> From: ietf-bounces@xxxxxxxx [mailto:ietf-bounces@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Henk > Uijterwaal > > We have had cases where the opening reception was sponsored by somebody other > than the host for the meeting (if there was a host). The sponsor didn't get > much more than the possibility to put a sign near the front door and get > some recognition during one of the plenary sessions. This proposal > essentially > says that the sponsors can demonstrate equipment during the reception. [WEG] +1 I was one of the people who suggested this to IAOC after recently attending my first NANOG in a good while. While I realize the audiences (and therefore the attractiveness to marketing budgets) are different, the sharp contrast between the two made it clear that there may be some opportunities to tweak IETF's sponsorship methods and potentially reduce the costs attendees are asked to bear without turning it into yet another tradeshow or forcing I* members to wear auto-racing-style suits emblazoned with vendor logos. :-) In addition to Beer-n-gear, NANOG had 2 other sponsored (i.e. free to all attendees) socials, and enough free T-shirts to last a person a week, plus 3-4 slides full of sponsor logos. Not that we need any more free t-shirts, but compare that to this IETF, where if you want a shirt, you must purchase it because we didn't have a primary sponsor until Cisco took pity on us (and apparently the shirt cannot be sponsored separately). That said, I don't think that this potential experiment requires a *separate* night. I'd much prefer to replace the current "overpriced hotel cash bar" arrangement at the welcome reception with something more like beer-n-gear. I'm also willing to try it in lieu of a social event, since those are typically hit or miss in terms of whether the environment is conducive to socializing, whether they're worth the additional money one must pay to attend them, and the fact that these are generally limited participation (tickets required), thereby reducing the opportunities for group socialization. > And, having been to such sessions at NANOG and others, I know that you don't > have to look at the gear brought by the vendors, it is perfectly possible to > have the beer (for free) and have the hallway discussion you wanted to have > anyway, while ignoring the demos. [WEG] This is definitely true. The two are not mutually exclusive. Wes George This E-mail and any of its attachments may contain Time Warner Cable proprietary information, which is privileged, confidential, or subject to copyright belonging to Time Warner Cable. This E-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this E-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to the contents of and attachments to this E-mail is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this E-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy of this E-mail and any printout.