Subject: Re: Query to the community -- An additional IETF Meeting event?

From: IETF Chair <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 18:15:16 -0400

We have identified space in Vancouver to hold the "Bits and Bites" event, and we are now seeking sponsors for tables at the event.  If your organization is interested in face-to-face time with hundreds of IETF participants, please contact Drew Dvorshak <[email-masked]> to sponsor a table.  Please act promptly as we need to make some commitments in the first few days of June.

The expectation is that exhibitors will showcase products and services.  That is, exhibitor tables will be staffed by product vendors (hardware and software) and service providers (registries, registrars, ISPs, ESPs, etc.) and others interested in face-to-face time with IETF participants.  While attendance is optional, many IETF participants are likely to show up to consume the free beer, wine, soft drinks, and hors d'oeuvres that will be served in the same room.

Each exhibitor table will include a single power strip and access to the IETF wireless network.  Additional power or wired network connections may require an additional fee from the table sponsor.

Thanks,
Russ

On Apr 16, 2012, at 11:40 AM, IETF Chair wrote:

> We sent a query to the community on March 16, 2012.  There was a discussion on the IETF mailing list.  We also presented the topic in the IETF chair and IAOC chair presentations at administrative plenary at IETF 83, and there was an active discussion at the open mic that followed.
> 
> Our conclusion is there is a consensus to test the event for the next two IETF meetings (Vancouver and Atlanta).  We believe this can be done in a manner that will not turn the meeting into a trade show, and we believe that it will create an opportunity for IETFers to network with each other, as well as talking to vendors and service providers.
> 
> On behalf of the IESG and the IAOC,
> Russ Housley
> Bob Hinden