Disclaimer: Rookie Mentor / Rookie Team
One of the things I did really enjoy at the Tech Valley Regional was that we were able to have teams such as 48 (How many safety vests do you guys
own?!) from Ohio, 4481 (is it a requirement that all team members be 6' 4" or taller?) from the Netherlands, 359 (Mahalo) from Hawaii, not to mention several others from outside our area.
From what I read it looks like when you go to a district format the only teams eligible to play in that district are from within the geographical area of the district.
Don't get me wrong, I think the ability to have 2 events without an egregious amount of travel (or cost) is a great thing, but being able to expand the teams we play does add a "flair" to the event. (If you were at NYTVR you'd know just how.. uh... "quiet" 4481 was.
)