Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Return Nationals to Columbus Ohio.

A

atomant

New Member
I started a thread a day ago titled: If Nationals will be in St.Louis in 2010. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get an answer to my question, however, I was able to touch onto a subject that perplexed me ever since Pokémon U.S.A. made the move to St.Louis: Who else missed going to Origins in Columbus Ohio?

After reading several posts on my previous thread, I noticed some valid points made. One, St.Louis was a "ghost town". This is true. In reality, there was nothing else to do but stay on site and Play Pokémon. Two, there was nothing "good" to eat. Not just the fact that there was no variety of healthy alternatives, but there were little to none restaurants in the area.

I'm in favor of returning Nationals back to Columbus Ohio. I've enjoyed the area, loved my short commute, and valued the choices of dining out as well as the variety of gaming shops and games available to play at the convention center. I'm aware that the whole purpose of the trip to Nationals is to play Pokémon, but having a choice is a good thing especially seeing is how I didn't make day two of the competition.

Agree?
 
I love the City off St. Louis as a whole, but I agree. The location wasn't good. In MY experience, there was a laundry list of problems: the food situation was HORRIBLE, the room was just a bit too small, NO ATMS ANYWHERE, the event being the lone event there wasn't much else to do, the vendors were rude and the prices both ways were ridiculous for the most part, etc.

The weekend overall was fun, but Nats being at Origins was an absolute BLAST. The situation in St. Louis was just anything but accommodating for the players.
 
I'd be highly disappointed if Nationals started going back to Origins. It's hard enough getting enough cash to travel to and stay at Columbus (or St Louis.) But adding $50 just to walk in the door? That's seriously harsh. I think I'd prefer leaving Nationals as a seperate event where POP doesn't have to answer to some other authority regarding how to run their event.
 
A little over a year ago, I was told by a PUI employee that Nats would not leave Origins and become a stand-alone event because it would be cost prohibitive.

Clearly, something changed.

PUI now knows exactly how much it costs to put on this kind of event.

I believe that if the dollars work out, Nats will remain a stand-alone event.

If not, who knows.

But I doubt that Nats will ever move back to Origins. I just don't see it.
 
There is the Veterans Memorial Center in downtown Columbus, right off of I-71, and is plenty large enough to hold an event like Nationals. So Origins is not the only option for Pokemon Nats in Columbus.
 
Why not use the same hall as origins did for Pokemon the week before/after origins uses it? That would be the best place ever IMO.
 
I would love to see the event held in a different major city each year much like the various All Star Games. Could always start with Boston next year!
 
I think there are five drivers to most of the feedback:
1) Unfamiliarity with the new location
2) The record setting heat wave
3) Main vendor pricing and treatment
4) Holiday Inn Select
5) "Its not Columbus"

There actually were a few places to eat. I was with my 6-year old daughter and we used this list:

http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/eat.asp?c=69&r=6&k=&kt=1&pt=1

Friday we ate at Hannagan's at the landing, Saturday we got McDonalds for lunch and went to TGI Fridays for dinner (Hardees was opposite and Max 'n Ermas and Hooters down the street). Sunday we had lunch at Joey B's at the landing. I think the main complaint here was the heat on Friday and Saturday that made walking a few blocks miserable. But keep in mind this was a record setting heatwave.

No ATMs? There was one literally outside the main room we were in (by the lady selling lemonade). Outside the hall there we some at banks and the hotels had atms in the lobby.

The vendor didn't float my boat either with respect to pricing or courtesy. But, without any competition....

Holiday Inn Select: all I can say is that when I looked for hotels online the guest feedback made this one a non-choice. What were some GOOD hotel experiences? We stayed at the Hilton Downtown and were very happy. The $108 price was well below Holiday Inn/Hampton etc.

Not having attended the events at Origins, I can't comment on the "not Columbus" factor. But my wife was a Buckeye so she would say nothing compares.

We had a great time on Sunday and Monday around the city. The zoo was amazing (and is free everyday). We went to the arch, the landing, saw a movie.

The single most amazing thing was meeting all of you out there in Pokemon land in person. And that won't change regardless where the event gets held.
 
Abudoggie said:
What were some GOOD hotel experiences?
We stayed at the Drury Inn and Suites Convention Center, and had a great experience. Amenities included:

1. Free Parking
2. Free Wireless Internet
3. Free Popcorn and Soda (3pm - 10 pm)
4. Free HOT breakfast, everyday
5. Managers Reception, with complimentary adult beverages and snacks, everyday

The staff were so friendly, that everytime we passed someone, we were always greeted cheerfully, whether they were working the front desk or cleaning up rooms. It was an amazing and positive experience.

