EPTWisconsin:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=161450
Saskatchewan:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=124304
Alaska:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=199857
Central Ohio
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=153581
Ottawa: this one is a little better organized, with OP actually updating his thread:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=145109
What do these threads have in common? They don't lead to meetups! They don't contribute to the community! Inmost cases, the original poster doesn't follow up, doesn't update the original post, and no one takes initiative to meet. All that happens in these threads is people saying "Yea, let's meet! Let's do this! Awesome! Let me know if anything happens"....
2 months later, NOTHING HAPPENS! ...as if the thread wasn't created in the first place.
This Chicago thread (http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=161205 ) was notorious for disorganization - everyone asking everyone to organize a meet-up, but no one took any initiative. Months of going back and forth.
A major issue with these threads: contact info:
I never understood why people think the Battle.net ID & char code are reliable contact ways. If you're not online on SC2/battle.net, you can't be contacted!!
I did find one successful, organized thread; people actually met/had tournaments, good job guys!
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=168119
But if you're like me, with dozens of friends in my battle.net friends list, I don't know who is from my area only by looking at their nickname in my SC2 list. Trust me, the Battle.net ID & char code is not a reliable contact method.
The best way to contact people is by email. A LOT of people don't have Facebook (You'd be surprised!)
My suggestion is (not only to the TL admins, but to the every day TL users, long time or new, lurkers or avid posters): Let's get organized! If your region is not organized in a thread, post a thread of your own, but keep it organized.
Problem: You don't know what to write in your thread.
Solution: Use my Chicago thread for reference (as an example). I'm not saying that is the best way to do it but I had success with it. It's better than disorganized threads all over the place.
Remember this? http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=161205
Introducing my organized Chicago thread: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=178194
Much better! I have a map of user locations, sc2ranks, facebook group, and RELIABLE CONTACT INFO! Last weekend I organized the first tournament with prizes in Chicagoland! It was a blast! The LAN center is interested in organizing more, and they will bring sponsors too! That would have never happened in the old thread. There was no reliable way to get back to the people interested in tournaments, because TL PMs don't notify you when you received a message, and few people just check the thread from now and then.
Problem: Some people don't want to meet unless there is a 1v1 tournament.
Solution: 2 separate mailing lists.
Initially, I wanted my thread to be focused mostly on 3v3 and 4v4 (noobie LAN parties, lots of fun)
personal opinion:
+ Show Spoiler +
(REALLY, what's the point of meeting with others if you're not playing 3v3, 4v4? I can play 1v1 from my house!),
MANY wanted a tournament with prizes. So I compromised: I now maintain 2 separate mailing lists, one for 1v1 tournaments, and one for team games.
RESULTS: We've had BOTH types of events - we met at different locations, NOT JUST LAN CENTERS. We met at someone's house 4 times. It was great. We played lots of 3v3s. We had a GSL finals viewing. I met so many people, and we are in talks with our 2 Chicago Lan Centers (that I know of, so far) to organize a HUGE tournament, with prizes. One of the LAN centers FOUND ME through my facebook group, I didn't even know about them!!! I'm not boasting, I'm telling you what worked for me, so that you have a model that can work for your region.
Seriously, look at all the "I DON'T HAVE ANY SC2 FRIENDS" posts:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=201816
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=203545
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=202502
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=202245
You may not like my idea. If not, please discuss: What is the best way to have an organized, specialized thread creation standard where people can be contacted back (email is the best IMO). As a result, we would have more LANs, tournaments, GSL/MLG viewings, etc. => more fun for everyone & growth of esports in the end.
PS: I asked the mods to rename my thead twice. They are very helpful (Thanks, Ghostclaw!)
