Speaking as an IETF participator, it is good for IETF diversity. Many people
will also enjoy to visit a new places with curious. Actually, Buenos Aires
disappointed me when I found it was so similar to European cities.
Speaking as an Asian, last time I flight to Buenos Aires took me more than 30
hours door-to-door. Also, longer flight time means more expensive air tickets.
As result, we may experience a meeting with much less Asian participators. I am
not sure the increase of participators from other continents can meet the gap.
Best regards,
Sheng
-----Original Message-----
From: ietf-bounces(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
[mailto:ietf-bounces(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org] On Behalf Of The
IAOC
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:54 PM
To: IETF Announcement List
Cc: ietf(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
Subject: IETF Meeting in South America
As you may know the IAOC has been investigating the feasibility of having an
IETF
meeting in South America. There was a site visit to South America last
February.
We have found two venues that we believe will support a successful IETF
meeting
and we would like to get feedback from the community.
The venues are in Buenos Aires. They meet our requirements for the
meeting
space, networking, nearby restaurants and bars, hotel room rates in the mid
$200
dollar range, nearby alternate hotels at a broad range of prices, nice area in
the
city, safe, direct international flights, and accessible visas. The IAOC
thinks
we
could have a successful IETF meeting in Buenos Aires and that attendees
would
like the venues.
There has been a consistent level of IETF participation from South and Central
America, and it has been growing since IETF82. The data on this is posted at
http://iaoc.ietf.org/documents/IETF-Regional-Attendance-00.pdf.
The current meeting regional rotation (announced at IETF79) allows for an
occasional IETF meeting outside of our main regions (Europe, North America,
Asia/Pacific).
IETF standards are made more valuable the more relevant they are and the
more
uptake they get. IETF standards are also made more robust when all
perspectives
are represented during their development. Encouraging growing
participation
will help strengthen the Internet, further encourage participation from those
areas
that will see the most growth in the coming years, and will help advance the
IETF
in political and international circles which is becoming more of an imperative.
We have asked the IESG for their feedback and they are supportive of a
meeting in
South America if there is community support and active participants attend.
Things to consider are that it will be a long trip for the majority of IETFers
and
the
air fares are more expensive (about 10% to 20% higher than average), though
restaurants are less expensive. This would be a case where most IETFers
would
bear more travel pain and expense.
The IAOC would like to understand if the IETF community thinks that the IETF
should have a meeting in the next few years in Buenos Aires. The IAOC
would
also like to get feedback on how we can ensure the meeting is as successful
as
possible and on ways to grow participation in the region.
We have set up a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NWYLQCD
where
you can indicate your likelihood of attending, and we encourage you to send
your
general feedback to the IETF list <ietf(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org>.
Thanks,
Bob Hinden
IAOC Chair