Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Discussion of VA Regionals Location

I've known (and liked, which goes without saying but I'll say it anyway) Jeff for a long time and follow his threads.

Regardless of the legalistic jousting going on, it looks like there are a lot of valid points being made.

And these should NOT be dismissed as some people are attempting to do.

But Jeff made a statement early on that really needs to be repeated...

"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???"

Jeff doesn't know everything that is going on it the building. He's running a tournament! People need to go out of their way (as R_A apparently did) after the fact and let him know about the problems so he can do something about them before the next year.
 
Rogue Archetype said:
There isn't any collaboration going on between the VA PTO and the NC PTO.
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RA, I do take issue with this. Jeff did approach me several months ago and asked my views on the DR. I shared with him my views at that point, via email, in private, which is how I wish basically this whole thread had gone. It is not the venue that I would have chosen but this is HIS event, not mine, and I will continue to advertise this event at leagues, my state event, and our local website. Jeff and I haven't been talking as often as I would like if this were a perfect situation, but Jeff is a very busy guy and I respect that.
I went back and looked at this whole mess of a thread with an attempt at neutrality and I must say that things were quite civil until the post requesting a player attend a regionals elsewhere. This is where things went south, badly, imo.
I wish that statement had never been made; it was uncalled for.
Now that I've probably managed to upset both the Washington and the Reynolds' famlies (maybe Keith, too), I've said my peace and will comment no further. I do wish that all parties can simply pledge from this point forward to make the event a success. That is what we are all here for; let's not lose sight of that, k??
 
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totoro said:
I do take issue with this. Jeff did approach me several months ago and asked my view a player attend a regionals elsewhere.
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You've done nothing but support Jeff regardless of whatever decisions have been made. I will go up ther and edit that staement out because it gives the impression that you've said something.

What I Should Have said was "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."

Do not get the impression that anyone has "put me up to this"
I'm too opinionated to be a puppet.

And...

This is not a mess of thread; it is my effort to improve the event.

If all we're going to do is focus on what's right and ignore everything else, what's the point?

Either way, I will not say anything else about it in this thread. I'm done with it.

Keith is still one of my favorite people and I still have no problem with Jeff (or David).

Just don't EVER expect me to fear speaking ip for the best interest of my kids and their parents. They are my main concern here.
 
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If I recall correctly, David (VA PTO) is the only PTO who R_A has played+staffed under. Aside from US Nats and maybe 1 or 2 MD events, he doesn't experience anyone else's events. R_A may simply be in a "culture shock" where he has discovered not all PTOs run events the same way, giving him the impression that there was no teamwork. However, just because the RC did not resemble what he may be used to does not mean there wasn't any teamwork.

totoro said:
...I shared with him my views at that point, via email, in private, which is how I wish basically this whole thread had gone.
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In R_A's defense, he already tried the private method. His opinion was dismissed as "That was 1 person out of 200," as Lawman said. Taking the case public to see how many more from that 200 agreed could have brought better support for R_A's opinion. Can't expect Jeff to change the venue now, but that doesn't mean nothing can be done.

Lawman said:
@SC: Tim, I never told V_G to go to Atlanta.
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I never said that you did.

Lawman said:
PS Staff or not, I would say these things. In fact, this year, my work schedule may keep me from Reg's.
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It really doesn't matter who says the comments. If those who are on staff agree with those comments, there's a problem.

The Gorn said:
Jeff doesn't know everything that is going on it the building. He's running a tournament! People need to go out of their way (as R_A apparently did) after the fact and let him know about the problems so he can do something about them before the next year.
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I think the idea that we'd be back at the Dogwood Room the year after sounded unlikely, so people were not as vocal as they should have been. I'm surprised that we are going back there (however, to repeat my opinion, I thought the Dogwood Room was fine), but that's partly because I'm not used to these events being in the same place for 2 consecutive years.
But the comments were already so vocal. To dismiss them as complaints by a small minority, I could understand. To be surprised by them and/or fail to understand them, I don't get. There is definitely an impression that the staff is surprised by them.
 
