Choosing between Richmond, VA and Palmetto, SC Regionals

[Monochron]

My team is going to choose between the Richmond or Palmetto regional as an additional regional to go to this year and I was hoping to get opinions of which would be better.

Our team is in its second year and would probably like to avoid a super intense regional like SVR and others. We also want a location that is interesting / has interesting stuff to do as the current regional is only about a 20 minute drive from our lab and is more of less out in a pasture. That's really all the requirements we have, I'm just looking to figure out which regional is more fun or offers a better experience.

Thanks

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by Monochron

My team is going to choose between the Richmond or Palmetto regional as an additional regional to go to this year and I was hoping to get opinions of which would be better.

Our team is in its second year and would probably like to avoid a super intense regional like SVR and others. We also want a location that is interesting / has interesting stuff to do as the current regional is only about a 20 minute drive from our lab and is more of less out in a pasture. That's really all the requirements we have, I'm just looking to figure out which regional is more fun or offers a better experience.

Thanks

Virginia is our home regional that we attend every year, but we have also been to Palmetto twice.

The Virginia regional has been a very well run regional for a long time and we always have a very good time. The team social on Saturday is usually held at the Virginia Science Museum, which you area allowed to walk around free of cost. There is also a lot to do in the area. One thing to keep in mind at this venue is that you cannot bring in outside food or drinks. There are however a lot of places within walking distance, and they sell food at the concession stands (of course it is over priced).

We went to Palmetto two years ago when they first moved down to Myrtle Beach. The new venue is fantastic and there is always a lot to do in that area. The hotels are also decently priced since it is not tourist season at that time of the year.

I wish I could help you decide which one to go to, but both have been very good in my opinion. However, we would love to see you at our home regional and let me know if you have any other questions.

[mrmummert]

Hello...

I can't add much to what Matt has already said...VCU is our home regional
also and we went with them to Palmetto two years ago (we shared a bus and hotel with them). Richmond at that time of year probably will have the minor league Baseball team in town (the Richmond Squirrels) and there are a lot of music and theater venues near-by. Also while we've never had time to do it... Kings Dominion park is just up the road. Mrytle Beach on the other hand has its beach and some smaller amusments and restaurants open that time of year.

Being that Palmetto is held in the off tourist season for tourists the hotels
are usually cheaper. Richmond hotels will cost you more. I can see why your not thrilled with the NC regional (I've visited it twice in 2010 and 2013 and volunteered there in 2012) theres not much near it, but you could always see
if there is something going on in Raleigh if your team has the time.

[Wetzel]

Small correction, the team social at VCU has usually been on Friday night, not Saturday.

I'd look at dates and hotel/travel costs as a primary driver for choice between the two, and have a backup plan in case they fill up before you can register.

Wetzel

[ttldomination]

I cannot speak to the VA Regional, however, I have attended the Palmetto regional for the past two years.

The venue, location, and the teams are all excellent. You're playing in a great venue at the heart of Myrtle Beach. Along with your basic "beach town" attractions, rides, and shops, you have the actual beach, which is remarkably close to the stadium.

The stadium itself is fairly nice. The seating is plentiful, the pits are spacious, and the lighting is nice. The practice field could use some work, as in the past, they've just been basic wooden pieces shoved in a corner.

I will say, however, that our experience with the refereeing at the Palmetto regional has been less than positive. While I understand that week 1 regionals have issues and last year's game was particularly brutal, the reffing at the Palmetto regional has consistently been below par.

To address the regional difficulty, I definitely think that the regional is average, if maybe slightly above average. The regional powerhouses have a strong showing, and the Palmetto regional usually draws powerful teams from all over the south east region plus a few teams from the north who think they're going to get the easy win. However, if there is another event is added in the SE, the competition level at the Palmetto regional could drastically decrease.

Overall, I'd recommend the regional, but Palmetto comes with its set of week 1 and reffing issues.

- Sunny G.

[Alec]

I have been to the Palmetto regional twice. Once in 2011 when it was in Charleston and last year when it was in Mrytle Beach. Last year, our experience as a team was great. We enjoyed the regional, there were teams from two other countries and across the states which is always a plus. The venue was one of the best I have been to. The regional was well run and the volunteers were friendly. Also, I know that we received a pretty good deal on hotel rooms that were beachfront since it was their off season. The only down side is that the regional is week one, but I know that some teams like that extra pressure. I have not been to the Virginia Regional so I can not give you any feedback. Good luck!

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

I will say, however, that our experience with the refereeing at the Palmetto regional has been less than positive. While I understand that week 1 regionals have issues and last year's game was particularly brutal, the reffing at the Palmetto regional has consistently been below par.

