10th to 12th of January 2013 -Mechatrons RoD Dublin, Ireland

[teamstorm]

Pete, am doing my best to pull this together.

I'll see where I get to at the end of the week, but I seriously doubt with an arbitary 1 week deadline imposed to turn something around we'll be able to get the buy in of the organisations we would need to make this work even though they are interested; which would be a shame.

At least it sounds like things will be sorted out for teams going well in advance this year though, I know in previous years things were all a little last min.

[mechatrons]

Great. Let me know how you get on.

[terry]

Ed, I could take 5 heavies and 2 people inc me, in my van would just need rooms and 1 ferry crossing paid for all them.
Would that help ? Don't think the weight would get any more in the van, obviously I will not be going otherwise as Pete would not pay for me in my van with 1 robot I have not filled put any forms yet either.

[teamstorm]

All, I've done my best, but with the time constraint imposed of just 5 working days to pull something together it's not going to be possible, the organisations that we would have to work with - despite showing considerable interest, simply don't move that fast - which was to be expected.

I can only assume that it's already been decided who is attending as we have had some emails from excited fans looking forward to seeing us there which I traced back to the Press Release linked below, we're certainly looking forward to attending, and hope that even without the opportunity to use the funding more efficiently there will be plenty of other 'first time' robots there this year.

http://www.btyoungscientist.com/visit-t ... otwars.pdf

Pete, having seen the press release; it might be worth mentioning that giving undue-promenance to the name 'Robot Wars' and suggesting that the event is being run by anyone 'in association with Robot Wars' is a dangerous route to go. Passing off, or using the name in bad faith risks incurring the wrath of Profile Racords. I've sent you a link to a summary of that judgement just FYI for you to pass on to your stakeholders.

Anyway, I'll happily look into it for next year as I've made the connections needed to pull this together now

[mechatrons]

No decisions have been yet. We can postpone the booking to next Thursday if that will help you but after that the costs go up and we cant take the risk on losing teams.

You are free to write up an entry for this year's press release. Winning entry gets a goodie bag.

[teamstorm]

Pete, I've already thanked the ferry companies for their assistance and gracefully retracted from talking to them, as well as hotels - given the extreme pressure I put them under, it would not be professional for me to now go back to them and say thanks for moving heaven and earth, I know I said we had 5 days and you had to escalate this within your company in good faith, but now we have more..... - that's not a credible way of operating.

With my extensive experience of managing sponsorhsip relationships I know it will just them off and risk the chance of us being seen as credible for next year. It's a shame that it turns out now there was more time as I'm sure you looked to give us as much time as possible to make arrangements and the last post was fairly clear in terms of timescales.

If no deciscions have been made yet as to whom is attending, why does the advertising carry the details of the teams attending, including TV favourites such as .. Robot Wars World Champions: Storm 2 and the reigning Irish Champion, Iron Awe 5 ? on the website supporting this year's event.

http://www.btyoungscientist.com/visit-the-exhibition/ (click link to Robot Wars towards bottom)

Given we've not attended in previous years (so this can't be last years information), I'm assuming this can only be about this years event which we've applied for ?

[mechatrons]

Its a pity you retracted because we still have to use ferry and hotels in all cases. It would have been easier to modify the logistics than cancel everything. I hope that it has not jeopardised our discussions.

That press release is from last January. Storm 2 was supposed to attend but didn't make it.

[teamstorm]

POST DELETED as I realised I can't be bothered any more

[mechatrons]

Sorry Ed. in my last post I was in a hurry and I forgot to say thanks for all the hard work you did trying to make it happen for the good of the community! Like I said, its a pity that time is too short for this year, maybe we can get it sorted for next year though.

Selections are currently being made and notifications are on the way shortly.

I did notice that Terry has offered some space. Perhaps we could set up some kind of pool here. Post if you have space to share, post if you have some robots but need transport or willing to pool to make a bigger team of robots.

I think you should fill out the forms and we can help put people in touch with each other.

Also, we do have budget for hotels and food even if you have to split the cost the ferry.

Let's make the best of what we have and have a great time in Dublin.

[terry]

My last post was wrong, I can take 2 people + me aswell. And 5 heavies including toxic2. They would have to meet me onroute to ferry or my house in Norfolk, or I could take robots if dropped off before event aswell.