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Originally Posted by KelliV
Fun fact... when you purchase food at the UIC Pavilion you are supporting students from local colleges, not just UIC. A percentage of the money goes to the groups who are working the stand. One year a lot of the funds raised went to send a bunch of Columbia kids to New Orleans to clean up after Katrina.
Midwest is sweet, the venue is nice it's my home regional. I've traveled to A LOT of regionals (nowhere near koko ed's level) but here is what I have for the one's I have been to recently.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KelliV
Midwest - Pro: Location close to city, great team social, big name teams. Con- location borders sketchy neighborhoods (they've gotten MUCH better in the last four years). Traffic is a beast.
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Chicago is rated the city in the US with the nastiest traffic so when I go I avoid driving at all cost. When Kelli gave me a ride back to my hotel a guy going 70 in a 40 mph zone almost slammed into my side of her car in the right lane but stopped just short of crushing us. This year it looks like I'll have to man up and drive around since I plan to go from Mississauga to Chicago.
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Originally Posted by KelliV
Pittsburgh - Pro- intimate setting, great volunteers, great venue, nice location in the city. Con - The hill you walk up is HORRIBLE. Competition level is hit or miss.
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This'll be my first time going. The only new regional(for me) I'm checking out this year. Pretty short drive from home so that's cool.
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Originally Posted by KelliV
Boston - Pro - Your show of shows. Seriously, if you want a show on par with some of the stuff you will see at Champs go to Boston. Great town for seniors to check out colleges. Con - Steps of doom to pits. Competition level hit or miss.
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The Boston regional is the best run regional I have ever been to in FIRST. The climb up the stairs at the arena is BRUTAL. You need mountain climbing equipment to get to the top!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KelliV
Connecticut - Pro: Great volunteers, great competition usually. Very efficient. Con : In a convention center so there are bleachers not stands.
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Connecticut come into competition with GTR West and often DC which both have priority over Connecticut so sadly I probably will never be able to go.
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Originally Posted by KelliV
NYC - Pro: It's NYC, there is a ton to do. FLL and FTC are usually there. Con: Not really in walking distance to much stuff without going through sketchy neighborhoods. Bleachers not arena seating.
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I had a great time at NYC with The Crew (Kelli, Wayne Penn, Jessjank, Dandon among others. I'll admit the need to flag down a limo to go to Jillians on 42nd street was fun) but what I most remember was the $40 parking fee to volunteer and the need to find something to drink because the event can't afford to provide it for the volunteers (I heard it was something like $9 a bottle).