Re: [802SEC] It doesn't have to be either or
Carl,
For the record, I did raise some of the primary issues with this venue
in an email title "Logistics question for Rome proposal" on 9/14/2007
(though at the time the exchange rate hadn't fallen as far as it is now
and I didn't know that the hotel would only accommodate 600 of us so I
didn't realize how bad the accessibility issue would become).
From the email in September:
Accessability of lunch and dinner spots -
It looks like the Rome Marriott Park is a recently completed hotel in a
mainly industrial area. I understand that to get a large facility with
conference space they may have had to go to this kind of area but it
sounds like there are no nearby restaurants. Comments on line say it is
a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride (and 20 Euros) to get to restaurants (other
than the hotel's). They do have a free shuttle into downtown but it
sounds like it is a longish ride, runs every two hours and in any case
it wouldn't handle the capacity of our dinner crowd.
Maybe in the next year and a half something more will go in near the
hotel.
They list the Muratella bus and subway stop as being closest to the
hotel but don't say how far it is.
Can we get info on how far the hotel is from bus and subway stops?
Additional fees for guest services -
Apparently, the indoor pool has an entrance fee. It isn't clear whether
that fee is also required for the fitness room and they don't say what
the fee is.
On line comments indicate that the fee for internet access in the rooms
may be unusually high as well.
Can we get some feedback from the hotel on what they will be charging
our members for this kind of services? Can we negotiate guest room
internet and fitness center/pool access into the rate? I think people
will be irritated if the fees for these services are excessive after
paying a high conference fee and room rate.
-----Original Message-----
From: ***** IEEE 802 Executive Committee List *****
[mailto:STDS-802-SEC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG] On Behalf Of Carl R. Stevenson
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 1:27 PM
To: STDS-802-SEC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG
Subject: Re: [802SEC] It doesn't have to be either or
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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