--On Wednesday, May 29, 2013 14:50 +1000 George Michaelson <ggm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > I went to Adelaide. it was my first IETF. I am now an IETF > regular-irregular, of 10+ years standing. So, proof by > example, it increased Australian participation by at least 1. >... I think that increasing IETF participation by you has certainly been worthwhile for the IETF. We went to Australia in part because there was already a significant base of Australian participation (as you point out). Certainly the organization for which you work had others who participated on a regular basis, so there should have been significant support structure for your participation both before and after your first meeting. As I've said before, I think we would be more than justified in going back to Australia and I would try attend such a meeting. Even those other factors were not relevant in your continued participation, if one calculates the aggregate marginal cost to other participants --in either money out of pocket or in justifying additional travel expenses against tight budgets-- if the key accomplishment directly associated with your meeting there is adding you as a participant, you are a rather expensive guy for the rest of us. best, john