Re: [802SEC] It doesn't have to be either or
Carl,
There is no reason why we would have to reserve a large room block for
the Rome venue. The meeting facility is not tied to rooms. So there
would not be any room penalties. And since people would be free to book
a room at any hotel they wish, it would be far less costly to attend
than what was claimed in the survey. If other hotels are not within an
easy walking distance, we could hire a coach to shuttle people between
various hotels and the meeting location. I assume this would cost far
less than the difference in room rates. There are many ways that we
could make Rome work.
But, if the EC gives up on Rome without trying creative ways to make it
work, then I hate to see us settle for Vancouver. I don't believe that
if Vancouver is still available at this date that other locations that
could fit us, including in Hawaii, would not also be available.
jl
On 11/26/2007 1:27 PM, Carl R. Stevenson wrote:
> John,
>
> While I agree that Vancouver is not a logical alternative to Rome (it
> doesn't meet our nNA objectives), I must admit that based on information
> that has come to light recently (which I think should have been FAR more
> broadly and prominently brought to the EC's attention MUCH sooner, and
> likely would have resulted in retaining other nNA venues for further
> consideration, rather than dropping them from consideration), I am EXTREMELY
> concerned that holding fast on Rome will result in a MAJOR financial
> disaster for 802.
>
> 1) Attendance may drop DRAMATICALLY, significantly impacting both meeting
> fees and room committments.
>
> 2) Even if 1) does not happen, or the drop is modest, at the quoted room
> rates, I doubt that more than a small fraction of our room block will be
> booked at the quoted rates, resulting in significant penalties (which if I
> recall correctly, could also negatively impact our costs for F&B and meeting
> space).
>
> As far as Hawaii goes, I don't think the Waikaloa Village, where the
> wireless groups have held 2 interims (and plan to return for a 3rd) has
> enough rooms or meeting space to hold an 802 plenary and there is no
> "neighbor" property within a reasonable distance to support a split venue.
> (Besides, at this date, Hawaiian properties that could hold us may well
> already be booked for March 2009.)
>
> As much as I dislike it, I am becoming inclined (but not *quite* ready to
> commit) to supporting Vancouver, because I don't think we can afford the
> risk that the Rome venue poses and I am not optimistic that a viable nNA
> alternative could be found and committed before our option on Vancouver
> expires.
>
> Should I do so, it will be with the greatest of reluctance and should in NO
> way be construed as a change of direction from my firm view that we need to
> (and should be able to have) nNA plenaries, as so many other large groups
> routinely do.
>
> Carl
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-stds-802-sec@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG
>> [mailto:owner-stds-802-sec@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG] On Behalf Of J Lemon
>> Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 3:17 PM
>> To: 802 EC
>> Subject: [802SEC] It doesn't have to be either or
>>
>> If you are inclined to vote against Rome, think before you vote for
>> Vancouver. Vancouver is not the logical alternative to Rome.
>> If we can't
>> get a European or Asian venue this time, then the next best
>> venue would
>> at least be non-NA. I know that people are afraid of Hawaii being seen
>> as a vacation trip. But I also know that it is very popular among our
>> participants coming from Asia, and it is definitely non-NA.
>> Sure, it is
>> still the US, but does anyone other than Canadians (hi Mike)
>> really view
>> Canada as being a non-American venue? Vancouver does little
>> if anything
>> to ease the Americancentric appearance, and does nothing to alleviate
>> the travel burden of those from other continents. Rome may not be the
>> best choice, but neither is Vancouver. Until a venue is proposed that
>> addresses at least some of the problems we were trying to solve, I ask
>> you to reject switching to a random venue of convenience.
>>
>> John Lemon
>>
>> ----------
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>>
>>
>
>
>
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