Speaking as an IETF participator, it is good for IETF diversity. Many people will also enjoy to visit a new places with curious. Actually, Buenos Aires disappointed me when I found it was so similar to European cities.
Speaking as an Asian, last time I flight to Buenos Aires took me more than 30 hours door-to-door. Also, longer flight time means more expensive air tickets. As result, we may experience a meeting with much less Asian participators. I am not sure the increase of participators from other continents can meet the gap. Best regards, Sheng >-----Original Message----- >From: ietf-boun...@ietf.org [mailto:ietf-boun...@ietf.org] On Behalf Of The >IAOC >Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:54 PM >To: IETF Announcement List >Cc: ietf@ietf.org >Subject: IETF Meeting in South America > >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@ietf.org>. > >Thanks, >Bob Hinden >IAOC Chair