If you're choosing between VA or SC (or what feels like any event in the southeast) based on referee quality, God help you.

Palmetto is a very popular travel regional and Virginia is a very popular local regional ever since MAR went to districts. If you want to meet a lot of teams from across the East Coast, going to Palmetto is a good idea. If you want to go to a regional with a lot of teams with a lot of history together, go to Virginia.

With Palmetto in Week 1 you get the baggage that comes with being a Week 1 regional and in Virginia you get the baggage that comes with it being an FRC Regional in Virginia (insert grinding axe here).

The Virginia Regional benefits from being in probably the coolest city around and has a lot of fun parks and good museums to visit.

[brrian27]

I can't say much for Palmetto, but Virginia is great!

We attended the Virginia Regional this year as our first out-of-state regional, and we had an awesome experience. All the other teams were very welcoming and interested in us being there. We quickly made friends with 1418, 1533, and others. We ended up being picked by 1418 for eliminations and made it to the finals with them and 435 (who are from NC like you guys). Before we had never even made it past quarters, but that's not to say the competition was a cakewalk. There were many amazing teams and robots, and the competition was tough. It was nice for us to get out of our usual Florida regionals, and experience something new.

Virginia was the perfect place to do that. Welcoming people, nice area, good competition, and a great experience!

[Billfred]

As someone who has attended all eleven Palmetto Regionals and none of the Virginia events, here's my pitch:

1) Palmetto is the first regional in the nation. Say what you want about Week 1, but my understanding is that at least one of the two years (and maybe both) we've been there, we got off the first this-really-counts qualification match in the world. Take from that what you will.

2) Palmetto is the largest regional in FIRST. Or at least it was last year, at 67 teams--FIRST's usual limit is 65, but some late-registering local rookies made the organizers twist FIRST's arm on that.

3) Palmetto has a heck of a crew. The volunteers are super nice, and 10-year head ref Terrell Burch has been a Championship division head ref and has worked multiple Einstein crews. If there's a problem with the reffing, it's garbage in garbage out. The judges also seem to call it down the middle for awards, definitely more so than some regionals I've attended elsewhere (no names). Aside from 4451's inexplicable lack of an Imagery Award win (I mean, come on!), the hardware seems to find the best homes regardless of where the teams are from.

4) Anyone can win Palmetto! In the eleven years of the event, only four teams have won it more than once: 11 (2004, 2006, 2013), 281 (2004, 2012), 1261 (2010, 2014), and 2815 (2011, 2012). I'm sure that Simbotics or Cheesy Poofs could come in here for a few years and change the math, but in practice nobody runs away with it.

5) You're at the beach! Okay, sure, it's February and you're probably not going in the water. Still, we've had good luck finding food and things to do. Palmetto has been one of the last to host a proper Team Social; there wasn't one in 2014, but they still gave out ice cream Friday night in the lobby, which is 80% of the fun and 0% of the busing.

[Monochron]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. The whole first week thing is definitely intimidating, but Palmetto really looks attractive aside from that. It's going to be a tough choice but we'll put it to the students and see what feedback they have as well. Thanks again!

[346CADmen]

As a VA team, I'll be biased as well.
Our team attends Palmetto as well as VA. Both are great events and the team enjoys them.
My only point to sway your decision is the social event. In VA the kids have a ball, mentors usually find it entertaining as well. In Palmetto...... maybe you can find a restaurant that will seat your whole team.

[Lil' Lavery]

I haven't been to Palmetto, but the Siegel Center (Virginia regional) is my favorite venue to watch an FRC regional I've been to. Good size, good seating, great atmosphere. Load-in ramp is steep and long, but you don't have to use an elevator or navigate corridors to load in your pit. Team social is also a huge plus.

[JohnFogarty]

I can only speak for Palmetto since I've never attended VA. Where Palmetto is now is far beyond any other regional I've experienced the past few years. Obviously there are issues that come along with being the first test subjects of a new game. Outside of game reliant issues, Palmetto is a fantastic event. The pits are spacious, the Myrtle Beach area has plenty of hotels, and restaurants among other things, and the folks are generally friendly. Most of the other good points have been made, but I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.

I've attended the Orlando, Peach-tree, and past Palmetto Regional events and the current situation in Myrtle Beach is by far my favourite.

[1629GaCo]

Go to Palmetto.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by 1629GaCo

Go to Palmetto.

Did you guys not enjoy yourselves at Virginia this year? Any particular reasons for suggesting Palmetto over Virginia?