I voted NJ, but given the choice, I’d definitely vote Palmetto. There’s a great atmosphere. The people are nice, and it’s a bit less competitive. It’s relaxed, but somehow always on time. You don’t get the rushed feeling of NJ, and the surrounding area is better too. (IHOP is awesome!)
Plus, Palmetto is WARM!
The UTC Regional gets my vote, despite me being biased towards Chesapeake because it is so entertaining to watch the competition. Actually all of them are in a way very entertaining to watch on Webcast.
Chesapeake is up and coming. I’m pretty sure it will be one of the ones to watch in not only this year but years to come as the local teams continue to get better and better and live up to the ‘travellers’. Except Chesapeake is one of those regionals that is in absolute need of 2 fields just to field the teams that want to come down there (because the whole Annapolis atmosphere and the way everything is coordinated (though there are no socials yet) is just so awesome). It’s intense in the stands, but teams have to (and generally do) find crazy ways to do it. With UTC, the intensity seems there from the start and much greater (and it carries onto the field this way because the competition appears to be so even).
Well, I’ve only been to the NJ Regional, so thats what I voted for! ^^; Last year our team went to Boston, and I heard they had a blast there. I couldn’t go.
But, I believe any regional can be the “best” so long as you put in the effort to make it your best! As long as I have fun, I don’t care which regional I’m at. 
I’ll try to be as unbiased as I can here.
Boston was definetly one of the best regionals I’ve been to. A great atmosphere and everything went so smoothly. It can only get better next year. Look how quickly it filled up this year!
Phili is a fun regional too, but the arena is a little small. I went there a few years back it was a fun time; felt very ‘homey’.
From what I hear the UTC/hartford 's Connecticut convention center is superb so I’m sure that’ll be a great regional.
I’m going to Chesapeake regional this year. It’s at the naval academy which is a terrific venue so I look forward to that.
But… NJ is a beast. It’s a very old regional (11 years!) and they have a ton of loyal, veteran teams that attend (11, 25, 56, 75, 103). Its a really intense regional though. People are helpful, but everyone is running around at 200% speed. Probably has something to do with being a first-week regional. Add on top of that that I think we’re outgrowing sovereign. Still, its a great time.
I think for travel NYC is the best.
There are three major airports- making it easy and cheap to get flights from anywhere.
There are lots of different types of ground transportations when you’re here.
There are lots of stuff to see and do.
It is a pretty safe city these days
Food is actually cheap if you eat with the locals.
Every ethic group is represented here.
You can select from hundreds of hotels and you won’t even need a car.
You can go for kabobs and egg-cream soda at 3am if you wish.
The city runs 24 hours and 7 days a week.
And the shopping… oh the shopping! 
It is difficult to get lost, just count the street numbers and Manhattan is an island (2 miles by 13 miles); you can’t get lost for too long!
:]
I’ll rate the East Coast regionals that I’ve been to.
Chesapeake (2003, 2004, 2005):
Big venue with alot of teams. The venue may be too large though, as you don’t get that “atmosphere” and feeling of excitement you get at some smaller events. The field typically has a few upper teir teams in FIRST, but usually lacks depth after the first and second levels of teams. Bonus points for Jeff Seaton as MC though.
5.5/10
Philly @ Drexel (2001, but I also attended twice when it was at Temple):
Smaller venue and a small field of teams, but “pound for pound” may be one of the most competative regionals. Many loyal upper level teams attend (341, 357, 365, etc.). Smaller venue lends to a more intense and friendly atmosphere.
7.5/10
Peachtree (2006):
Held at a convention center, so seating is inferior to that in a sporting venue. Feeling in the arena is similar to Chesapeake, as it doesn’t generate the same atmosphere as VCU, Philly or some other regionals. A mid-sized field of teams, most from Georgia, and a few from other locations in the South. Rarely draws teams from further than Virginia. Convention center does allow for a full sized practice field (provided by 1002 in 2006), and judges rooms away from the action (which can be preferable for preparing to do a Chairman’s presentation). Worst food ever though. Lower competative level than other regionals leads for a higher unpredicability and ability for rookies to compete well.