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ShadowCard said:
If I recall correctly, David (VA PTO) is the only PTO who R_A has played+staffed under. Aside from US Nats and maybe 1 or 2 MD events, he doesn't experience anyone else's events. R_A may simply be in a "culture shock" where he has discovered not all PTOs run events the same way, giving him the impression that there was no teamwork. However, just because the RC did not resemble what he may be used to does not mean there wasn't any teamwork.
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Whoa. You don't know me well enough to speak for me like that.

Our family went to EVERY SINGLE EVENT in VA AND MD for 3 years straight before slacking off (which was just LAST year!). We've played under 4 PTOs my friend :wink: That's BRs, CCs, States (you even played me at the MD state events.. lol), and REGS... and Nats every year. David used to say "those guys travel EVERYWHERE!" when referring to our family. I've been to alot more events than you know.

Just because you weren't there doesn't mean we weren't. Please don't diminish me like that.
This is the third thread you've made that comment. It's not correct. Please stop saying that.

Nevertheless, that's not even relevant to any point I've made above.

There's no culture shock about taking care of your kids and trying to make sure your kid's parents are comfortable with organized play events.

Once again, this is not a RA vs. Jeff thing. Please read more-better. :thumb:

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.

Now, I've gotta refrain from even reading this thread. Because people are just going to label me a flamer at this point.... which is sad because I'm really trying to improve this event for MY league kids and parents; after all, it's our ONLY Regionals.
 
@RA: Please dont stop posting here. I consider your imput valuable. I may not always agree with all your points, but please dont go away. That was not my intent at all! You are a friend and I look forward to seeing you and the family at big events.

@SC/Tim: I said the place was not perfect. Takes alot to find a "perfect place" that is also affordable. Am I surprised that some comments came out about the hallway? No. Having the vendor set up out there created problems bc people wanted to look/buy/trade. That caused a logjam, along with folks generally standing/sitting there.

Thx David/Totoro for chiming in. I figured you and Jeff had talked/emailed some already. You didnt tick me off at all.

Many State Championships use same locations yr after yr. Some Reg's do too. This location should not be a shock, if a PTO likes it. Shoot, PUI liked Indy enough to go back there this year for Nats!

Keith
 
I have been silent on this because I did not want to turn the original thread into a venue issues thread and really detract from the purpose of the thread…questions, suggestions, etc…

First off for all those players that feel this is a VA only event get a clue.
Last time I checked this was open to everyone!!!
We have players not only from VA but MD, NC, and TN (and we have had FL and OH too).
Sure I could find more venues north of Richmond and while that would please the VA players it would also leave out the NC players.
I could have done this in southern VA which would have been more convenient for the NC players and closer too (and more convenient for me).
But this did not make sense and it made more sense to move up to Richmond so it would be close for MD, Northern VA, and not too far for the NC players.
I know the SC players will probably go to GA because it is closer and Tymon does a great job.

For those people that want to complain about the venue…other than RA…where were you last year??? I only heard one person (RA) mention about the seating with Juniors and parents. It is a valid point but I have to look at everything…location, costs, seating, availability, etc… This will be the last year at this location. I will be looking at a larger venue that can accommodate. I also have a Junior so I understand from a parents point of view. But remember this event is for ALL age groups. The Juniors were not “shoved” into a corner…As Keith pointed out the room is rectangular. All age groups (players) had the same type of seating.

David the post was not civil once RA did his first post. VG / Todd pointed out some good points and while a good post was too late. This post would have been much better coming last year. Timing is everything and he posted right after the rant started. I am not blaming him for anything and once again he had good points. As far as communication it does go both ways. For some reason there seems to be noses really bent out of shape. Sorry if I have done something to cause this. Definitely not what I am trying to accomplish. I want this to be a fun event for all…players, staff, and parents.

I am always open for suggestions, comments, etc… This would have really helped last year and not 2 months before the event. April is wedding month and venues are very hard to find (even when checking 6 months in advance). This event has great potential to grow as long as everyone realizes it is for everyone. This is not supposed to be state versus state, person versus person, etc… I am sure I will get flamed and that is your choice. But if you are only going to post complaints without any suggestions then what do you really hope to accomplish???
 
