Sell Me Your Regional!

[Roger]

Team 1153 is deciding where to go for their second regional competition. We have the usual New England places, but we’d like to try places outside our corner of the universe. What we’d like to know is what makes your favorite Regional “sizzle”? Why is it better than the rest? Bonus points for local hotels, nice arena, easy airports. Probably more bonus points if it isn’t snowing.

There are some limits. It has to be a Week 1, 2, 6, or 7 event. We’re signed up for Boston and the school doesn’t want the students out the week before or after. Just for ease of logistics, we’d like to stay in the US, unless you can give a convincing argument otherwise. It can either be a day’s drive (via 15-seat vans) or by airplane.

[Seth Mallory]

We had great time at Baltimore last year. The event staff were great and the pits area was not cramped. Lots of things to see within blocks of the event. We stayed 4 blocks from the event. Unfortunately week 7 is a no go for our team. We will be at SVR for week 6.

[Jon Stratis]

How about the new Northern Lights regional in Duluth MN? It's a double (along with Lake Superior) with 40 teams per regional. The DECC is awesome, with plenty of hotels and restaurants in walking distance (we take a bus up there and one back, but everything else is walking while we're there), and it's all right on the lake with a great view. Besides, you never know what you're going to get... 20 degrees below 0, or 10 feet of snow!

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

How about the new Northern Lights regional in Duluth MN? It's a double (along with Lake Superior) with 40 teams per regional. The DECC is awesome, with plenty of hotels and restaurants in walking distance (we take a bus up there and one back, but everything else is walking while we're there), and it's all right on the lake with a great view. Besides, you never know what you're going to get... 20 degrees below 0, or 10 feet of snow!

I'll second this. Duluth last year was probably overall the best regional experience I've ever had. In addition to the great city/venue, the volunteers there were fantastic. From my perspective everything seemed to run incredibly smoothly.

[Koko Ed]

FLR is my favorite regional for obvious reasons (it's my home regional) but I cannot honestly sell a week one regional to anyone. I don't like week one regionals but someone has to take the bullet and work out the bugs so everybody can enjoy the season.

[Peyton Yeung]

Midwest (6) always has a nice competitive pool of teams

[stundt1]

Let me add to Ed. FLR is a fun filled event with a wide range of teams who have attended in the past. Teams such at 1507,2056,217, and 610 have attended in previous years, and they add a competitive aspect to the regional.

FLR is about a 7 hour drive from Walpole MA. I think its worth the drive if your looking for a mid size(40) fun, yet competitive regional.

Feel free to pm me any questions you have.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Laaba 80

I'll second this. Duluth last year was probably overall the best regional experience I've ever had. In addition to the great city/venue, the volunteers there were fantastic. From my perspective everything seemed to run incredibly smoothly.

On behalf of all the volunteers, thanks for your support! Even though VIMS hasn't opened yet, I've been told I'm already signed up to help out again - that's how dedicated the volunteers in Minnesota are to ensuring everything goes as smoothly as possible!

[Jacob Paikoff]

Orlando - Week 2

• Average March high is 78

• Less than an hour from the beach

• Great teams

• Oh, yay this thing called Disney World

Done, we'll see you in March

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Jacob Paikoff

Orlando - Week 2

• Average March high is 78

• Less than an hour from the beach

• Great teams

• Oh, yay this thing called Disney World

Done, we'll see you in March

and Universal Studios.
I always try to make it down to Orlando because after a winter of cold gray and windy I need an infusion of sunshine (though ironically your spending all of your time indoors playing with robots) plus the Florida teams are some of the nicest teams to hang with.

[MysterE]

Ok..

I'm sure all of these places are great, but I don't think you will find a regional more culturally inspired and exciting than the Bayou. Take a stroll along the Mississippi, grab some beignets, find out your team's fortune from the palm readers in the French Quarter, and then come check out the eclectic mix of Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and others as they parade their bots through a great facility. Gotta come to the N.O.

[Gregor]

Or you could go crazy and try a regional in ANOTHER COUNTRY!

GTR West is a wonderful regional. Considered Canada's premier event, it attracts the best teams from, well everywhere. In the past we have had everyone from the Thunderchickens to Delphi ELITE, to some homegrown favourites, namely our local powerhouses.

Currently we have team 190 registered, all the way from Worcester. Very spacious regional, great volunteers, AND WE HAVE KOKO ED.

Also due to its large capacity, there is no worry about signing up for it as your second or third regional, as it rarely (if ever?) fills up.

[kstl99]

Washington, DC....OK, This is actually a question as we are thinking of going here for the first time. Anyone going to recomend DC? Anyone?

[BigJ]

Bratwurst.

*drops mic*

[Phoenix Spud]

The Duel Down Under! It is after championships right here in Sydney. We've got a great airport, hotels around the area, and the best news is it is in Australia!!!