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Originally Posted by Bruceb
First let me admit that I don't know anything about district events. One of the things my team always looks forward to in going to a regional is playing with teams from around the country and around the world. We have played with teams from pretty much every state, Canada, Isreal, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, China and Australia. How does that shake out in a district model?
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In a District model you play 2 small events, usually in high school gyms, to rack up points from wins, awards, being an alliance captain, etc. The top teams by points qualify for District Champs, where points double. Districts are given a number of Champs spots based on their percentage of the FIRST population, so at about 20% of teams qualifying, WI would get around 10 spots this year, or 13 or 14 after Champs splits. Teams then qualify to CMP from DCMP by points and earning other DCMP awards, like Chairman's or EI.
Like Eric said, you're welcome to compete out of state and qualify for Champs by winning a Regional. But, for teams like 706, Districts would virtually guarantee a trip to Champs every year, where you can see many more international teams. The big difference with Districts, and one of my favorite parts of the system, is that more of the perennial Finalists and consistent alliance captains and first picks make it, not just teams good and lucky enough to win a Regional.
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Originally Posted by Sunshine
Actually yes. We have been to IRI and my thoughts were exactly what I write here. Wasn't impressed with the facilities at all.
If I'm inviting a potential sponsor for my team to an event or the regional planning team invites someone with deep pockets to an event; you can't tell me that they'd be more impressed with a gym than an arena.
And there is just something special for our students to be compete on/in a professional sports facility.
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I haven't been to a District event, but I've been to small off-season events and 40 team Regionals like Central Illinois and Boilermaker (RIP). As awe-inspiring as competing in a big arena is, I really like small venues. You're closer to the field, closer to other teams in the stands, and I think the energy levels feel a lot higher. You can hear and feel every impact on the field. The pits are a 30 second walk from the stands. And, with more, smaller events, more teams have a "home" event that they don't have to stay at hotels for. I can't speak for the sponsors, but I think having more local events and still having a big, premier event would be a way to bring in even more sponsors.