Discussion of VA Regionals Location

[Rogue Archetype]

Wait a minute. . . .

You booked the DOGWOOD ROOM again ???

aw... this is not an ideal situation.

Is it too late to get a Hotel like the year before last?

Because the Dogwood room is NOT a good accomodation for Regionals. It's simply not enough room.

 

[Shadow Zangoose]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWait a minute. . . .

You booked the DOGWOOD ROOM again man???

aw... this is not an ideal situation.

Is it too late to get a Hotel like the year before last?

Because the Dogwood room is NOT a good accomodation for Regionals. It's simply not enough room.

I thought there was plenty of room, myself. It had just enough room for the players, and there were places around that they could congregate to. The café downstairs, the tables outside or, you know, outside in general. Fresh air doesn't hurt anybody. There were empty tables pretty much every round from what I remember, too. Plus, the hotel had even less player space.

Another big boon was that food was quite literally right there. A Domino's Pizza in the same building, five minutes down the road or so for a good Mexican restaurant, McD's, etc.

I'm pretty excited that it's here again. Should be awesome : )

 

[PokeMedic]

I thought there was plenty of room

You don't remember the life-sized blood clot in the hallway outside? Every inch of space was occupied by some person and it was very difficult to maneuver around outside of the game area, which I think we had to leave when we were finished with our rounds. I wouldn't be surprised if it violated a fire code or two.

 

[Feraligatr]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWait a minute. . . .

You booked the DOGWOOD ROOM again man???

aw... this is not an ideal situation.

Is it too late to get a Hotel like the year before last?

Because the Dogwood room is NOT a good accomodation for Regionals. It's simply not enough room.

Proving you can't please everyone.
I did not get a lot of complaints after the event.
I did hear that several liked the venue because of food right there.
Yes the hallway is small but is not meant to be a holding area.
We had plenty of space for the players...as a matter of fact with only 166 players and seating for 210.

You must not have been at the hotel because I had a lot of issues there...
Non functioning speaker system, no internet, complaints about cold temperatures, etc...

 

[Argyris]

I loved this venue, personally. I'm glad to see it back in the same place again this year.

 

[Lawman]

I 2nd what Jeff said. The hotel was BAAD. Too cold, no speakers, no internet.....just baaaad. The Dogwood Room is nice. Food downstairs is NICE.

As an aside.....booking venues is not the easiest thing to do in the world, especially with a fixed budget. I commend Jeff and all the PTOs that run Reg's in finding good locales.

Keith

 

[vanderbilt_grad]

My thought is that the Dogwood Room was OK.

On the plus side, the food was really good. The room itself in terms of look and tables was nice. Parking was fine. Temperature control was acceptable and a big improvement over the arctic cold of the hotel from the year previous. I liked the surrounding area, both from an accommodation perspective and from the choices of restaurants and such for the before and after event stay. Overall I had a really good time last year playing in the Dogwood Room.

On the negative side, I have horrible memories of that hallway. It was TERRIBLE between rounds. This is pretty much the main reason that I’m not excited about going back. The room might be able to seat a few more folks, but that hallway was already insufficient for the number we had last year. If attendance goes up that alone could be a disaster.

While you had 166 last year attendance was 192 in 2009. Going over 210 isn’t a big jump from that 2009 number. Given how well last year went it’s not a stretch to think that people who went elsewhere due to the various 2009 issues could come back with more newcomers.

Speaker system wise, sure , Jeff, you could talk to the room, but no one in the hallway, downstairs, or outside waiting between rounds was able to hear anything you said. It’s a very tough location to ensure that as a player you are actually out of the playing area yet able to be ready for the next round when your match is done. I would actually call the speakers a wash on the positive / negative scale largely because of this.

Again, it’s not a terrible location and was in many many ways an improvement over the previous year, but it wasn’t ideal either. I’m not going to complain because of what Keith said. You guys go out of your way to find places to hold events. I fully understand limiting factors like budgets and the effort that would have been needed to find a new location. However I want to put some of the other stuff on the table. Hopefully this isn’t just me whining and it’s something you guys can work with … perhaps finding another area for folks to wait between rounds aside from the hallway. Maybe you can have someone outside with a radio or phone that can announce when rounds are about to start and encourage folks to go outside (weather permitting) when their matches are over. Perhaps overflow contingency planning can be done now (or is already in place) so that if attendance goes up it’s not an issue. Anyway here’s to hoping for another fantastic event!

 

[ncpicachufan2000]

My thought is that the Dogwood Room was OK.

