On 3/16/12 14:19 , Fred Baker wrote: > > On Mar 16, 2012, at 2:13 PM, David Meyer wrote: > >> On Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 2:03 PM, Fred Baker <fred@xxxxxxxxx> >> wrote: >>> The question I would ask is: "who are the vendors marketing to, >>> and what are they selling?" At NANOG, that's fairly clear; >>> companies like Cisco and Juniper, and resellers like Network >>> Hardware, are selling to their customers, who are often technical >>> decision makers or senior staff in companies that buy the stuff. >>> The vendors that sponsor the event go home with business cards, >>> which give them the opportunity for sales contacts after the >>> event. Those people also come to IETF, but many others at IETF >>> are from exactly those vendors, or from research and academia. >>> I'm not convinced that the lead generation exercise, which is the >>> vendor's reason for showing up and sponsoring the event, is going >>> to be as useful for them. >>> >>> Not opposed to the experiment, but not sure that we're comparing >>> apples to apples. >> >> While I agree Fred, what the beer'n'gear really provides is another >> venue for our community to socialize (just like any other social >> event). > > Of course, and socializing is a good thing. What I'm looking at is > the reason for the vendor to sponsor it. When I come to your and my > boss and say "gee, let's spend a few hundred thousand dollars in the > general direction of ISOC/IETF", I have to scramble a bit to answer a > long list of questions headed by "what's in it for me?" and "who's > budget does this come from?". I think I can say what question I would > be asked if I said "let's be a beer'n'gear sponsor". I'm not sure > that the answer I would give ranks with the one NANOG might give. I'm neither for or against it in the particular case but I have served on the nanog pc so I have been involved in organizing events like this. There are actual operators why buy actual gear and services, who attend ietf meetings. We're soemthing of a minority. that's an audience. I would expect the net needs to be throw a little wider eg around service organizations, other SDOs, and other entities that want a low pressure social environment in which to share information about their products services activities recruitment efforts etc. >> Even at the IETF social events are "sponsored" to different >> degrees. So while vendors get to display their wares, for the most >> part B'n'G provides another "hallway" where people can >> socialize/talk while having free beer and food (as well as a way >> for NANOG to generate revenue). In the NANOG case this is a >> win-win, however, for the reasons you cite it would be an >> experiment at the IETF. >> >> Dave >> >>> >>> On Mar 16, 2012, at 12:49 PM, IAOC Chair wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> The IESG and IAOC are considering an addition to the IETF >>>> meeting week, and we would like your views before we develop >>>> the idea further. >>>> >>>> At NANOG, there is a Beer and Gear reception one evening. >>>> There are exhibitor tables with product vendors (hardware and >>>> software) and service providers (registries, registrars, ISPs, >>>> ESPs, etc.) and anyone else interested in face time with NANOG >>>> participants. They show their equipment and services. There is >>>> bar in the center of the room serving beer, wine, and soft >>>> drinks. There are hors d'oeuvres scattered around the room. >>>> >>>> QUESTION: What do you think about doing a Beer and Gear style >>>> of event on an evening that does not conflict with other IETF >>>> activities? >>>> >>>> This would be an opportunity for free food and drink for >>>> attendees, for vendors and service providers to talk with IETF >>>> participants, and for additional revenue to the IETF. >>>> Obviously, attendance would be optional. >>>> >>>> Technical people are at the tables, not sales or marketing >>>> staff. Vendors know that the audience is very technical, so >>>> they send the people that can communicate with that audience. >>>> >>>> We would charge for exhibit tables, to raise additional funds >>>> for the IETF. A stronger base of opportunities for IETF >>>> sponsorship distributes our funding, making it less fragile; >>>> this could make it less likely that we would have last-minute >>>> scrambles for additional sponsors, including hosts. A >>>> successful Beer-and-Gear like event would not solve this but it >>>> would help. >>>> >>>> In the past, the IETF has avoided vendor exhibits and >>>> demonstrations. However it is clear that NANOG has found a >>>> balance that works and that NANOG participants and the vendors >>>> consider the event valuable. We believe this could translate >>>> well to the IETF. >>>> >>>> We are considering some test events, hopefully to be held at >>>> IETF 84 (Vancouver, July 2012) and IETF 85 (Atlanta, November >>>> 2012). >>>> >>>> The kinds of evaluation criteria we are considering could >>>> include: >>>> >>>> - Did participants enjoy the event? >>>> >>>> - Did vendors consider the event successful? >>>> >>>> - Did the IETF raise additional funds? >>>> >>>> - Did the event "steal" potential sponsors away from other >>>> aspects of the meeting? >>>> >>>> So, what do you think? Is this something that we should try? >>>> >>>> Please respond on the ietf@xxxxxxxx mail list. >>>> >>>> On behalf of the IESG and the IAOC, >>>> >>>> Russ Housley Bob Hinden >>> > >