[ManicMechanic]

And now for something completely different. We just finished tabulating our Atlanta expenses (our Vex team of 5 spent $286/person for everything except airfare -- robot transport, hotel for 4 nights, food & snacks, entertainment (including an aquarium visit), and transportation in town and to the airport). As a perpetual tightwad, I am looking for tips on ways that you saved money in Atlanta, including cheap lodging, restaurants, entertainment, transport of robots and bodies, or anything else you can think of. Eventually, I'd like to collect these ideas into a White Paper for the benefit of others, especially since it looks like the World Championship will be in Atlanta for at least the next 2 years.

I'm especially looking for ideas are likely to be used year after year ("find a hotel that serves breakfast," vs. "the XXX hotel had a one-time breakfast special this year"). Even better are ideas that apply not just to Atlanta, but to other cities as well.

I am NOT looking for any ideas that are illegal, immoral, or unscrupulous (although I don't mind unsanitary), nor am I looking for anything that bilks the other person (like skimping on tips). Atlanta has been good to us, and we should return the favor. Besides, true tightwaddery is based on skill and self-control, not selfishness.

Also, if this ever ends up as a formal compilation, I'd like to give acknowledgement to the contributors, so I'd appreciate it if you'd PM me with your permission and the name you want to be used (real name or user handle).