On the plus side, the food was really good. The room itself in terms of look and tables was nice. Parking was fine. Temperature control was acceptable and a big improvement over the arctic cold of the hotel from the year previous. I liked the surrounding area, both from an accommodation perspective and from the choices of restaurants and such for the before and after event stay. Overall I had a really good time last year playing in the Dogwood Room.

On the negative side, I have horrible memories of that hallway. It was TERRIBLE between rounds. This is pretty much the main reason that I’m not excited about going back. The room might be able to seat a few more folks, but that hallway was already insufficient for the number we had last year. If attendance goes up that alone could be a disaster.

While you had 166 last year attendance was 192 in 2009. Going over 210 isn’t a big jump from that 2009 number. Given how well last year went it’s not a stretch to think that people who went elsewhere due to the various 2009 issues could come back with more newcomers.

Speaker system wise, sure , Jeff, you could talk to the room, but no one in the hallway, downstairs, or outside waiting between rounds was able to hear anything you said. It’s a very tough location to ensure that as a player you are actually out of the playing area yet able to be ready for the next round when your match is done. I would actually call the speakers a wash on the positive / negative scale largely because of this.

Again, it’s not a terrible location and was in many many ways an improvement over the previous year, but it wasn’t ideal either. I’m not going to complain because of what Keith said. You guys go out of your way to find places to hold events. I fully understand limiting factors like budgets and the effort that would have been needed to find a new location. However I want to put some of the other stuff on the table. Hopefully this isn’t just me whining and it’s something you guys can work with … perhaps finding another area for folks to wait between rounds aside from the hallway. Maybe you can have someone outside with a radio or phone that can announce when rounds are about to start and encourage folks to go outside (weather permitting) when their matches are over. Perhaps overflow contingency planning can be done now (or is already in place) so that if attendance goes up it’s not an issue. Anyway here’s to hoping for another fantastic event!

Hey Todd...the point is if you want it moved- then out grow it!

Sounds like you need to go to Atlanta this year...

 

[TarotXV]

I bet they listen in Atlanta

Hey Todd...the point is if you want it moved- then out grow it!

Sounds like you need to go to Atlanta this year...

Vanderbilt_grad makes some excellent points.

He is quite correct in his praise for the room itself. Read his comment again and see all the positive things he says about the playing space. It was spacious, the temperature was good, and the speakers could be heard.

He also gives well-deserved kudos to the surrounding area with its choice of restaurants.

In addition, he offers his understanding of how difficult it can be to organize a tournament of this magnitude with its limiting factors such as budgets (and, I would add, all the time and effort). When is the last time you read a player go out of their way to sympathize with what organizers have to go through.

His twin grievances were about the hallway (which was small and crowded) and the inability to communicate with the participants who were downstairs. With both of his examples, he offers constructive criticism and possible solutions of what could be done (i.e., the runner).

Given that Internet boards are impersonal and some people simply like to whine and gripe and moan and kvetch ad nauseum about this that and the other, Vanderbilt_grad should be commended for his positive comments about last year's events. Also, his constructive criticism and concerns should at least be listened to instead of being brushed off and being told to go to Atlanta.

 

[supertyranitar]

My thought is that the Dogwood Room was OK.

On the plus side, the food was really good. The room itself in terms of look and tables was nice. Parking was fine. Temperature control was acceptable and a big improvement over the arctic cold of the hotel from the year previous. I liked the surrounding area, both from an accommodation perspective and from the choices of restaurants and such for the before and after event stay. Overall I had a really good time last year playing in the Dogwood Room.

On the negative side, I have horrible memories of that hallway. It was TERRIBLE between rounds. This is pretty much the main reason that I’m not excited about going back. The room might be able to seat a few more folks, but that hallway was already insufficient for the number we had last year. If attendance goes up that alone could be a disaster.

While you had 166 last year attendance was 192 in 2009. Going over 210 isn’t a big jump from that 2009 number. Given how well last year went it’s not a stretch to think that people who went elsewhere due to the various 2009 issues could come back with more newcomers.

Speaker system wise, sure , Jeff, you could talk to the room, but no one in the hallway, downstairs, or outside waiting between rounds was able to hear anything you said. It’s a very tough location to ensure that as a player you are actually out of the playing area yet able to be ready for the next round when your match is done. I would actually call the speakers a wash on the positive / negative scale largely because of this.

