On Thu, May 23, 2013 at 1:13 PM, Andrew G. Malis <agmalis@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > I think this is an excellent idea. The Adelaide meeting worked out fine, and > this would be a lot closer for a great many participants than that meeting > was. Likewise. --dmm > > Cheers, > Andy > > > > On Thu, May 23, 2013 at 11:54 AM, The IAOC <bob.hinden@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> >> 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@xxxxxxxx>. >> >> Thanks, >> Bob Hinden >> IAOC Chair > >