RIPE80 was a success. Just look at the numbers. So well done everybody! Amazing job.
So what next? As has been said, and indeed it is obvious, it is too early to make decisions about RIPE81 or even Milan. But I think we can be fairly relaxed about going virtual again for RIPE81 if we have to do so. But then what? Apparently there were once four RIPE meetings in the same year! But for a number of years we had three meetings each year, most of them in Amsterdam. Then we moved to two meetings, with many being away from Amsterdam. And of course in parallel the ease and scale of on-line participations has improved. It is interesting though to look at the on-site participation. It has varied markedly not only in terms of overall numbers but also in the mix. There is a fair amount of churn in there. And I am now also sensitive to the idea that low density travel will mean more expensive travel. I am of course looking forward to our next on-site meeting. Like many other people? But I would expect virtual meetings to now be part of the normal mix. At least one every other year? If not more? Gordon