WOW The wheels came off this Choo-Choo rather quickly.
I think if the questions that were asked in the OP had received direct answers, maybe Choo-Choo wouldn't be so broken......I digress.
I have to imagine that a new venue this late in the game probably isn't going to happen, so that being said let's get back to finding solutions to the few concerns that are actual concerns, since we were all there, we should probably be the best people at finding the solutions.

1. Hallway is definitely an issue!

Possible Solutions: Hallway monitor, no loitering in hallway.

2. Where to put people that would normally be in hallway.

Possible Solutions: Section off part of room for players finished with there matches.
Is there another rental room upstairs that could accommodate people not currently playing. (if so could Vendor pay for said room, so they could have a place to display and sell, as well as have a captive audience so to speak.)

3. If foul weather shows up what then.

4. I really didn't have to much issues with the place besides the hallway, the room was good compared to say a jam packed Glen Burnie. The space was good, but since RA raises the corner issue maybe remapping the Judges tables to that end of the room might work and a door monitor necessary.

These are just my own humble opinions feel free to bash at them as you see fit, but always remember that it's all fun and games until someone gets emotionally scarred.

PS. THANKS does go out to Jeff and everyone else who has ever organized, judged, or just plain helped at any of these events........me and my kid really do appreciate it!!!!

I'll shut-up.
 
Jeff, thank you for coming back in here and restoring a reasonable tone.

It probably should have been said back on page one: We all play for the same team. Yes, there may be disagreements. Passionate responses and sarcastic comments are not necessarily bad, but we all need to agree to remain civil. Giving in to a combative or dismissive manner is not beneficial.

Feraligatr said:
For those people that want to complain about the venue…other than RA…where were you last year???
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The people may not have expected this event to be back at the Dogwood Room, making any communication of those complaints unnecessary.
Good thing that they are coming out now. Some people bottle this stuff up and you never know the hidden complaint, giving you no chance to address it. Instead, they walk in to your event already disgruntled. It cannot be expected that you change the venue--I don't see why you should unless you really want to--but it is NOT too late to address the complaints and apply fixes.
 
ShadowCard said:
Jeff, thank you for coming back in here and restoring a reasonable tone.

It probably should have been said back on page one: We all play for the same team. Yes, there may be disagreements. Passionate responses and sarcastic comments are not necessarily bad, but we all need to agree to remain civil. Giving in to a combative or dismissive manner is not beneficial.


The people may not have expected this event to be back at the Dogwood Room, making any communication of those complaints unnecessary.
Good thing that they are coming out now. Some people bottle this stuff up and you never know the hidden complaint, giving you no chance to address it. Instead, they walk in to your event already disgruntled. It cannot be expected that you change the venue--I don't see why you should unless you really want to--but it is NOT too late to address the complaints and apply fixes.
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This was awesome.

Well done sir :smile:
 
Is this the same location from 2 years back, where it was a HORRIBLE mess, and to top it all off, it was literally in the middle of nowhere by some dumb airport?

That one event really put me off of ever going to regs in VA again. Seeing that people still are complaining about the location makes me think I probably will be going to PA again. I know there's no perfect location, but the one in PA was in a FAR better location. You could get great cheap food right across the street, there were things other than pokemon to do/see, and the hotels were nice. I don't see why an event in Richmond couldn't be just as nice if it was held in the right location.

Edit:

No disrespect to those who ran it, but the event 2 years ago really was horrible. Everything from the waiting, to the computer problems (not your fault, but what ever "genius" that decided to update Tom right before regs), to the room temperature, it was simply the worst even I've ever been to. Especially for something that's supposed to be as special and important as regs.
 
DarthPika said:
Is this the same location from 2 years back, where it was a HORRIBLE mess, and to top it all off, it was literally in the middle of nowhere by some dumb airport?

That one event really put me off of ever going to regs in VA again. Seeing that people still are complaining about the location makes me think I probably will be going to PA again. I know there's no perfect location, but the one in PA was in a FAR better location. You could get great cheap food right across the street, there were things other than pokemon to do/see, and the hotels were nice. I don't see why an event in Richmond couldn't be just as nice if it was held in the right location.

