[Squaredancing] Discussion on the National in Charlotte

[Ken Robinson]

Since this list has been very quiet lately, maybe we can get a  
discussion going about the recent NSDC in Charlotte, NC.

There has been a lively discussion in the SD-Callers list about the  
"Dress Code violation incident" in the C1 hall.

Overall, I thought it was a pretty good convention from a dancers  
point of view.

On the positive side:

The convention center is small, so the convention filled it nicely.  
The food was good and reasonably priced. There was an $8 buffet for  
breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I never saw the food run out completely.

The sound was good with little bleeding between halls.

The education area was easy to get to and well signed.

The attendance was up about 10% over last year. Total: 8021. (I have a  
web site that shows the attendance over the years  
<http://www.rbnsn.com/nsdc/>

Now some negatives:

The rubberized plastic floor that was put over the carpet was hard to  
dance on at first and it rippled in spots. I heard that some round  
dancers tripped on the ripples.

I heard that the transportation provided was pretty bad I didn't use  
it, so I can't comment on it. I walked the few blocks to/from my hotel.

The convention organizers really should speak with the restaurants and  
fast food places near the convention to make sure they can stay open  
in the evening. There was a small shopping mall not far from the  
convention center and almost all the fast food places were closed by 5  
PM.

The hall used for the exhibitions and ceremonies did not have bleacher  
seating set up. This made it very difficult to really see the  
exhibitions and the Parade of States.

The signs for some of the halls, especially those which were created  
by dividing big halls, was very poor and it was hard to figure out  
which hall was which.

Does anyone else have anything to contribute??

Ken Robinson
Hillsborough, NJ / Baltimore, MD