I am not sure why Miguel Iturrate and others chose New Jersey for the location of ADCC 2007 but if your going to pick a good location for the worlds most illustrious grappling event, New Jersey isn't at anyone's top of the list.
In a personal conversation with Gilberto from Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear I asked him what his opinion was and he said he told Miguel that California was the best place to have it. Gilberto also added that it wasn't ultimately his decision and he was overruled.
The MECCA for Jiu Jitsu other than Brazil is California. Why wouldnt you go back to the Pyramid in Long Beach? California provides such a large draw for people who want to attend and theres more Jiu Jitsu masters there than anywhere else in the nation.
and the kick back attitudes and lifestyle also add to it's unique positioning power to host Abu Dhabi.
In addition, if your going to have a grappling event in a country dont keep changing the location of the venue. ADCC will increase their branding power and exposure of Submission Wrestling by sticking to one area (California) and creating a memorable event from there.
In addition, what does New Jersey have to do with Submission Fighting? When you think of submission grappling do you automatically envision the dreamy landscape of Trenton New Jersey?
Choosing a Mickey Mouse venue contributes to the erosion of the advertising power ADCC wields and
leaves people who support grappling to really
question ADCC's decision making abilities.
Does anyone want to come early to enjoy the sights and sounds of New Jersey?
Last year I got to California two days early, bought some shirts at Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear went to Rey Diogo and the Gracie Academy and went to an amusement park. California has the ocean, women and Jiu Jitsu. Does it get any better than that?
What does New Jersey have? I guess New York city is close by with traffic, a lot of people and sooty smog to breathe.
ADCC needs to sell their events. They need to tell people why they chose the venue and why it will further the exposure of submission grappling.
Location, Location, Location. It works for
the success of a martial arts school and it will
also work for ADCC Submission Wrestling.
The only thing I look forwad to for ADCC 2007 is buying a Coney Island hot dog, breathing some smog and amusing myself with some skanky chick from New Jersey.
Damn, I am already depressed. Happy Grappling.