Decline of GTR Attendance

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Karthik

The loss of American teams due to the passport issues has been problematic as well.

GTR is always in the initial regional discussion mix for us, but new passport pains are currently the most important factor that harpoon our selection of that event. I believe bussed students on a trip can still get away with birth certificates alone (corroboration?), but most team advisors are reluctant to go through the passport application process.

Transfer of the crate through customs each way was also an added expense and challenge. This is no longer an issue, but we are still not certain how much easier it will be to haul a bagged robot across the border now that all of Canada is bag/tag. Will the bot gain more scrutiny? Do we have a greater risk of a lengthy stop at the border? I'm not sure what the answers to those questions are. I know the Canadian teams tend to be more "bold" with their robot transfers to IRI, the Pittsburgh Regional, etc. but I don't think as much data exists for American teams ferrying their bots in personal vehicles/trailers into and out of Canada.

We'd like to get back to GTR and see some more American teams come up and join us again, but I can say we've truly enjoyed attending new "far" events elsewhere, as trips to the Midwest, Connecticut, DC, and North Carolina regionals since 2008 have all been a blast.

Originally Posted by Vince lau

I can't wait for next season, I've been to every regional since 2002 and I'm not going to miss next years, hoping teams like 233, 217, 48, 45, 522 etc will come back and help celebrate GTR's 10th anniversary

Whoa, 233 in Canada in 2002. Talk about olllllllld school memories. You're making my brain hurt. :-) Let's add 33, 176, 229, 379, 639, and 703, to name a few more.

I'll see what I can do about getting us up there next year. Anyone going to produce a 10th anniversary video highlighting the best Canadian/GTR memories of yore? Your regional folks always were good with the promo videos.