Maker Faire Orlando & Robot Ruckus - VIP Fundraiser

Join The Maker Effect Foundation for a NEW VIP fundraiser experience celebrating Maker Faire Orlando! We're moving the event to the new Maker Faire Orlando stage(presented by Universal Creative) and will be featuring invited maker guests, interactive artists, and teams from the BattleBots television show. Chat with Makers, mingle with BattleBots teams, see robot exhibitions, and bid on silent auction items. Tickets are limited for this exclusive event!

Hors d'oeuvres will be served so that you can snack as you interact!

Proceeds from the VIP Fundraiser benefit The Maker Effect Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Your support helps fund our programs which include Maker Faire Orlando, MakerFX Makerspace, Robot Ruckus and more!

This event will take place on November 4th, immediately following the first day of Maker Faire Orlando 2023 and the main Robot Ruckus competition. 

New This Year

Interact with Renowned Makers

• Jen Schachter (@schac_attack), Tested contributor, master maker, and she's on the cover of this issue of Make: Magazine!
• Michael Corrie(@propstohistory), propmaster, prop-maker and prop historian from the PropsToHistory Channel
• Caleb Kraft(@caleb_kraft), Contributing editor for Make: and creator of The Controller Project
• Allison Chase(@allison.chase.cosplay), award-winning giant Cosplay maker and organizer of cosplay events

An Epic Night with Medieval Knights!

Knights from the Florida Armored Combat Club (@flarmored) are joining Maker Faire Orlando to to educate the public about medieval tournament fighting and the associated activities, professions, arts, and sciences that are involved - and they are staying for the VIP event! You can check out their weapons & armor, and bid on amazing experiences with the Knights in the silent auction (details below)

Battle-Damage Giveaway – Your VIP ticket automatically enters you in a raffle to win a battle-damaged BattleBots part! 

BattleBots Celebrity Battles - Try your hand at battling a robot against some of the best BattleBots drivers! We will have a sumo-style arena with 10 different 1lb robots to choose from, with weapons such as lifters and hammers! Can you beat drivers like Will Bales (HyperShock), Mike Gellatly (Witch Doctor), or Matt Spurk (Kraken)??

Exclusive BattleBots Speed Panels – A new way to get to know your favorite BattleBots teams! Join a BattleBots team captain in a small group. Every few minutes, the BB builders will switch to a different group and get the discussion started with a new prompt from the moderator. Don’t miss this unique chance to interact with the builders like never before!

Confirmed (subject to change) - Brian Nave (Capt Shrederator), Sam McAmis (Gruff), Jen Herchenroeder (HiJinx), Matt Spurk (Kraken), Alicia Garnache (Horizon), Will and Alex Bales (HyperShock), Andrea and Mike Gellatly (Witch Doctor), Lilith Specht (Sporkinok), John Flaacke (Extinguisher, Gruff), Jason Weihman (Tantrum). 

Trophy Photo-Op – Take your photo some of BattleBots’ biggest trophies! We’ll have a display with Giant Bolts and Slugfest medals. 

Silent Auction

We will be holding a silent auction benefitting The Maker Effect Foundation, the 501(c)(3) educational charity that produces Maker Faire Orlando, the Robot Ruckus combat robotics program, MakerFX Makerspace and local education programs.

Auction items include battle-damaged parts from the BattleBots TV show, Maker Faire memorabilia and interactive experiences.

The Florida Armored Combat Club has donated fun experiences including: 

• You can select a Knight Champion, who will fight for your honor or cause that you wish to have recognized. This fight will happen live at the Maker Faire Stage at the end of the auction!
  
  
• You can strike a Knight using an array of weapons that the Knights themselves utilize. The higher the bid, the more strikes you get!
  
• You can dance with a Knight of your choice! The winner(s) will choose a Knight, and said Knight will select a song and dance with the winner for two minutes.

Details

• The VIP Fundraiser will be held immediately after the first day of Maker Faire Orlando and the Robot Ruckus combat robot competition. 
• VIP Fundraiser tickets do not include admission to Maker Faire Orlando 2023 or the Robot Ruckus combat robot competition at Maker Faire Orlando 2023. Get Maker Faire Orlando tickets on our website. 
• Each team's participation is based on their travel schedule and availability. The list of participating teams is subject to change at any time with no notification to ticket holders.