Nationals is not about participation
There is a segment of the Scrabble community that is price sensitive, especially in this rough economy... "a special room rate of US$129.00 per night at the event hotel" is too much for more than few players to budget with that many nights and a plane ticket, plus the expense of eating out etc. If I was price senstive, I would hesitant to point out that out on CGP, as other posters with money would say "stop your complaining, you cheapo!"
So, it lends me to believe that Nationals is about trying to showcase Scrabble with a snazzy ballroom, if that succeeds and public attention is caught, then the smaller participation doesn't seem so bad.
A nationals held in an area dense with Scrabble players, like North of NYC, which gives budget alternatives, I think could double this years participation in the future, if participation was the goal.
So, it lends me to believe that Nationals is about trying to showcase Scrabble with a snazzy ballroom, if that succeeds and public attention is caught, then the smaller participation doesn't seem so bad.
A nationals held in an area dense with Scrabble players, like North of NYC, which gives budget alternatives, I think could double this years participation in the future, if participation was the goal.