Kids Allowed at Automation Fair?

[The Plc Kid]

Does anyone know if kids are allowed admission at AB automation fair?

I am planning on going this year to Anaheim and my nephew loves this stuff he is 12 but mature beyond his years. My older sister kid and his dad passed away a couple years ago so with the little bit of wisdom and life experience I have ( Not much at 23) I try to be the man in his life as much as I can because I know how tough it was not having my dad around.

I would like to take him with me because I know he would have a blast but have not found any info yet. I was just planning to register him the normal way if so.

I have him fixed up with a compact logix and software and a lot of older gear we no longer use from work as we upgrade things. he has done some neat stuff on his own and we do a lot of automation for Christmas with it also.

I know a lot of people here have attended over the years and thought someone may know?

 

[jraef]

I don't think so, at least not in terms of general admission, there are likely some liability issues because there is a lot of machinery moving around. But you can call the help line and ask them, 781.821.6733

Another option might be for you to enroll him in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program nearest you. They have the FIRST LEGO® League (FLL), an automation challenge club for 9-14 year olds, which leads them into the FIRST Tech Challenge for High Schoolers, then the FIRST Robotic League for college. They will all be exhibiting at the show, so for sure at least THOSE kids will be allowed in, likely because they will be officially escorted and chaperoned.
http://www.usfirst.org/regional-contacts
Looks like the nearest one to you is at Georgia Tech, but it still might be worth exploring if it can get him in with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHIsL4A4LRw&list=PL4B23F77A41212BF5&index=1

 

[Steve Bailey]

Make sure you get a definitive answer before you register. I have direct knowledge of one specific trade show and they don't allow anyone under 18 in except as part of chaperoned school groups.

 

[The Plc Kid]

I don't think so, at least not in terms of general admission, there are likely some liability issues because there is a lot of machinery moving around. But you can call the help line and ask them, 781.821.6733

Another option might be for you to enroll him in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program nearest you. They have the FIRST LEGO® League (FLL), an automation challenge club for 9-14 year olds, which leads them into the FIRST Tech Challenge for High Schoolers, then the FIRST Robotic League for college. They will all be exhibiting at the show, so for sure at least THOSE kids will be allowed in, likely because they will be officially escorted and chaperoned.
http://www.usfirst.org/regional-contacts
Looks like the nearest one to you is at Georgia Tech, but it still might be worth exploring if it can get him in with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHIsL4A4LRw&list=PL4B23F77A41212BF5&index=1

First robotics never crossed my mind. I don't know of any programs near his school right off but it's very popular at Georgia Tech. I am a GT student BTW.

I am not a Member of it at GT but know a lot about it. It would be too much for me to be involved with it at GT as I am a full time student and work full time.

My company also donates a lot of hardware and funds to the program in Forsyth county schools as both of the site managers sons are in it.

It's a great program and they should have it in more schools IMHO.

I will give the help line a call and ask some of the first robotics guys at school about it.

 

[Ken Roach]

You usually see families on the floor of Automation Fair on the last day, but only for a short while, visiting Mom or Dad. This is especially true when AF is near a Disney attraction !

But I agree that for general admission you'll want a direct answer; RA or the Convention Center may have specific rules that have changed since I was there.

 

[Archie]

Speaking of kids, I ran across this a while back when trying to find ways to get my nephew interested in programming:

http://boyslife.org/section/about-scouts/merit-badge-resources/programming/

It actually has Ladder Logic in the list and if you go to the link it has an affiliation with AutomationDirect.