^_^
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I'm not against having it in Columbus but i i wouldn't want it to be part of origins. This was my first season playing the game and i wouldn't have been able to go to nationals if i had to pay to get in. I suggest that it stay somewhere in the Midwest for overall convenience. I think Chicago, St Louis, Indianapolis, and Columbus would all be great choices for nats as long as they plan it well
 
Vllgidiot said:
I'm not against having it in Columbus but i i wouldn't want it to be part of origins. This was my first season playing the game and i wouldn't have been able to go to nationals if i had to pay to get in. I suggest that it stay somewhere in the Midwest for overall convenience. I think Chicago, St Louis, Indianapolis, and Columbus would all be great choices for nats as long as they plan it well
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Totally fair statements and any of those cities would be quite acceptable from a logistical standpoint. (Though the current Pokémon staff support of the region no doubt plays a big part in the decision, too, and Vince is one of the best.) Also reasonable would be a bit farther south, like Houston or New Orleans (though, if you thought St Louis was hot, you'd probably lean away from that.)
 
I think bringing it back to Origins, is a great idea. Other ideas, back in Columbus the week before or after Origins, or Indy where they hold Gen Con(Again a Week before or after Origins) conflicting with Origins was kind of in bad taste, because it was on purpose.
 
Why go to Columbus if it's out of the context of Origins?

If you haven't been around, Columbus isn't really that great.

Put it somewhere great. Chicago, Boston, DC, Philadelphia, Seattle, Dallas, ...

But stay out of the mid-range markets like St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, ...

In the end, I think it's probably cost-prohibitive for PUI to do Nats in a class A city so it will remain in places like St. Louis and Columbus.

But one can dream.
 
Abudoggie said:
What were some GOOD hotel experiences?
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I was at the Marriott at Union Station. Got it off Hotwire for $64 per night (before taxes and all that junk), and it was great. Although these were technically part of Union Station and not the hotel, there was a food court, two full sized restaurants, and the entire building was GORGEOUS. The hotel section is a little maze-like, but it was a great experience for me. The metrolink stops for the convention center and the union station were MAYBE 2 minutes walking from the buildings (more like a minute if you hit the lights right), and it was only four train stops. I just bought a week-long pass, which was $23.50.

Nothing at all for me to complain about in terms of the the accommodations. :smile:
 
I stayed at the Quality Inn near the airport, and used the Metrolink to get down to the convention center. I only paid $60/night for the room, and it was sufficient for what I needed.
 
The Gorn said:
Why go to Columbus if it's out of the context of Origins?

If you haven't been around, Columbus isn't really that great.

Put it somewhere great. Chicago, Boston, DC, Philadelphia, Seattle, Dallas, ...

But stay out of the mid-range markets like St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, ...

In the end, I think it's probably cost-prohibitive for PUI to do Nats in a class A city so it will remain in places like St. Louis and Columbus.

But one can dream.
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Yea i see what you mean, it would be expensive having it at a bigger city, though a neighboring suburb of a bigger city would lower costs while allowing people to enjoy the city. I'm not against the smaller cities like St. Louis, Kansas City and so on. I believe as long as its planned well any of those can work fine
 
wow, st louis worst then ohio?

i didnt go to st louis as im going to san diego for worlds this year, but i definitely dont want nats at ohio next year. I HATE origins, its a lame con and ohio is hella boring. At least in st louis i can go to a baseball game and see the greatest hitter in the game. Pujols> All of Ohio

Good Game
 
I live near Boston, and would love it to be there for convenience purposes, but in all honesty Boston is not that great of a city. I'd love a rotating location, and my top pick would be the beautiful city of Atlanta. Or how about Las Vegas? :p
(Yes I'm kidding about Vegas, PLEASE don't hold it there!)

Places I'm okay with: St. Louis, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, New Orleans, DC, Indianapolis, Hartford, Providence, Jackson, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Kansas City.

Place's I DON'T want to see it: Boston (sort of), New York, Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, Las Vegas, or any sunny beachside vacation spot (Miami, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hawaii). The vacation spots should be for Worlds.
 
$129 a night for "premium" suite at Wyndam Hotel. One block down from the Convention center. Two double beds in main room, pull out couch in a separate area that could be closed off with french doors. Two flat screen wall mounted TVs (one in each area). Clean and spacious. Super friendly staff. Unfortunately the pool was closed due to construction. I would stay there again.

When we were at Origins, we never left the venue. Nothing to see, nothing to do.
St. Louis is a place worth getting back to. MetroLink was great. Took it to Laclede's Landing for dinner at Hannigans one night, spaghetti factory the next night. Also did the Arch. Plan to do Union Station next year.

Now that we've all been there, we will be in better shape to get food (subway, quiznos was a HOT 4 block walk) and not rely on what's in the convention center. Loved the starbucks right across the street, and the deli down the block that was selling icecold bottled water 2 for a$1.

It was also really nice to have everything Pokemon related in one room, esp. for those of us with kids we're trying to keep an eye on. And not having to spend the $50 entry fee was a huge savings. Overall, Nats at St. Louis was about $200 cheaper for us than Nats in Ohio. Cheaper hotel, cheaper transportation from the airport, cheaper food options, and no entry fee.
 
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