Where I'm coming from - I live on the East Coast and didn't qualify for ANs until the summer after it was held in Lake Placid in 2008. I attended and had a blast. I've looked forward to competing at ANs for the last four years. I thought it would be in LP again next year, as the pattern has been every four years, but that was not to be.
Since then, ANs has been in Salt Lake City, and now with the Chicago area being named as the site for 2012, ANs will be held in the northern midwest for 3 years in a row. I met someone this week who told me there are more adult skaters in the northern midwest than anywhere else in the country. Many of these skaters don't want to attend ANs unless they can drive, so that' s why the 3 year northern midwest dominance. Could that be true? If not, why then is ANs not held in other parts of the country? I understand that not all rinks in all areas of the country can bid. But 3 years is a bit more than a coincidence, I'm thinking. Which of course can be dangerous. ; )