Our team doesn't acutally assign people to go to regionals and watch, but there's been cases of people going. I was giong to go to the western michigan (I think that's what it's called...it's in Grand Rapids) regional and watch the teams that were going to be at nationals, but it snowed. You can get an idea of what you'll be against because a different area could have come up with an amazing strategy. As for the money issue, it's better if you don't send the WHOLE team, or if you just go for a day. (Works best with nearby regionals). What's nice about individuals giong on their own is they can pay hotel bills and such...