Edit:

No disrespect to those who ran it, but the event 2 years ago really was horrible. Everything from the waiting, to the computer problems (not your fault, but what ever "genius" that decided to update Tom right before regs), to the room temperature, it was simply the worst even I've ever been to. Especially for something that's supposed to be as special and important as regs.
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NOT the same location from 2 yrs ago. It is a repeat location from last yr, when you evidently went to PA.

Keith
 
That's good to see. I'm still somewhat worried that there were space issues, as I think that's somewhat unacceptable for a tourney on this scale.
 
Feraligatr said:
David the post was not civil once RA did his first post.
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Yeah. You seem to have taken this personally. That's your call.
My concerns about children and their parents should not be taken as a personal attack on you Jeff.

How many times did I say that I had no problem with Jeff and redirected the focus of the thread back to my concerns with the venue, parents, and children?

At this point, people's minds are already made up and they will be offended because they choose to be.

Just consider this:

I was like the only guy who approached the issues head-on, respectfully.

So Jeff... I think it's unfair that, rather than thinking "this guy gives respect and is passionate about doing something good for children," you give me the silent treament (ignore PMs and Emails) and label me as the bad guy. :nonono:

I came into this thread with the spirit of trying to improve the event for small children and concerned parents.

I never once took any stabs at anyone.

I'm not uncivil.

I'm just voicing concerns about the psychological effect that the event has on the children; it is, afterall, a children's event that just HAPPENS to have adults playing in it.

People. If you don't understand me, it doesn't mean that I'm wrong. It could mean you lack perspective.

Well, since I no longer appear to be welcome to the event, I needn't say anything else.
 
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@RA: It doesn't matter how many times you say "it wasn't personal. I didnt attakc Jeff", if he felt that way, he felt that way. Same with me. I posted after you did bc I "felt" like you HAD attacked Jeff AND the venue. Jeff worked HARD to find a good venue after the disaster of '09.

Its no different than in some of my cases. The cops can SAY all day long that they stopped "X" driving "erratically" (what a generic term that I hate!) when in reality, we all KNOW the reason "X" was stopped was he was "driving while hispanic" or "black man driving in a rich/nice WHITE neighborhood". Thats why I stand up for the little guy too RA. You gotta fight the good fight. As I tell younger lawyers just starting out.....it may not be what the offer is, it is how it is presented.

I hate that you feel like you aren't welcome RA. I dont think that was anyone's intent. Of course, you "feel" that way, so you are reacting the way you are. You feel me???

Keith
 
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RA i really don't understand your last post. I already pointed out that you talked to me about
the venue. The way you started this thread doomed it right from the start. Let me point out
that this is not only for the Juniors...it is for all the players...Juniors, Seniors, Masters...
Guess you missed that I have a Junior so why would I put her thru "psychological effect"???
I honestly don't know how to take this post other than an attack. I had hoped this was done
and we moved on...you had already seen this post when sc posted and you posted to his...
So why now and another post like this...
Do you feel this is a you versus anyone that does not agree with you???
Did you not already post that people are allowed to have their opinion or is that only you
that is allowed to have an opinion.
At no point have I said you are not wlecome so I really don't know where that came from...
Feel free to post whatever you want...I am done posting to this...You already have your mind made up and there is nothing else to be said.
 
We have never had a disconnect like this before so I had my wife read the thread. She agrees that my first post set the tone for a negative environment. So, it looks like I owe you and all of our readers an apology.

It was not my intention to flame or draw negative attention to the event.

Sorry.

And... Yes I remember your daughter very well. She is one of the kids that had a tough time and I consoled. She's a little cutie pie. :)
 
#6 Thank you for not posting the same point over and over! That;s a funny!


So who is ready to have a good time in VA??? This is still a game...for ALL age groups!
 
Literally 90% of the problem was the vendor being in the hallway.
That was the only problem if anything. Get them a little room as suggested, or put them downstairs, or OUTSIDE IN THE BACK OF A PICKUP if you have to. Whatever you do, DO NOT let them set up in the hallway.

That parking lot was huge and so was the field next to it... if it's nice that day, encourage people to go outside between rounds. Heck, if it's a perfect day put some tables outside to clear space. Outdoor tables have been set up at the GA marathon before, it's not so bad.
 
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