# Kickoff

Each season, FIRST schedules a kickoff event (usually in the first half of September). Here in Florida, we host a live broadcast where we review region-specific news, show the official game announcement video, and provide commentary from our statewide head referees.

# Event Planning

Leagues are encouraged to plan in-person gatherings to watch the statewide broadcast and celebrate the new season. It's a great place for current & prospective students, current & prospective coaches, and league leaders to connect and network. Leagues may optionally plan other content before the broadcast, such as workshops and presentations.

In Florida, we're proud to produce a yearly kickoff broadcast for our Florida teams. Here is an example of a previous season broadcast.

Whether in-person at an event or viewing from home, teams watch the broadcast via YouTube. The start time of the broadcast will be communicated ahead of time for planning purposes.

Leagues considering an in-person gathering are encouraged to utilize an auditorium space. Rather than our traditional event spaces, look for a large screen to view the broadcast and a sound system that can support a large crowd.

In-person kickoff gatherings should be submitted to FIRST via the Region Manager event proposal process. This will be available around the time that registration opens for the new season (usually in May).

At the time of kickoff, most teams have not completed their registration with FIRST. This means that they will not be able to register for events in Region Manager. Leagues are encouraged to ask for RSVPs from teams outside of Region Manager for capacity planning purposes.

# Game Sets

Under certain conditions, leagues may have game sets available to show at their in-person kickoff events. Here's what is required:

• Responsible Party: Leagues must identify a responsible individual who can:
  • Sign and respect an NDA with FIRST related to game details
  • Receive a game set at their home without risk of exposure to participants
  • Inventory and construct the game set
  • Transport it to the kickoff event
  • Maintain secrecy until approximately 12:30pm ET on kickoff day
• Reveal Plan: Leagues must also have a plan to:
  • Maintain secrecy until approximately 12:30pm ET on kickoff day
  • Provide equitable access to the field for all attendees to observe and measure the field

When requesting a game set, please include information about the responsible party (including physical and email address) and the reveal plan.

# Ordering

Game sets pre-orders are typically available starting in May. By default, they will be delivered after kickoff. To receive a game set before kickoff, additional steps are necessary:

• If your league's finances are handled by the Orlando Robotics Foundation, contact AJ to request a game set. Include:
  • Name of the responsible party
  • Physical address of the responsible party
  • Email address of the responsible party
  • Reveal plan for the event
• If your league's finances are handled by a different entity, go ahead and order a single game set. Make sure not to include anything else in the order. Then, send the following to AJ:
  • Name and email address of the responsible party (must match the name on the order)
  • Confirmed order number from AndyMark
  • Reveal plan for the event

FIRST will send an electronic NDA signature request to the responsible party and authorize pre-kickoff shipment to AndyMark.

# Receiving

Pre-kickoff shipments are typically received 1–2 weeks before kickoff. It's important to open the order immediately and perform a full inventory of the included parts. Contact AndyMark (and cc AJ) immediately if anything is missing.