Lesson Learned: The Negative

[dsm]

For the regional coordinators, sometimes the flow of information was less than effective, and less than timely.

I was in contact with a couple of teams this year, which attended a combined total of 5 different competitions including Atlanta, and there were striking differences in how and what information was conveyed.

Some regionals were great about some things, and awful about others. Some event websites were very informative, others were borderline useless. I realize the information itself is always going to be variable due to different venues, but the organizers should at least give teams that information in an effective and timely manner.

I'm talking about things like:
- parking info, particularly with regard to buses and trailers
- pit sizes allowed (I used to think 10x10 was standard, but clearly not)
- entrances, where/when to unload equipment/people
- food being allowed in or not (and if they frisk you like at VCU )
- machine shop availability and logistics
- practice field availability
- logistics of finals (some regionals trap you at the field, others have you go back to your pit)
- early notice and schedule of any seminars/classes offered
- other stuff that would just be very useful to know well in advance, so teams can plan their packing, vehicles, resources, etc

Maybe there ought to be a standard packet of info that all regionals distribute at least 3 weeks prior, or something like that?

Note: I'm not knocking the volunteers, they always do a great job and should be thanked for their time. I'm knocking the paid organizers who darn well ought to know better by now.