06/19/2026
World-Class FIRST Robotics Mentors Gather in Detroit for the Woodie Flowers Conference
Detroit, Mich. — The Woodie Flowers Foundation, in partnership with the Motor City Alliance, will host the Woodie Flowers Conference at Wayne State University this weekend. This professional development event brings together FIRST Robotics mentors from North America and beyond, with a focus on supporting those who inspire future innovators.
Established by Woodie Flowers Award recipients and guided by Margaret Flowers, Woodie’s best friend and wife, the Woodie Flowers Foundation represents a community of FIRST’s most respected mentors. The Foundation advances Dr. Woodie Flowers’ legacy by supporting mentor education, sharing best practices, and promoting the culture of Gracious Professionalism® within FIRST Robotics.
Held in Detroit, the conference brings together experienced and aspiring mentors to learn from presenters representing several countries, championship teams, and extensive experience. Workshops, demonstrations, and discussions will cover engineering, leadership, team culture, fundraising, student development, and technical excellence.
The conference will also feature companies serving the FIRST Robotics community. Industry vendors and technology partners will be on-site as sponsors, presenting products and services that support teams and offering mentors opportunities to connect with organizations in the FIRST ecosystem.
With mentor development events expanding globally, the Woodie Flowers Conference is part of a broader effort to invest in the volunteers who support FIRST Robotics.
“Mentor education is becoming an increasingly important part of the global FIRST community, and we’re honored to help bring that movement to Detroit,” said Leon Pryor, President and Co-Founder of the Motor City Alliance. “We’re excited to partner with the Woodie Flowers Foundation to make this level of mentor education accessible to our local mentors. By learning from some of the world’s most accomplished FIRST educators and technical leaders, they’ll return to their teams better equipped to inspire students and build stronger robotics programs.”
Hosting the conference at Wayne State University highlights Detroit’s role as a center for innovation, engineering, and robotics education. Participants will gain practical tools, new perspectives, and valuable connections.
“The WFA Family is very thankful to have WSU host the first annual Woodie Flowers Conference; we are forever grateful to WSU for providing a great venue and support to create what we expect to be a world-class conference,” said Allen Gregory, the conference's organizational director and a leading light in the FIRST Robotics mentor community.
The Woodie Flowers Conference demonstrates the shared commitment of the Woodie Flowers Foundation and the Motor City Alliance to support mentors, enhance robotics programs, and expand opportunities for young people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