6/10
VCU (2001-2006):
The absolute best venue I have ever expierienced (and I have expierienced 13 different venues for FIRST competitions). Large field of teams, a vast majority from Virginia. Most of the teams are local and lower budget, meaning there is a great deal of paridy, allowing for unpredictability, excitement, and rookie competition. Draws loyalty from many outside travelling teams (843 has come down from Canada 3 or 4 times, 447 came two years in a row from Indiana, 383 made several trips from Brazil), and local teams alike (very few decide to goto Chesapeake instead of VCU). Has a small “upper crust” of highly competative teams, and occasionally draws major outside competitors (33, 64, 365). Close proximity to a Krispy Kreme. Often the site of the first “game hint” for the next seasons competition. Jeff Seaton is also MC!
9/10
i would have to say the best regional in the east is NJ and i have proof, if you look back at the history of the Mid-Atlantic Regional, all those “crazy scary” midwest teams that everyone is afraid to loose too, used to come out to Jersey to compete, and have never won the regional away from the east coast, and now they are too afraid to come back to where it all began just to be beaten
1997 what is now team 75
1998 what is now 175 Buzz
1999 teams 75 and 89
2000 Teams 25, 293 , and 175
Missing out on all the best
Palmetto and Jersey of course!
I’m a little biased, but I’d say my favourite in the East is GTR. I also loved Finger Lakes when my team went there while I was in high school! (I didn’t make it to the 2006 one unfortunately.)
Truly depends on the definition of Best. Therefore, all above arguements are valid within their specified parameters. Congrats all of East, you have the best regionals.
I’m kinda biased, if I say NJ, seeing as how it’s my home regional, but I love Philly too.
NJ has always had a great team of volunteers behind it, and the competition is as fierce as any Championship event, however the arena is a little iffy (although we’re trying to fix that for this year)
NJ might have me and Chiniqua, but so does Philly (we’re an equal opportunity supporter)
Philly the fans are great, the crowd gets pumped…plus it’s only a walking distance to Cereality…a cafe that serves only cereal…it’s great.
Excluding the NYC Regional,
my top three (from past experiences and from speaking to other mentors & coaches) East coast Regionals are:
- NJ Regional- competitive, awesome plays and entertaining
- VCU Regional- Friendly, big and fun
- Long Island- friendly, comfortable and a place I can bring the whole family.
Is there anyone in FIRST who has attended every one of these regionals? Otherwise how can anyone attest to making an actual informed opinion when there is so much unknown?
My viewpoint comes from attending Granite State Regional, NJ, Philly, Pittsburgh, Finger Lakes, Detroit, Waterloo, GTR, West Michigan and Buckeye. No I haven’t seen them all yet but I am trying.
My top picks from best to worst
UTC
Finger Lakes
Boston
New Jersey
VCU
Florida
Philadeplphia
New Hampshire
Long Island
Chesapeake
NYC
(I have been to UTC, Fingerlakes, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Long Island, New Hampshire, NYC)
I have to vote for the hometown regional, UTC-Connecticut.
My team has been to NJ, Philly, UTC, Florida, Long Island, and Granite State. I have had a lot of contact with teams that said good things about Boston, Chesapeake and Finger Lakes. This year we are going to tryout Toronto to see what all the shouting is about…out West
I’ll let you guess my vote
Steve, Expand your viewpoint. Come visit the Chesapeake (-;
Ed, you’ve identified one skew for the events. Here’s a few more:
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the age of the Regional (the younger Finger Lakes scores quite well against grandfather New Jersey – give it a few more years)
-
the number of different teams who have attended the specific regional over the years (VCU is a large regional, Pittsburgh is smaller, so even if they were equal in age, VCU should receive more raw votes just due to the fact that more teams would pass through)
As Ed says, “Best” is a poor descriptor for this judgement. “Favorite” would be a better one.
My favorite is always "The Next One!"
It’s the same weekend as Detroit. However if I don’t get asked there is a chance that I might make the trip.