I have two comments on this. 1) I am in favor of allowing the IAOC to experiment with an event (or two) like this for the purposes of developing running code with the associated pros, cons and economics.
2) I would attend such an additional event if the gear on display was related to technology I am personally interested in (e.g. commerically available IPv6 Ready gear). Regards, Ed J. On Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 3:49 PM, IAOC Chair <[email protected]> wrote: > > The IESG and IAOC are considering an addition to the IETF meeting week, > and we would like your views before we develop the idea further. > > At NANOG, there is a Beer and Gear reception one evening. There are > exhibitor tables with product vendors (hardware and software) and service > providers (registries, registrars, ISPs, ESPs, etc.) and anyone else > interested in face time with NANOG participants. They show their equipment > and services. There is bar in the center of the room serving beer, wine, > and soft drinks. There are hors d'oeuvres scattered around the room. > > QUESTION: What do you think about doing a Beer and Gear style > of event on an evening that does not conflict with > other IETF activities? > > This would be an opportunity for free food and drink for attendees, for > vendors and service providers to talk with IETF participants, and for > additional revenue to the IETF. Obviously, attendance would be optional. > > Technical people are at the tables, not sales or marketing staff. Vendors > know that the audience is very technical, so they send the people that can > communicate with that audience. > > We would charge for exhibit tables, to raise additional funds for the > IETF. A stronger base of opportunities for IETF sponsorship distributes our > funding, making it less fragile; this could make it less likely that we > would have last-minute scrambles for additional sponsors, including hosts. > A successful Beer-and-Gear like event would not solve this but it would > help. > > In the past, the IETF has avoided vendor exhibits and demonstrations. > However it is clear that NANOG has found a balance that works and that > NANOG participants and the vendors consider the event valuable. We believe > this could translate well to the IETF. > > We are considering some test events, hopefully to be held at IETF 84 > (Vancouver, July 2012) and IETF 85 (Atlanta, November 2012). > > The kinds of evaluation criteria we are considering could include: > > - Did participants enjoy the event? > > - Did vendors consider the event successful? > > - Did the IETF raise additional funds? > > - Did the event "steal" potential sponsors away from other > aspects of the meeting? > > So, what do you think? Is this something that we should try? > > Please respond on the [email protected] mail list. > > On behalf of the IESG and the IAOC, > > Russ Housley > Bob Hinden >
