Sell Me Your Regional!

[HumblePie]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Palmetto almost sells itself:

-First year in Myrtle Beach, SC
-Tenth year of the event (and a lot of the key people have been there for nearly all of it)
-Week 1, so you're no worse off than anyone
-Palmetto normally draws a mix of Mid-Atlantic and Florida teams on top of your expected NC/SC/GA crowd, which means some stronger-than-average competition.

I'm excited for it, personally, and I've seen 'em all!

And, I might add, just a few blocks to the beach.

Week 1 is after spring break, and before the tourist season kicks into high gear. Myrtle Beach has tons of hotel rooms and are usually affordable in non-peak season. Broadway at the Beach is nearby and offers plenty of dining, shopping and tourist attractions to keep everyone entertained. So come on down for some Southern Hospitality!

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Portable bleachers can get uncomfortable for those who spend their days in the stands

I think this would be a deal-breaker Won't anyone think of the scouts and parents? This is probably the things they are looking for, in venues. After all, if you're going to be there for 3 days, what to expect. An arena style vs convention hall.

I also have to think about NYC, though we'd drive there. The drive from LaGuardia to downtown is longer than the drive from Walpole, isn't it? But if I was going to the beach it would be Jones Beach on LI. (Nearer to where I grew up!).

One thing that is great about the southern events is how much sooner spring is. The bad thing (luckily not for me) is the earlier allergy season.

Oh the choices to be made!

[George1902]

No one's mentioned one of my favorite things about the Orlando Regional.....

OINK! OINK!

[MARS_James]

Might as well keep pitching how great orlando is:

Seats are very comfortable since they are seats not bleachers

Orlando has both Ambassadors and Safety Ambassadors to bring around company executives (In the last 3 years we have handled NASA twice, UCF board of administrators, UTC, and ASME 3 times)

I can honestly say in the history of the Orlando/Florida Regional that it has never snowed, ever

Hall of Fame team 103 has attended the event regularly since 2008

[Jon Stratis]

Since people are talking about seats... Northern Lights has seats, not bleachers, as the field is in an arena. I can't personally attest to how comfortable they are though... they don't let us volunteers ever sit down!

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Roger

I think this would be a deal-breaker Won't anyone think of the scouts and parents? This is probably the things they are looking for, in venues. After all, if you're going to be there for 3 days, what to expect. An arena style vs convention hall.

Sorry, bleachers brought into the convention center in Baltimore. It's not an arena.

Best wishes on your search and the season!

[Sayrah]

Originally Posted by George1902

No one's mentioned one of my favorite things about the Orlando Regional.....

OINK! OINK!

BOOM!

[Roger]

Thanks again for all the answers. But I have to ask, nobody has anything to say about Chicago?

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Roger

Thanks again for all the answers. But I have to ask, nobody has anything to say about Chicago?

I go to the Midwest regional alot. High level of competiton. Chicago is a great city. Take the public transportation. Do not drive. Terrific food. The arena is a dump and it's tight.

[avanboekel]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I go to the Midwest regional alot. High level of competiton. Chicago is a great city. Take the public transportation. Do not drive. Terrific food. The arena is a dump and it's tight.

The stadium food is hit or miss depending on what you get, and there isn't much within walking distance of the stadium (you can't just let students go get food). There are many restaurants that deliver to the stadium, but you cannot bring outside food in.

I wouldn't say that the level of competition is high as much as I would say that it's a hard regional to win. There are always some powerhouse teams (111, 71, 1625, 2451, and a few others) making it hard to get onto a championship alliance, but the level of play drops considerably after that. 2 of the powerhouses are almost guaranteed to team up and win it all. In the last few years, 16 and 148, 118 and 111, 16 and 1732...

The regional itself, is always very well run. The judges and volunteers are friendly, and all of the teams are a joy to work with.

[KHall]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I go to the Midwest regional alot. High level of competiton. Chicago is a great city. Take the public transportation. Do not drive. Terrific food. The arena is a dump and it's tight.

