Mike and members, Thanks for the comments. In the ICANN proposal there is a list of evaluation criteria, like anything it comes down to weighting. Is there any criteria that BC members think are missing. Point (e) of Mikes draft is for more info from the meeting department and a further evaluation. I am thinking we should add other views at this stage in case a further published matrix does not happen. One important suggestion in the report, I have not seen referred to yet is the concept of selecting two alternating core cities in Europe and in Asia Pacific I pose the following question to BC members. Do you support the idea of core meeting cities? Do you support that the core will be EU and Asia and not USA? Do you believe meetings in "out of the way" locations are beneficial and in line with ICANN strategy/mission? If so why? Practical reasons and philosophical reasons may be considered. Do you believe meetings in "out of the way" locations are too inefficient. If so why? Best Chris Chaplow Managing Director Andalucia.com S.L. Avenida del Carmen 9 Ed. Puertosol, Puerto Deportivo 1ª Planta, Oficina 30 Estepona, 29680 Malaga, Spain Tel: + (34) 952 897 865 Fax: + (34) 952 897 874 E-mail: <mailto:chris@andalucia.com> chris@andalucia.com Web: <http://www.andalucia.com/> www.andalucia.com Information about Andalucia, Spain. De: owner-bc-gnso@icann.org [mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org] En nombre de Steve DelBianco Enviado el: miércoles, 24 de octubre de 2012 3:41 Para: bc - GNSO list Asunto: [bc-gnso] FOR REVIEW: draft BC comment on ICANN's proposed strategy for meetings BC member Mike Roberts has drafted a comment for review, regarding ICANN's proposed plan for consolidating meeting locations. ICANN's Public Comment page for the proposed strategy is here <http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/meetings-proposal-2012-02oct12- en.htm> . The strategy document is here <http://www.icann.org/en/about/participate/meetings-proposal-02oct12-en.pdf> . As I wrote last week, this proposal is to retain 3 meetings per year, two of which are always in Europe and Asia. For 2014, 2015, and 2016, here is ICANN's proposal: Asia/Pacific gets 1st meeting of each year Europe gets 2nd meeting of each year North America/Africa/Latin America alternate for the 3rd meeting. Below is the BC comment proposed by Mike Roberts: The BC endorses the staff proposal to revise the public meetings calendar and offers these additional comments. (a) There should be a continuous meetings evaluation process. ICANN public meetings are now large and expensive undertakings - over $2 million for ICANN, and undoubtedly more than that for participant travel and accommodation costs. The number, timing and scope of public meetings should be carefully reviewed to make best use of scarce resources. As ICANN changes, so should the meetings adjust to new circumstances. (b) Consistent with its commitment to openness and transparency, ICANN should place a high priority on selecting host country sites with minimal visa requirements and favorable travel costs for participants from developing nations. (c) Proposed contracts with venues and hotels should include a substantial discount from standard rates, and these discounts should be available to all attendees. (d) The Internet infrastructure of meeting sites must be more than "adequate." ICANN should continue to foster investment in Internet facilities everywhere, and should reward hosts who demonstrate their commitment to the network by providing superior access and bandwidth. (e) The BC suggests that the next step is for the staff to complete an evaluation matrix for the proposed future sites, identifying key selection factors, and post this information for additional public comment. Initial comments close 17-Nov. That gives us enough time to allow our regular 14-day review and approval period. So, please reply all with your questions or suggestions regarding this draft, before 6-Nov-2012. Note that Several comments have already been filed on this topic (link <http://forum.icann.org/lists/meetings-proposal-2012/> ), including a sobering note from Michelle Chaplow about hotel pricing. Thanks again to Mike Roberts for taking the lead here. Steve DelBianco Vice chair for policy coordination Business Constituency