Region Manager

2026–2027 ⟩ Florida ⟩

2026–27 Newsletter 2: Welcome to BIOBUZZ

Sent: 13 September 2026
Recipients: Florida (All)
Subject: 2026–27 Newsletter 2: Welcome to BIOBUZZ
Preview: Map out the season with these important dates.

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We kicked off the new season with our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/2qTY0qAJvo4?si=H_jHunJUb-jOikCw&t=1179" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">livestream broadcast</a> yesterday, where we shared some great news and updates:</p><ul style="margin:16px 0;padding-left:24px"><li><p style="margin:0"> This year, we welcome a new league to the region: the <a href="https://swflrobotics.org/" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">Southwest League</a>, covering the southern Gulf Coast of Florida. </p></li><li><p style="margin:0"> Adult mentors can attend the <a href="https://sefmc.com/" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">Southeastern <em>FIRST</em> Mentor Conference</a> on October 3–4 in Orlando. </p></li><li><p style="margin:0"> A new control system is coming next season, which means that loaning REV Control and Expansion Hubs to new teams is a top priority this year. </p></li><li><p style="margin:0"> Our Florida Championship is moving to the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on March 12–13, 2027. </p></li></ul><p> We’re still filling in the schedule of events for this season, but you can see all of the published events on <a href="https://flfirst.org/events" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">our website</a> and in <a href="https://ftcregion.com/s/2026/r/fl/events" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">Region Manager</a>. In the meantime, keep the following important dates in mind:</p><ul style="margin:16px 0;padding-left:24px"><li><p style="margin:0"><strong>September 14, 2026</strong>: Nominations for the <em><a href="https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/ftc/leadership-award" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">FIRST</a></em><a href="https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/ftc/leadership-award" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline"> Leadership Award</a> open. </p></li><li><p style="margin:0"><strong>September 28, 2026</strong>: Team and volunteer Q&A platforms open. Instructions will be available soon on the <a href="https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/ftc/game" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">Game and Season Materials page</a>. </p></li><li><p style="margin:0"><strong>December 15, 2026</strong>: Nominations for the <em><a href="https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/ftc/leadership-award" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">FIRST</a></em><a href="https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/ftc/leadership-award" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline"> Leadership Award</a> are due. </p></li><li><p style="margin:0"><strong>March 12–13, 2027</strong>: Florida Championship in Lakeland, FL. </p></li><li><p style="margin:0"><strong>April 28–May 1, 2027</strong>: <em>FIRST</em> Championship in Houston, TX. </p></li></ul><p> Keep an eye out for Team Updates, volunteer trainings, and more resources — all coming soon.</p><p> Finally, I want to recognize some of the organizations that support the program: <em>FIRST</em> Tech Challenge season presenting sponsor, <a href="https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/campus" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">RTX</a>; Florida program sponsor, <a href="https://www.infinityauto.com/?utm_source=client_website&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=firsttechflorida" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">Infinity Insurance Agency</a>; and Florida Championship sponsor, Visit Central Florida. Learn more about sponsorship <a href="https://docs.flfirst.org/sponsors/home/" style="color:#1d4ed8;text-decoration:underline">here</a> — and if you know someone who might be interested in sponsoring the future generation of STEM leaders, please reach out.</p><p> Happy BIOBUZZing!</p><p style="margin-bottom:2px;"><strong>AJ Foster</strong></p><p style="margin-top:2px; line-height: 16px; font-size:12px;"><span style="font-size:12px; line-height: 16px;">Program Delivery Partner • Florida<br/>Global Key • Technology<br/><em>FIRST</em> Tech Challenge</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table role="presentation" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" width="100%" style="max-width: 680px;" id="footer"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:20px;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;color:#4b5563;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none"><p> This message was sent via <a href="https://ftcregion.com" style="color:#374151;text-decoration:underline">Region Manager</a> on behalf of a region, league, or event administrator for Florida <em>FIRST</em> Tech Challenge. You can <a href="/user/settings" style="color:#374151;text-decoration:underline">manage subscriptions or unsubscribe</a>.</p><p><a href="https://flfirst.org" style="color:#374151;text-decoration:underline">Florida <em>FIRST</em> Tech Challenge</a> is delivered by <a href="https://orlrobotics.org" style="color:#374151;text-decoration:underline">Orlando Robotics Foundation</a>.</p><p> PO Box 781291, Orlando, FL 32878</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></center></body></html>