Re: [91attendees] IETF Fee increase alternatives

[Daniel Jewell <[e-mail]>]

Bob/Tom,



>
> 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 suppose it's important to consider convenience here (as well as cost of
the alternatives)... Suppose that we didn't have our snacks, drinks, and
continental breakfast at the current meeting - You'd be relegated to
either the restaurants/cafes here at the property or you'd have to walk (a
pretty long way) to go get breakfast/snacks/drinks... Would be very
difficult if ~1000 people all tried to storm Starbucks for coffee and
croissants all at once on break.

> >
> > 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.

But also consider additional transportation costs - public transportation
is usually relatively inexpensive, but taking a taxi to the venue every
day.... phew. Having everything under one roof is really convenient -
having a 5-10 minute walk isn't bad, but having to commute 20-30-40+
minutes between the hotel and the venue every day would get old by the end
of the week.

I don't know much about conference/meeting scheduling at hotels ... but
I'm guessing that the discounted room rates go hand-in-hand with paying
for the meeting space... Scheduling the meeting at a different venue
(perhaps one without a hotel) might result in a higher room rate? Negating
any savings overall?

>
> 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)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Daniel