2026

This session is built for participants who are considering becoming a new Event Partner for the first time. Participants will take a look at what it means to be an REC Foundation Event Partner and receive a practical overview of what it takes to step into this role from the start. Key topics include Commitment to Event Excellence, venue selection, budgeting, volunteer recruitment and management, event logistics, and day-of coordination. By the end of the session, new Event Partners will have a clear roadmap, ready-to-use planning tools, and the confidence to deliver a well-run, team-focused competition experience.

This session is designed specifically for new coaches who are preparing to lead their first team. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the coach’s role, season structure, and key elements of managing and running a competition team. Resources will be provided on creating and registering teams, competition programs, and preparing for events. By the end of the session, new coaches will leave with team resources, sustainable coach training, and confidence to start and sustain a successful robotics season.

RoboMentors is the only website that is used for judging - this duplicates much of the functionality of paper forms, but exists in a webpage format that is linked to RECFevents.org for performance information. It is a tool used to manage judge volunteers and the judging process. Learn how to operate the system and use at your event.

This session is designed for newer Event Partners who have hosted an event (or are preparing to) and are looking for practical tips, lessons learned, and ways to make their events run more smoothly. The focus is on strategies that help simplify planning, avoid common challenges, and improve the overall event experience.

Participants will explore time-saving tools, best practices, and common pitfalls to watch for when planning an event. The session will also include a walkthrough of posting an event on RECF.org, along with tips and tricks for setting up event details, managing registrations, and avoiding common setup mistakes. Time will also be set aside for a roundtable discussion where Event Partners can share best practices, ideas, and lessons learned with one another.

This advanced session is tailored for experienced robotics coaches seeking to refine their programs and elevate team experience. The session focuses on strategic coaching practices that support team sustainability, student-centered coaching, and intentional competition preparation. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to manage multi-team programs and explore ways to strengthen program growth and sustain high-quality team experiences.