Engagement with ICANN: Yes. I have met with Chris Mondini, and also spoken to several Board members and other ICANN staff responsible for Europe/Eastern Europe.

Re: Numbers of recruited companies: The BC has never been successful in recruiting large flocks of member companies, or associations, and as approved, the BC Outreach Strategy focuses on quality, not quantity.  Maintaining members over time is a challenge, especially when SMEs do not have funding to attend ICANN meetings, as we all are very familiar, so the past experience has been that we have been most successful in recruiting/maintaining members when we can demonstrate that the purpose of the BC and of ICANN is directly related to their business policy concerns. 

Funding:  Did you have a chance to look through the complete proposal: I offered a very high level outline with two panels related to general business interests, and one high level panel related to ICANN, with also speakers as Joran, CEO/President/ICANN and Cherine, Board Chair, and referenced high level speaker from a very large European/Eastern European wide Association. [She has been contacted by her senior staff and has expressed her interest/pending dates/early confirmation].  

You may have also noted that I invited and have confirmation that Chris Mondini will work very closely on the development of the program. And that all BC members are invited to the Business Summit, of course!  And you will note that I proposed that BC members would be expressly invited to become involved in a more direct way in engaging directly with attending business executives/leaders. 

Engagement with the Barcelona business community is also  noted, as Barcelona is a "tech hub".  

What makes this different, is that it also includes a major engagement opportunity with high level government attendees who will be separately invited by the GAC/ICANN leadership for the High Level GAC meeting which will begin the next day, in a reception, thus also addressing our continued interest in advancing the engagement and visibility of the BC with the governments/GAC.  

Can you be more specific  about any other questions and concerns? I want to be sure I have answered them completely.

Re Outreach for 61:  I think we are also waiting for the agenda, including invitees, for the upcoming ICANN61 meeting. Perhaps you can also forward that to the Outreach committee, as that meeting is almost upon us and I have to firm up my travel. I had asked if we have the opportunity to invite others from business but didn't see that confirmation.  As time is fleeting, and we all have many other responsibilities at ICANN, it would be very helpful to see your agenda for that meeting. 

Marilyn