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Re: Update on feedback on US-based meetings, and IETF 102

2017-04-12 21:28:56
Hi Leslie,

Unfortunately I did not know about this questionair, so if I can make a 
suggestion regarding the next IETF meetings' location, I would suggest Cairo, 
Egypt as one of the locations to be considered for an IETF meeting, positive 
IETF participants will be welcomed here and will enjoy the sunny weather all 
the year.

For me it was difficult to attend the meeting held in U.S. in person and it was 
also difficult to attend remotely, so if Egypt will be considered for a 
meeting, i'm sure participants will enjoy time here during the meeting.

Best Regards,


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Fwd: Update on feedback on US-based meetings, and IETF 102
From: Leslie Daigle
To: "Ietf@Ietf. Org"
CC: IAOC(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org



FYI — this is the information as we have it.

Leslie.

--

________________________________

Leslie Daigle
Principal, ThinkingCat Enterprises LLC

ldaigle(_at_)thinkingcat(_dot_)com<mailto:ldaigle(_at_)thinkingcat(_dot_)com>

Forwarded message:

From: IAOC Chair 
iaoc-chair(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org<mailto:iaoc-chair(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org>
To: IETF Announcement List 
ietf-announce(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org<mailto:ietf-announce(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org>
Subject: Update on feedback on US-based meetings, and IETF 102
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2017 16:39:18 -0700

On March 31, 2017, we put out a request for input on experiences with travel to 
the recent IETF meeting in the US, and solicited information pertinent to plans 
to attend IETF meetings within or outside the US in the coming years. We have 
had over 350 responses to the questionnaire, and we appreciate each and every 
one of them! We did not gather the data in such a way for it to reflect a 
representative sample of the IETF community, or of potential meeting attendees. 
But we did gain insights from those who responded that we did not have before.

Over 40% of the respondents said they had attended 20 or more IETF meetings, 
and over 50% of them said they were authors of active working group documents. 
Slightly more than 40% stated US residency, and just less than 60% said they 
were not US-resident.

There was a noted impact of the recent changes to US travel policies and 
procedures. Of the respondents living outside of the US who did NOT attend the 
IETF meeting in Chicago, a few were denied visas or entry into the US, and more 
than 30 said they did not come because of concerns about US travel 
restrictions. On the other hand 45 people said they were not troubled by the US 
situation (and presumably chose not to come for other reasons).

For those who did travel to IETF 98 in Chicago, the written comments were 
illuminating: most people had no issues (for some, even a smoother border 
crossing than usual); some people experienced the expected flutter over visa 
approvals as things were in flux as the US Executive Order and court stays 
played out, but were eventually able to come.

The general comments on meeting in the US played along the same lines as has 
been shared on the IETF discussion list: people are variously for moving all 
meetings out of the US, or adamantly against, or somewhere in between, each 
position supported by good reasons.

The IAOC is continuing to gather data on travel to the US, concerns about 
traveling outside of it, and what alternatives are possible for IETF 102. Our 
focus is currently on whether holding IETF 102 in San Francisco is the best 
option to meet the needs of IETF work, recognizing that we cannot predict the 
future. While it may take several weeks to allow for review and negotiation of 
any alternatives (if applicable), we are moving as quickly as possible because 
we realize that people will need time to plan their travel.

Leslie, for the IAOC.