.   


The rough schedule (ie may change!)

Friday  -  No entry or parking passes needed to be on site on Friday.  If asked,  we are exhibit # 3372.    Jill will hand teams their passes, tshirts, pins.
- Setup  Noon to 4pm 
- Inspection & Practice 4pm to 8pm     We strongly encourage everyone to come Friday for inspection and get their passes!  


Saturday   - Everyone must have entry passes.  Entry can be done through any gate.  .  Before hours, you may be asked for your exhibit #.  It is 3372.    The Maker Entry passes will allow early entry and it is strongly strongly recommended to come early!  If you try to time your arrival to be  "just in time",  you may be up to an hour late due to traffic/parking being crazy  (yes, it can be that crazy!!).

- Teams need to be on site no later than 9:30am for driver meeting and check-in  (unless you have not yet passed inspection, then come earlier!) 
- Match schedule generated 9:45am   (ie inspection closes by 9:30am)
- Matches  ~10:15am to 12pm
- Public Demos   12:15pm to 1:45pm    [Team break time!]
- Matches 2pm to 3:30pm
- Public Demos   3:45pm to 5:45pm     [Team break time!]
- Matches 6pm to 8pm


Sunday:
- Matches 10am to 12pm
- Alliance Selection 12:15pm
- Public Demos   12:30pm to 2:15pm    [Team break time!]
- Playoff Matches 2:30pm to 4pm
- Public Demos   4pm to 5pm    [Team break time!]
- Awards 5:30pm to 6pm
- Teardown/Packout 6pm til done (~7:30pm to 8pm)   -  we will need your help!




A final word:   
We love Maker Faire and hope you do as well.   If you interact with any of the Maker Faire staff,  please THANK THEM for allowing us the extra space, extra resources and everything that they do to support us and the FTCquel competition  - particularly Kate.  She is awesome and amazing and friendly  in helping all of the makers, including us with all of the logistics and details.  



Jill & Mark
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