This discussion about meetings has triggered an idea. The meeting in Paris is scheduled to start on the 22. June. The 21. June (the solstice day) is in France the "Fête de la Musique" (the "Music Festival"), aka. "Faites de la Musique" ("Do some Music"), as the prononciation in French of the two expressions is the same. Traditionally, it is the day in which amateur musicians play in the streets. You hear music everywhere, and the athmosphere is very exciting. Although there are professional musicians also involved, it is really the party of the people who might never play in a professional role in the music industry, but that just enjoy getting together and "doing it". Anyway, I am sure that Sébastien Bachollet can give more details than I do. To me, this is a sort of what ALAC is for the Internet: the rank and file, the enthusiasts who volounteer to participate, rather than the professionals. And an idea came to my mind. Why don't we organize, during the meeting week, an ICANN music evening, where all those who want to play and sing join in a show? At first sight, it looks like a crazy idea, but I am sure that if you think about it, you might start believing that it might work think at a group of african percussions organized by AFRALO, some oriental music coming from APRALO, a jazz combo from NARALO, tangos, bossas and salsa from LACRALO, other groups from EURALO . Of course, also open to other constituencies and staff maybe an alternative to the sport event? Cheers, Roberto PS: back to the initial subject, FYI there are at least three bids for the African meeting in late 2008, staff is already doing good diligence, I would hope for a decision in January. Indeed, we are less than a year from the event, and it is already too late wrt the standard proposed by Evan, but at least I want to give you the information that things are well underway, and ICANN is not just waiting for something to happen.