Again, it’s not a terrible location and was in many many ways an improvement over the previous year, but it wasn’t ideal either. I’m not going to complain because of what Keith said. You guys go out of your way to find places to hold events. I fully understand limiting factors like budgets and the effort that would have been needed to find a new location. However I want to put some of the other stuff on the table. Hopefully this isn’t just me whining and it’s something you guys can work with … perhaps finding another area for folks to wait between rounds aside from the hallway. Maybe you can have someone outside with a radio or phone that can announce when rounds are about to start and encourage folks to go outside (weather permitting) when their matches are over. Perhaps overflow contingency planning can be done now (or is already in place) so that if attendance goes up it’s not an issue. Anyway here’s to hoping for another fantastic event!

From what I remember, there were people sent down to collect those that were in the Coffee shop and what not, and Jeff only made announcements when all the players were seated. As a result, that was not a real issue.

As far as the Hallway is concerned, the people crowding it around it had no real reason to, at least not by the doors. When it came to the other part of the hallway, where the vendor was situated, that was different. But, it's no wonder that the hallway was hard to navigate through - it's not a holding area. It's not meant to house a lot of people at once. Really, there's no reason to have to crowd around that particular area when there are other spaces available. As long as a Judge can be sent down to collect the players, players can be out of the play area with no problems. I know I, along some others I know, were out of the play area with no difficulty whatsoever, and were at our tables in a timely manner.

It'd be a luxury to have one person being able to stand and/or walk around in the other areas, simply there to collect the players, but there's only so much that can be done. And, in all honesty, I don't think that's necessary.

The room itself is great, the fact that it can hold 210 is more than enough space for everyone. Everyone doesn't have to wait by the hallway after being done with a round so as to get back for the next round. There's other places to occupy - specifically, the coffee shop, which has a lot of room for people both indoors and out. And, if all else fails, simply go outside, as there are other places to sit as well.

Vanderbilt_grad makes some excellent points.

He is quite correct in his praise for the room itself. Read his comment again and see all the positive things he says about the playing space. It was spacious, the temperature was good, and the speakers could be heard.

He also gives well-deserved kudos to the surrounding area with its choice of restaurants.

In addition, he offers his understanding of how difficult it can be to organize a tournament of this magnitude with its limiting factors such as budgets (and, I would add, all the time and effort). When is the last time you read a player go out of their way to sympathize with what organizers have to go through.

His twin grievances were about the hallway (which was small and crowded) and the inability to communicate with the participants who were downstairs. With both of his examples, he offers constructive criticism and possible solutions of what could be done (i.e., the runner).

Given that Internet boards are impersonal and some people simply like to whine and gripe and moan and kvetch ad nauseum about this that and the other, Vanderbilt_grad should be commended for his positive comments about last year's events. Also, his constructive criticism and concerns should at least be listened to instead of being brushed off and being told to go to Atlanta.

I'm going to be honest here. After constant complaints about the hallway, it gets a little tiresome to hear about that one space, Especially when there was not complaints about it last year. I honestly do not understand as to how so many complain about that one hallway when it's already been addressed that it's not a holding area, so it's going to be small. There are other places to congregate to, as I have pointed out. The coffee shop is a good place to go to after a round is done. From what I remember, players got to their tables in a timely manner, despite not being in the hallway, and waiting for the next round. It truly isn't the PTO's fault that many felt the necessity to crowd around that one area alone, and, if need be, I'm sure he could clear them out if it must be done.

Just my honest opinion. I look forward to Regionals, as I love this place. I don't remember the Hallway being that much of an issue, outside of people crowding around it for no particular reason. You can't see anything from the window, and as long as someone is sent out to let players know about the next round, it really should not be an issue.

 

[vanderbilt_grad]

Look, the event last year went really well overall. I suspect that it will be great this year too. I'm not trying to bash anyone or tarnish any good feelings from last year. Maybe I shouldn't have posted here, but I guess what's done is done. Best wishes to all involved. No hard feelings from me and I'm sorry if I was or am out of line. No more from me on this topic.

 

[amphy#1]

I think to inprove our experience playing at reginals this year, Jeff needs to make an anouncemrnt that players shouldn't hang/crowd around the hall between/after rounds. And we'll send someone outside, the coffee shop, etc.. to collect players for the next rounds. Mabee that can help. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ShadowCard]

Please note that some of us have allergies and would really prefer to NOT be sent outside. :frown:

The coffee shop was very nice about us hanging out in their area. It would have been just as easy to say "buy something or get out" because the players did take up a lot of customer space, and we weren't customers after lunch unless we bought something else.

Look, the event last year went really well overall. I suspect that it will be great this year too. I'm not trying to bash anyone or tarnish any good feelings from last year. Maybe I shouldn't have posted here, but I guess what's done is done. Best wishes to all involved. No hard feelings from me and I'm sorry if I was or am out of line. No more from me on this topic.

