I have to say I’m concerned about the trend here; it’s already hard for people
who are not “standards professionals” to go to an IETF meeting.
I want developers and implementers to come to my meetings, not (just) people
who are the “regulars.” Given the short time blocks available in an IETF
meeting, as well as uncertainly around scheduling until just before the meeting
(travel scheduling-wise), it seems like we’re creating ever-more-steep barriers
to having them come to meetings.
I understand that the IETF has to stay "financial". However, I’d ask that we
consider a number of measures to help address this situation:
* Finalising the agenda (far) before it currently is, so that people can make
firm (and economic) travel plans without blocking out an entire week
* Freezing the day pass fee (and raising the “full week” fee proportionately)
* Allowing WGs to hold interim meetings without being required to meet at the
adjacent IETF meetings
To anticipate the objections this will raise — yes, I understand that things
are structured to encourage cross-particiption and information sharing between
groups. However, I believe that in doing so, all we’re really doing is
discouraging participation by people who don’t have the time or interest in
focusing their careers on standards full-time.
Cheers,
P.S. I’m not subscribed to IETF@, so please CC: me on replies, *unless* they’re
vitriol-filled or off-topic.
On 2 Oct 2014, at 3:43 am, IETF Chair <chair(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org> wrote:
In preparing the final budget for 2015 and drafts for 2016 and beyond,
we face continuing rising meeting and other costs and no corresponding
increase in meeting registration fees. In fact, the meeting
registration fee has not changed in 4 years.
Therefore, the IAOC is proposing to raise the meeting registration fee
by $50 per meeting starting with the March meeting in Dallas as
follows:
Early Bird Fee $650 to $700, or 8%
Late Fee $800 to $850
Day Passes $350 to $400
Full time Students $150 - $175
More details below, but we seek community feedback before doing this.
The cause for the increase is a trend in rising costs. IETF costs relate to
the
meetings, support services (secretariat, IT), RFC Editor, and various other
items such as tool development. IETF is funded through the meeting fees, as
well as significant contributions through sponsors and ISOC.
For the last 4 years, 2011 - 2014, the Registration Fee has been unchanged
at $650, and for the period 2008 through 2010 the Registration Fee was $635.
Over the period 2007 through 2014 the Registration Fee increased from $600
to $650, 8.3% over the eight years. During that time Expenses, including
meetings, RFC Editor, Secretariat, IASA, and others, increased 32%. In 2015
Expenses will increase 6% over the 2014 forecast.
As a percentage contribution to the budget, registration revenue has declined
from 51% in 2007 to 41% in 2014. Without a registration fee increase in
2015, that would drop to 36% of the budget. Even with the fee increase of
$50 in 2015, it becomes 39%.
Since the implementation of IASA in 2005, the IAOC has sought to provide
support services of high quality and value through a “regularization” of
contractual relationship with our vendors in all the above categories. As
you
know, we submit statements of work to the community for review and do
competitive Requests for Proposals. Our services continue to change, and in
some cases expand, such as increasing the number of editors to handle the
roughly 340 RFCs per year, outsourcing the NOC, and remote participation
services.
The suggested registration fee increase is sufficient to re-balance the
budget
for 2015. Unfortunately, the cost of hotel facilities and other services
continues
to grow slowly. Without further actions, additional increases may be
necessary,
and we project a $20 increase for 2016. The IAOC has taken on a task to
determine whether we can reduce and/or prioritize our costs so that the trend
can be minimized. No decisions have been taken about meeting fees beyond
2015, and they will depend on the success of the IAOC in its task.
The draft budget, registration fee history, expense history and major expense
trends can be found here: <https://iaoc.ietf.org/2015-budget.html>.
Thanks for your consideration of this and your feedback. The next IAOC
meeting
is October 9th, and if possible, we would prefer to receive feedback by then
Jari Arkko, IETF Chair
Chris Griffiths, IAOC Chair
--
Mark Nottingham http://www.mnot.net/