FIRST^® LEGO^® League Explore
Team Update 

Hi Friend, 

We are so excited to welcome you to the FIRST^®  LEGO^®  League Explore World Festival at the FIRST^®  Championship presented by BAE Systems in Houston, Texas, USA, on April 19-22! Below is important information that will be helpful to you and your team as you plan your trip. 

🤖 Items in green are specifically for teams outside the United States and Canada. 

🤖 Items in blue are specifically for United States and Canadian teams.

🤖 Items in yellow require action by ALL teams. 

Welcome!
The FIRST Championship is a culminating celebration for teams from all FIRST programs. From April 19-22, teams from around the globe will be together in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Many activities are in the works to encourage teams to visit and support the other FIRST programs – we will share information about these activities with you in the coming weeks.

Hotel Accommodations and Badging:
FIRST is proud to partner with housing & travel experts, ConferenceDirect to bring you more than 30 FIRST-reviewed hotel locations for teams, volunteers, and all attendees to choose from during the 2023 FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas.

When you book your housing with FIRST, your team:
🤖 Receives guaranteed low rates
🤖 Rests east at FIRST-reviewed hotels
🤖 Enjoys convenient FIRST-contracted amenities at most hotels including complimentary parking, Wi-Fi, and breakfast
🤖 Gets reservation protection and assistance before, during, and after your stay if any unexpected challenges occur.
🤖 Gains flexibility to make booking adjustments and pay later.

Find information, hotel locations, and instructions for booking your team room blocks in Houston here.

Action Required – Payment Deadline:
A payment of $500.00 USD is required to secure your participation at the World Festival. Details for making a payment are contained in your invitation. Please be sure your team has completed payment by March 24.

 
Event Schedule:
Below is a brief overview of the Explore schedule. More details will be shared prior to the event.

Thursday, April 20:
🤖 Team check-in and setup at 10:00 a.m. in room 320
🤖 Festival open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in room 320
🤖 Coaches' Meeting at 3:30 p.m. in room 330

Friday, April 21:
🤖 Reviewing from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in room 320

Saturday, April 22:
🤖 FIRST LEGO League Explore closing ceremonies at 11:45 a.m.
🤖 FIRST LEGO League Explore and Challenge combined ceremony at 1:00 p.m.
🤖 FIRST One Show at 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
🤖 Explore teams may depart after the ceremonies

Action May Be Required - Traveling Abroad? 

Teams traveling from outside of the United States who need assistance securing visas should contact us as soon as possible. To request the visa invitation letter, please click here. This is for anyone who plans on attending any of the World Festival.

This invitation letter acts as a supporting document for your appointment at your local US Embassy. FIRST does not assist with the visa application process and cannot provide guidance for which visa schedule one qualifies for; kindly check in with your local Embassy. You can also view the Department of State visa categories here to determine your eligibility on your own. For clarifying questions, please email dgalatas@firstinspires.org

All about Houston
Weather
In April, Houston’s temperature can vary between 57°- 80°F. Springtime can bring rain and storms, and is also one of Houston’s windiest months, so make sure you pack your umbrellas and jackets!

Travel & Local Information
Plan your visit outside of FIRST Championship. We have prepared travel discounts for airline, car rentals, ground transportation, and local attractions. Whether you need transportation from the airport to your hotel or to one of the local attractions, there are plenty of transportation options to make getting around easy. Visit the FIRST Championship Houston website for details and discounts.

We’re looking forward to seeing you soon! Stay tuned for our next email on Wednesday, March 1, which will contain more important information about the event.

Countdown to World Festival – 64 days!

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