It would appear that constructive criticism is welcomed at the Atlanta event .

 

[Feraligatr]

So where were all these complaints last year???
The only person I remember voicing a concern was Rogue Archetype.
Also why now...would it not have been better last year after the event???
So I am supposed to magically change venues now right before???
As Keith posted it is next to impossible to find a venue now since April is wedding month along with other things.

Tim I welcome suggestions but it would really have been nice to have had this last year after the event and not 2 months before the event.

As I previously posted you can't please everyone...
Also as I posted the hallway was NOT a holding area.
We are looking at options for this year to helo with an "overflow" area.
We will be looking for an even better venue for next year and hopefully have more than 166 players like last year.

Last post on this subject...
I think this has "beaten" this subject enough...

 

[yoyofsho16]

Solution to hallway hearing?
Send a runner down the hallways each round when something significant happens.

The venue was nice, just go for a walk between rounds or something! Keep the flooding... low.

 

[Rogue Archetype]

Haven't been in here for awhile.

Anyway...

I told Jeff my thoughts face-to-face while at NATS last year.

The hotel had some technical issues, but the space was IDEAL.
It had empty tables for parents to sort of sit and wait, outlets for parents to rock the laptops, and a spacious hallway WITH resturant and other spaces. A hotel in RICHMOND (and not on the outskirts) would be even better. (see VA States location for 2011 ..lol)

I don't think anyone is viewing this from the perspective that it NEEDS to viewed from: The PARENTS perspective.

If you're concerned about growing the game and getting our JUNIORS excited about these large events, then you NEED to consider their parents.

I actually had most of my juniors get PULLED OUT of Pokemon after that event because the parents were so uncomfortable with that venue.

Parents being told to just dissapear into an incredibly unfit "waiting area" that was THE HALLWAY was just rediculous. Parents of new Juniors want to kinda have an eye out for their little ones.

Juniors are also shoved over into a corner and seperarated from their parents. Some were distracted (I was the head judge for Juniors) by the fact that they couldn't get a glance at their parents. I remember being torn by a kid (who was just getting PUMMELED 0-4 by that time) if he could just have his dad nearby.

My problem with the way things went down is this: We are just TOO ACCOMDATING for "the masters" who are there for selfish reasons (ratings, fame, glory, prizes bla bla bla) and it's like we're just "tolerating" the presence of our juniors and their parents. That's the message we send when the parents are straight BOOTED out of the building (becuase they're NOT standing out in that jam-packed hallway full of vulgarities and body funk).

I have an appreciation for what Jeff is tasked with.

However, SOMEBODY has to ask the hard questions here:

1. Why aren't we factoring in our JUNIORS and New Junior parents into our logistical decision making?
2. Why aren't we COLLABORATING with the VIRGINIA PEOPLE who know where all of the HOT SPOTS ARE??????
3. ( refer to question #2) !!!

I could give you 10 locations off the top of my head in VA that would be better than the Dogwood room.

I just don't get it.

Now, I know some people will TRY to get at me about this post, but you can't win.

I believe in what I'm saying and I think I'm right.

I probably have the most JUNIOR HEAVY league in the region right now (we add 4 new juniors EVERY week); I cater to the kids and I focus on Spirit of the Game first and foremost. I really sell this game to my new parents as something that's "all about the kids." Our regionals has NOT been consistent with this claim. In fact, it's really trying to appease the masters division.

What's done is done though man.... I really wish there had been a more collaborative effort.

My sentinment is heartfelt.

I'm beyond disgruntled with the location and ... that's how I feel... and I have that right.

 

[Lawman]

@R_A: When you are chosen to run a Reg, you can pick the location :wink:

Really though, I thought you were better than this Mr Washington. Dogging out one of the hardest working PTOs in America over the selection of a GOOD venue. Is it perfect? No. HTF perfect locales at a decent rate in late April. Weddings are mighty popular around then.

JRs in the corner?? The room is rectangular. Parents not being able to see the kids? Come on man.

As to the perceived lack of collaboration w/ VA locals....do you know if Jeff and David talked? As it is, this location is a heckuva drive for the PTO that is running it. Gotta consider that. This regional used to be based in the Carolinas and was moved a bit north to make room for a Reg in Atlanta, GA. Not too many places between Carolina and this area nearly to DC. I think Jeff has done well so far. You have to admit that there were problems with the Hotel too. The AC was horrific. No control of that and I recall many many MAs shivering to death under vents.

