Re: Best Regional in the East
 

GTR gets my vote :)

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

Go Finger Lakes!

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

When determining what the "Best" is, are you refering to the best robots, the best competition, or the best venue? I voted for Chesapeake because it seems to have the best combination of all three. The venue is, by far, one of the best in the country, with great viewing areas, great pits, excellent food, and a wonderful area to visit. The competition is always strong, with visiting teams such as Buzz, Rage, 341, 237, etc in recent years.

Tom, I couldn't disagree with you more about your choice for the NJ regional. While the robots may be great, I can't say the same about Trenton or the arena. Blah!

BEN

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

ohh!..... Chesapeake is by far the BEST!!! here are couple of reasons why
Location: US Naval Academy. Its really secure and students can walk around where they want to without any insecurity. Its right next to Chesapeake bay that provides a scenic view. So if in any case you are sick of indoors, please step out and enjoy the fresh Chesapeake breeze ~~~~
Food: SIMPLY AWESOME!!!! one of the main reason i would attend this regional again and again. On top of all this, Food is allowed in the arena!!! so you don't have to miss a match to get lunch ;-)
Teams/Competition: Last year, teams came to Chesapeake from pretty much every where. England, California, Alaska, Texas, etc etc.
Announcers: One of the best.....JEFF!

On the other hand VCU is like an addicting regional. Whoever comes to VCU, come again and again.

Well i think every regional is fun/best on its own way.
Pretty much, where ever there's FIRST, there's Fun.

Imad

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

Could anyone provide suggestions as to which regionals have the best travel access to and from the airports as far as proximity and safe guards against getting lost?
Jane

Edit: Clarification :o
Travel eastbound for 2007 is just for me - and yes, I'm capable of getting lost. Very.
I'm getting a lot of help via PMs.
Thanks.

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

I voted NJ, but given the choice, I'd definitely vote Palmetto. There's a great atmosphere. The people are nice, and it's a bit less competitive. It's relaxed, but somehow always on time. You don't get the rushed feeling of NJ, and the surrounding area is better too. (IHOP is awesome!)
Plus, Palmetto is WARM!

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

The UTC Regional gets my vote, despite me being biased towards Chesapeake because it is so entertaining to watch the competition. Actually all of them are in a way very entertaining to watch on Webcast.

Chesapeake is up and coming. I'm pretty sure it will be one of the ones to watch in not only this year but years to come as the local teams continue to get better and better and live up to the 'travellers'. Except Chesapeake is one of those regionals that is in absolute need of 2 fields just to field the teams that want to come down there (because the whole Annapolis atmosphere and the way everything is coordinated (though there are no socials yet) is just so awesome). It's intense in the stands, but teams have to (and generally do) find crazy ways to do it. With UTC, the intensity seems there from the start and much greater (and it carries onto the field this way because the competition appears to be so even).

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

Well, I've only been to the NJ Regional, so thats what I voted for! ^^; Last year our team went to Boston, and I heard they had a blast there. I couldn't go.

But, I believe any regional can be the "best" so long as you put in the effort to make it your best! As long as I have fun, I don't care which regional I'm at. :)

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

I'll try to be as unbiased as I can here.

Boston was definetly one of the best regionals I've been to. A great atmosphere and everything went so smoothly. It can only get better next year. Look how quickly it filled up this year!

Phili is a fun regional too, but the arena is a little small. I went there a few years back it was a fun time; felt very 'homey'.

From what I hear the UTC/hartford 's Connecticut convention center is superb so I'm sure that'll be a great regional.

I'm going to Chesapeake regional this year. It's at the naval academy which is a terrific venue so I look forward to that.

But... NJ is a beast. It's a very old regional (11 years!) and they have a ton of loyal, veteran teams that attend (11, 25, 56, 75, 103). Its a really intense regional though. People are helpful, but everyone is running around at 200% speed. Probably has something to do with being a first-week regional. Add on top of that that I think we're outgrowing sovereign. Still, its a great time.

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

I think for travel NYC is the best.
There are three major airports- making it easy and cheap to get flights from anywhere.
There are lots of different types of ground transportations when you're here.
There are lots of stuff to see and do.
It is a pretty safe city these days
Food is actually cheap if you eat with the locals.
Every ethic group is represented here.
You can select from hundreds of hotels and you won't even need a car.
You can go for kabobs and egg-cream soda at 3am if you wish.
The city runs 24 hours and 7 days a week.
And the shopping..... oh the shopping! ;)

It is difficult to get lost, just count the street numbers and Manhattan is an island (2 miles by 13 miles); you can't get lost for too long!
:]

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

I'll rate the East Coast regionals that I've been to.

Chesapeake (2003, 2004, 2005):
Big venue with alot of teams. The venue may be too large though, as you don't get that "atmosphere" and feeling of excitement you get at some smaller events. The field typically has a few upper teir teams in FIRST, but usually lacks depth after the first and second levels of teams. Bonus points for Jeff Seaton as MC though.
5.5/10

Philly @ Drexel (2001, but I also attended twice when it was at Temple):
Smaller venue and a small field of teams, but "pound for pound" may be one of the most competative regionals. Many loyal upper level teams attend (341, 357, 365, etc.). Smaller venue lends to a more intense and friendly atmosphere.
7.5/10

Peachtree (2006):
Held at a convention center, so seating is inferior to that in a sporting venue. Feeling in the arena is similar to Chesapeake, as it doesn't generate the same atmosphere as VCU, Philly or some other regionals. A mid-sized field of teams, most from Georgia, and a few from other locations in the South. Rarely draws teams from further than Virginia. Convention center does allow for a full sized practice field (provided by 1002 in 2006), and judges rooms away from the action (which can be preferable for preparing to do a Chairman's presentation). Worst food ever though. Lower competative level than other regionals leads for a higher unpredicability and ability for rookies to compete well.
6/10

VCU (2001-2006):
The absolute best venue I have ever expierienced (and I have expierienced 13 different venues for FIRST competitions). Large field of teams, a vast majority from Virginia. Most of the teams are local and lower budget, meaning there is a great deal of paridy, allowing for unpredictability, excitement, and rookie competition. Draws loyalty from many outside travelling teams (843 has come down from Canada 3 or 4 times, 447 came two years in a row from Indiana, 383 made several trips from Brazil), and local teams alike (very few decide to goto Chesapeake instead of VCU). Has a small "upper crust" of highly competative teams, and occasionally draws major outside competitors (33, 64, 365). Close proximity to a Krispy Kreme. Often the site of the first "game hint" for the next seasons competition. Jeff Seaton is also MC!
9/10

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

i would have to say the best regional in the east is NJ and i have proof, if you look back at the history of the Mid-Atlantic Regional, all those "crazy scary" midwest teams that everyone is afraid to loose too, used to come out to Jersey to compete, and have never won the regional away from the east coast, and now they are too afraid to come back to where it all began just to be beaten



1997 what is now team 75
1998 what is now 175 Buzz
1999 teams 75 and 89
2000 Teams 25, 293 , and 175

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

Missing out on all the best ;)
Palmetto and Jersey of course!

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

I'm a little biased, but I'd say my favourite in the East is GTR. I also loved Finger Lakes when my team went there while I was in high school! (I didn't make it to the 2006 one unfortunately.)

Re: Best Regional in the East
 

Truly depends on the definition of Best. Therefore, all above arguements are valid within their specified parameters. Congrats all of East, you have the best regionals.