AH...but the brightness of the smiles on the volunteer, staff and participant faces far outshine the Pavilion's "dumpiness" - you won't even notice!

Yes it is tight - but hey, think of it as an "intimate atmosphere" where you can't help but meet lots of people and make many new friends! However, we do love streamlined, efficient robot carts - right Ed? The competition is always fierce and may be even more so this year since MWR is Week 6.

The Pavilion is just a little West and South of the center of the City and on a clear night when you are leaving the arena after a intense day of competition, the skyline is awe-inspiring! The Pavilion borders on the Little Italy neighboorhood which is home to many GREAT restaurants (a short walk from the Pavilion), plus Greektown is just down the road. Public transportation is easily accessible and will get you anywhere you may want to go.

Last year the team social was at the Museum of Science and Industry, where FIRSTers basically had half of the museum to themselves including the Omnimax Theatre and the Submarine. Right now the MWR Planning Committee is working hard on putting together another memorable team social at a world-class venue for everyone.

Don't know for sure how many (if any) spots will be open for second round of registration, so if you decide on MWR be prepared to be very quick on the send button.

As the man said, "Chicago is my kind of town..."

Lori Hall
MWR Planning Committee

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by KHall

Yes it is tight - but hey, think of it as an "intimate atmosphere" where you can't help but meet lots of people and make many new friends! However, we do love streamlined, efficient robot carts - right Ed? The competition is always fierce and may be even more so this year since MWR is Week 6.

Any chance they'l finally do something about the fault line that goes right down the middle of the lead queing area?

[BigJ]

One thing I love about the Pavilion at Midwest is that if you get a border pit your programmers can easily program from the stands behind the pit.

[JohnChristensen]

Originally Posted by Roger

By the way, Jon, have you seen my photo a month before Boston?

Since I actually live in Duluth, MN, I'll let you in on a little secret, that's not much snow in the picture. However, given our unique physical location with respect to Lake Superior, I can not predict anything with regard to the weather for March 2013. We have already had our first snowfall of the season and tonight is cooking up another (however I think it is going to land in Canada this time). The flip side is it was over 70 degrees today. Yes, summer weather at lunch and winter weather for midnight snack.

My lamenting about the weather aside, I'll let you know more about Duluth. For the weekend of the Northern Lights/Lake Superior Regionals, you should expect:

--The nationally ranked UMD Bulldogs hockey team playing a weekend series with Nebraska at the same location as the regionals. Tickets are cheap and the arena still has that new ice smell.
--Several hotels within easy walking distance to the venue.
--Shipping season may be starting back up so big lakers (ships) could be coming into port right next to the dual FIRST fields.
--The option of a hotel with a fabulous waterpark just down the road.
--The easiest access to a US interstate anywhere (yes, I-35 starts in Duluth, MN at a STOP LIGHT ).
--Oh, and three local (from Duluth, MN teams) who could all tell you more about things to do, places to eat, and beds to sleep in.
--The MC for Northern Lights is Blair, need I say more?
--And finally, I will predict between 0 and 35 inches of snow that weekend (with our weather you just can't get much closer than that).

[cmrnpizzo14]

Honestly, I believe that FLR is the best regional. It is in an incredible venue in terms of the actual site, and logistically it is very easy as there are hotels and highways very close to RIT where the regional is held (Rochester is also a pretty cheep city to stay in). We have some of the best overall competition anywhere in FIRST. In the past, 2056, 217, and 67 have shown up, and lost (or nearly in 2056 and 217's case. They were one tube or minibot away from losing). You will face up against a solid group of teams from Rochester, including 1507, 1511, 340, 191, 1126 and more. We also draw the Canadian powerhouses, such as 180 and hopefully 610 this year. I'm trying to avoid saying 3173, but I believe that we are a pretty good bot every year as well (;

I don't think you will regret any part of FLR, except maybe on site food prices.