Keith

EDIT: You say you could give Jeff 10 locations that are better than the Dogwood Room. Why didnt you send that info to him last yr?? Are they the same cost?? More/less?? All factors have to be looked at. Similar to the Nats location threads. Most ppl wanted it CLOSE TO THEM. Big shock there. This is NOT close to Jeff's home. Yet, he makes the commitment to make a darn fine tourney each year. You say no one can "win" by going at your post. I beg to differ. People can post IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS w/o ripping the host.

 

[ShadowCard]

People can post IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS w/o ripping the host.

You mean like vanderbilt_grad did before he was told "Sounds like you need to go to Atlanta this year..."?

@R_A: When you are chosen to run a Reg, you can pick the location :wink:

This says it all. If the staff agrees with this, it shows that they are not interested in fixing any problems. They only want to justify themselves. I'd give a suggestion, but I'll wait until the staff expresses a desire for it since constructive (and less than constructive) attempts to provide suggestions have been attacked.

I still maintain the opinion that I told Jeff last year, that the Dogwood Room was a very nice place for the event. In my opinion, it's hard to get a nicer venue. However, I find it hard to believe that the majority of the staff from last year's event speaking in this thread is surprised by the complaints about the hallway, vendor placement, and crowd control.

 

[Lawman]

@SC: Tim, I never told V_G to go to Atlanta. I appreciated Todd's input. I dont pick the venue. Yes, I have been staff for many years for Jeff at many events. If a venue is bad, I will tell him privately afterwards. I wont filet him on the public forum.

The Dogwood Room was a big improvement over the hotel conference room the yr before. I'd say everyone would agree with that. Did everyone need to congregate in the hallway between rds? No, but many CHOOSE to. There were other places to go.

It is hard to find places that pleases EVERYONE. The budget is not unlimited. I'm sure Jeff will implement some of the ideas posted here to make things better this year and in the future. Constructive feedback is what is needed, not a stab in the back. R_A was on staff last year and came right out and attacked Jeff in the public forum. Could he have sent a PM? He said he spoke to Jeff @ Nats. Good. That was 1 person out of 200 or so there. Where were all the other comments back then??

Just sayin'

Keith

PS Staff or not, I would say these things. In fact, this year, my work schedule may keep me from Reg's.

 

[Rogue Archetype]

@R_A: When you are chosen to run a Reg, you can pick the location :wink:

Really? Did you just say that?

That's like going to a resturant, getting served the WORST plate of food ever, and having the chef come to your table and say "when you have run a successful resturant, then you decide what's good on the menu."

Let's get back to brass tacks shall we?

1. I run large non-pokemon events all year long my friend; it's part of my job.
Logistics is a concept that is not lost on me.

-- fail on discrediting the witness --


2. I approach Jeff respectfully. I emailed him after the hotel regs and talked to him rather than blasted him ( when everyone else was blasting him). Me and that guy get along fine.
If you reread my post, you'll see that I have a big problem with the VENUE and not with Jeff himself. I have no problem with Jeff, I just don't agree with a decision he's made.

-- fail on leading the audience to a false conclusion. --

Really though, I thought you were better than this Mr Washington. Dogging out one of the hardest working PTOs in America over the selection of a GOOD venue. Is it perfect? No. HTF perfect locales at a decent rate in late April. Weddings are mighty popular around then.

JRs in the corner?? The room is rectangular. Parents not being able to see the kids? Come on man.

Actually, I thought YOU were better than that Keith. You're using the good ol' lawyer tactics to shift attention away from the CONTENT of my post.

3. Isn't it counterproductive to shift attention AWAY from the actual complaints I had and just turn this into VA vs. NC ???

MY POINTS WERE:

1. The Juniors and New Parents aren't receiving enough consideration.
2. I'm not seeing any evidence of collaboration because the regionals events are SO uncharacteristic with anything that we would have at a VA event.
​

How is either one of these points NOT fit for an open thread discussion?
There's no personal attack on anyone, there's no thread topic diversion, there's no trolling. I'm just trying to put an opinion that MANY OTHER PEOPLE are afraid to put out there.

When I'm in charge of events, I benefit from people being straight-up about things. I can troubleshoot issues if I know they exist.

2. LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT.

• Nobody got stabbed in the back.
• Nobody got personally ripped.

Somebody was given an opinion about A CHOICE OF VENUE. That is all. Show me one place where I attacked Jeff personally and had no intent of discussing the concept of venue.

I'm passionate about taking my 40+ juniors to an event where I feel they may be in an environment that may not be appropriate for them.

My concern is for them. Which I've stated from the onset.

Turning this into RA hates Jeff is just just rediculous and it doesn't achieve ANYTHING in the way of progress.