What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Connie, Your questions "list" requires quite a bit of information. No one wants to have you beg, but if you go through the previous threads regarding similar subject matter, we think you'll find most of the answers you're looking for. Then you can "shorten" the list a little, perhaps, maybe.:)

Okay, 90 views, and no posts? I just know it, you guys are wanting to see me beg, aren't you? ;) Seriously, doesn't anyone have comments?

Yep, Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, LC Nats - '02.

Connie, I'll agree with Jim that your list of questions is a bit daunting! Maybe you should just try asking one question at a time ... I've been to quite a few nationals in the last decade. Most recent was Tempe last spring. The thing I liked the most about it was the check-in system they used, which allowed heat sheets to be available for each day's events. In fact, "like" is not enough praise. I LOVED it. I hope I never have to go to another nationals where check-in closes a few hours before the event, and then you have to stand around waiting for the heat sheets to be posted, craning your neck around the hundreds of other swimmers who also want to see the heat sheets. And then you forget your heat-lane assignment before you've gotten back to your seat and have to start the whole procedure over again! Please keep Arizona's check-in system! Meg

I was at Rutgers most recently. (Was is it comfortable, accessible, convenient, friendly, did they matter, a lot, a little...?) Surrounding areas to the facility? construction was a problem Transportation? not reliable Accommodation? great, just too far from the pool- my own fault Hospitality? great Facility Amenities? great Pools? great Event information? great Social events? didn't sound too exciting so I didn't go Check-in? great, as long as we could check in via internet during our travel day there

Hi All :) Thanks for the responses. :) I'm sorry about the laundry list of questions... I'm not sure what to ask and whom. You're very welcome to just answer one or two, or give me a higlight of what you liked and didn't like :D I'll try to ask some more pointed questions, jsut as soon as I formulate a few. Well, here's one: Since you guys mentioned check-ins, and heat sheets. I'm just throwing this idea out without having thought about the logistics of it a whole lot, so please forgive me if it ends up being half -baked. Take it as food for thought. What if the meet signup was available on-line, payable via creditcard or pay-pal?, along with the the check-in for certain (all? I'm not sure how and of that would work) events available on-line. I know this is probably very expensive to set up, but maybe have touch screen or two available at the venue, so you can check in... I'm thinking, kind of the way the bridal registry's work? I noticed that out local cable TV company had set-up a 'free internet' booth with a touch screen at couple of local carwashes so people can cruise internet while waiting for their car... I'm thinking, maybe their cables, I mean arms, could be twisted into a sponsorship. Or set up a wireless hub/router, so people who brought their own laptop can link in and check in, see the heat sheets etc... Hey, they do it with wireless internet cafe's all the time! How important are social events to you? Our team likes to put on social events before and after the meet, to give people a chance to socialize a bit, get to know each others, have a beer together, when tere's not an immediate pressure of, what heat am I in, and when is it.... Was there a social event that you really liked?

Originally posted by matysekj Connie, USMS supplies the on line entry system and on line event check-in for all nationals hosts. .... Thank You Jim for the good info. I'm not sure what to say other than I'll pass it on to the people who are more involved at that end (like my coach...). I'm sure they will be much more familiar with the details. There are some very good logistics considerations that you brought up. I'm just a tiny little wheel in the whole thing (although, a squeaky one at the moment). Just a reminder... Don't take anything I say here as a done deal, it's just a brainstoming set of posts.

ditto to Jim Clemmons comment about the Rock Hall Social. Best I've ever been to at any Nationals

Originally posted by swim53 ditto to Jim Clemmons comment about the Rock Hall Social. Best I've ever been to at any Nationals Uh oh...!:eek: I feel like I need to resurrect Elvis to top that one! And NO, tere will NOT be Elvis impersonators at out social... NOT! Over my dead body NOT! I'm thinking, close to the pool there is a Lake, Lake Mission Viejo. I saw somewhere that in the summer they have a whole concert at the lake series, and they had some big names play there... I noticed Pat benatar did a show there as a part of the California summer concert series. I dunno, that is a part of a private community as far as I know, might be a tough and expenisve venue to get.. We'll come up with something fun, I'm sure. There's a lot of neat places around here.

Yes, the Hall of Fame party was fabulous. It was like a religious experience for me, especially the John Lennon exhibit. And it was worth the price of admission to see Randy Nutt's reaction to some of Jimmy Page's clothing being on display! (And who would have thought that Jim Morrison lettered in swimming in high school?!) Obviously, every Nationals is not going to have an attraction like the Hall of Fame nearby. Otherwise, I would say what is most important to me is that the cost be reasonable, the food and drink plentiful, and the location nearby. Meg