United States 2008 Championships

[Ravi]

That's the 2007 US Open, not 2008 nationals.

Actually, Chicago would be a great place for me. I would have come to the US Open last month, but I was at camp at the time. Does anyone who attended the US Open have an opinion on the quality of the venue?

Also, I'd like to start some discussion on when the competition should be held. Any weekend from July 4-6 until August 15-17 should work for me. At any other time, I probably can't come due to school and/or miscellaneous vacations.

Happy cubing!

[pjk]

Chicago was nice, the hotel was expensive and not too great, but it was nice. Idaho would be neat... I can try setting something up in Denver if you guys want. There are tons of venues in Denver that we could probably get into.

I don't think we should do the '08 Nationals in Chicago, since we just had the '07 Open there. What about San Antonio, TX, or Minneapolis, MN? Anywhere is fine by me, but those both seem like great places.

Also, what is the time we are thinking about doing this? Will it be early/late summer, or what? Thanks

[BryanLogan]

I'm guessing Minneapolis probably won't be in the running for Nationals '08, since this year was in the Midwest. I'm also trying to get a Minnesota tournament up and running, so that should handle that area. I've contacted a few venues and am waiting to hear back from them.

But people need to realize that there are no qualifying tournaments. Nationals are just the name for a tournament that moves around. If you want a tournament in your hometown, then do something to make that happen.

[Ravi]

Also, I'd like to start some discussion on when the competition should be held.

That's assuming that it hasn't already been decided. Does anyone know about the date?

Thanks!
-Ravi

[philkt]

I think Minneapolis and Chicago are definitely the best choices, since they're more or less in the middle of the US, and for those who won't be able to fly (like yours truly), it will minimize the drive.

[Jilvin]

I think the Mall of America in Bloomington is the best place to do it.


- Lots of attraction
- Unbelievably large
- Food EVERYWHERE
- Open for a looooong time
- Middle of US
- Easy to reserve space for an event.

[brad711]

I vote for Boise. It's close to Utah.

[siraj a.]

I would like to nominate Washington, DC as a possible area to consider. David Barr and I both live in the area and have discussed the possiblity of holding a competition. Here are a couple of points I wanted to make:

-Having the US Championship held in the nation's capital would be appropriate for a nationwide tournament.

-Maryland is more or less in the center of the east coast, making travel for cubers in the eastern half of the country more viable.

-This would be an opportunity for cubers from around the country to visit the nation's capital. I would be happy to help guide some tours around the various parts of DC, including the Smithsonian museums and various memorials. There would also be the option of seeing Baltimore (only 45 minutes away). I believe that sightseeing in DC is worth doing at least once in your life.

-I know of at least a dozen people who would help run, judge, and scramble at the event. I also have quite a few people who would be willing to have cubers stay at their places and assist with travel needs to make the trip cheaper for long distance cubers.

-As far as the specific venue goes, some possibilities include the Smithsonian museums, the Maryland Science Center, the University of Maryland, or even one of the outdoor ampitheaters near the various memorials. Other possibilities are hotel ballrooms, churches (I have been to multiple that would host in their theater/gathering rooms), or schools in the area.

-The area is very easy to travel if you are in proximity to the metro lines. Bus lines extend out beyond the DC borders, and as said before, I know of many people who can help with travel arrangements. Reagan National Airport has a metro stop inside the airport, and BWI is about halfway between Baltimore and Washington.

If you all have any questions about the area, let David Barr or myself know.

-Chris Parlette

I second this. I would strongly LOVE a US Nationals held in D.C. All of Chris's points are excellent. Plus it is only a 2 hour drive from my house! But please Ron, make sure it is NOT in April, June 14-July 16, and in December, because I will be on vacation during those time periods!

[Taylor]

I think it should take place in Boise, Idaho as well. It's a great city and has great potentional for a tournament. Cubers from California and the West Coast could come easily and it's close to where I live so I could come as well.

[siraj a.]

I want it more for D.C., the Mall of America is good too. But has anyone considered Kansas City, Missouri? It has a population of over 400,000, and another +100,000 on the Kansas City, Kansas side. It is my home town, But:

It is the CENTER of United States! That is somewhere to put the U.S. Nationals - In the direct middle of the United States.

[BryanLogan]

Kansas City seems to be a much better option than Boise. For one, check out the arrival and departures are the airport. For Boise, there were single flights to major hubs, and not that many hubs. That means people would have to spend two extra days (and hotel nights) (one before, one after) for a competition. When you have something that's a major hub, people can arrive in the morning and be able to leave on a redeye. Also, this means that people won't have to make a bunch of connecting flights.

[Ravi]

I like this Kansas City idea. Any specific suggestions for the venue?