I have opened the idea of me (and maybe my sons) of attending one of the national NAR events this year with some success. Now as I consider my options (having never been to ANY of these), and taking for granted that, at best, I could afford to go to ONE of these events, what are the pros and cons of attending each?
Bearing weight on my decision is
1) Cost. This includes cost of travel as well as hotels, registration, launch fees, etc. Obviously a three day event has a lower hotel cost than a seven day event but then hotels are necessary in New England in winter and we can camp out in Pittsburgh in the summer.
2) What happens there? NARCON has talks, which would be good, but chances are my two ten year olds would be far less interested than me. Also NARCON is not having a sport launch and perhaps part of the fun is seeing what everybody else is building and flying. NARAM is closer to Ohio and happens in warmer weather but is the focus primarily on contest flying? Will we have fun if we don't care to even try to compete on a national level (I have and will fly competitions for fun locally and regionally)? I'm not familiar with NSL much at all, what happens there?
3) Loot. Let's face it, everyone talks about the great stuff they got at registration and the awesome sales that the vendors put on. Is one national event different/better/worse in this regard than the others?
4) Other. What other criteria should I be considering?
Obviously at this point since NARAM is the closest to me and in good camping weather I am already leaning this way but I want to a) have fun, b) make sure my kids have fun, and c) NOT break the bank. We have a VERY limited budget.
I would appreciate any input you all might have.
Thanks.
Bearing weight on my decision is
1) Cost. This includes cost of travel as well as hotels, registration, launch fees, etc. Obviously a three day event has a lower hotel cost than a seven day event but then hotels are necessary in New England in winter and we can camp out in Pittsburgh in the summer.
2) What happens there? NARCON has talks, which would be good, but chances are my two ten year olds would be far less interested than me. Also NARCON is not having a sport launch and perhaps part of the fun is seeing what everybody else is building and flying. NARAM is closer to Ohio and happens in warmer weather but is the focus primarily on contest flying? Will we have fun if we don't care to even try to compete on a national level (I have and will fly competitions for fun locally and regionally)? I'm not familiar with NSL much at all, what happens there?
3) Loot. Let's face it, everyone talks about the great stuff they got at registration and the awesome sales that the vendors put on. Is one national event different/better/worse in this regard than the others?
4) Other. What other criteria should I be considering?
Obviously at this point since NARAM is the closest to me and in good camping weather I am already leaning this way but I want to a) have fun, b) make sure my kids have fun, and c) NOT break the bank. We have a VERY limited budget.
I would appreciate any input you all might have.
Thanks.