Re: [91attendees] IETF Fee increase alternatives

[Bob Hinden <[e-mail]>]

Tom,

On Nov 13, 2014, at 6:00 PM, Tom Pusateri <[e-mail]> wrote:

> I know the organizers are trying to do the best they can and they have a lot of demands from us on them for features and great hotel venues but I just noticed the fee increase from $650 to $700 for the next IETF meeting.
> 
> This may not seem like much difference to most corporate attendees but it's already a burden for small companies and self employed.
> 
> There are some of us that would rather do with less services than pay more.
> 
> As far as I'm concerned, you can cut things down to the bare minimum. I can get my own snacks, drinks, breakfast. We can minimize the extra meeting rooms, etc.
> 
> I would rather have a greater diversity of companies, individuals, and students than price these people out of the event.
> 
> I'm not criticizing the current decisions but just suggesting a different path as an option.
> 

Thanks for asking this way.  I think we should consider if we are willing to compromise some of what we like to save some money.  For example, we like to have a "single roof" venue where the meeting and hotel rooms are in the same venue.  We might be able to save money by having the meeting in a convention center and have the hotels be some distance away.  It would require folks to walk, taxi, bus, subway, etc. to get there and the choices for lunches would not be as good.  This might lower the IETFs cost for meeting space and the attendee cost for the hotel rooms.  The IAOC does not currently look at these types of venues based on community feedback.

It would be good to hear from folks if they would like the IAOC to consider other types of venues if it results in lower costs for the IETF and attendees.

Bob (speaking for myself)