Dear all,

We would like to confirm the dates and location for the next face-to-face meeting which has been scheduled to align with deliverables. 

Dates: 26-27 March 2015 (two full working days)

Venue: Hilton İstanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center

SILAHSOR CAD. NO: 42 BOMONTI-SISLI, ISTANBUL, 34381, TURKEY (see map here)

Please note that this will also be the venue for the CCWG face-to-face meeting on 23-24 March, which was scheduled to comply with the CCWG's respective project plan and timeline.

CWG-CCWG leaderships agreed in a coordination meeting that holding their respective face-to-face meetings in the same location was the best way to use resources, and also achieve the desired degree of coordination. In light of the groups' geographical statistics and given the limited time window available for planning, the Co-Chairs considered locations that would be most efficient for membership travel. It was determined that Europe would be a desirable landing point. 

Co-chairs have worked with ICANN staff to determine a location for these separate meetings. Accessibility (international hubs) was used as a key search criteria. The meeting only being a few weeks away and the groups being significantly large and having quite specific technical requirements for remote participation, etc., the number of options was narrowed to a limited number of cities and venues able to accommodate the meetings. Availability of accommodation was also factored in. 

Mindful of the groups' diversity and to ensure maximum attendance in the meetings, the Co-Chairs decided that Istanbul would be the most suitable location. The Co-Chairs reached this decision based on, among other things, an analysis of visa procedures: Turkey delivers e­visas for most countries. In addition, Istanbul is a major hub for flights, and a doorway to Asia and Europe. 

Please note that the meeting will be webcast live through Adobe Connect and include remote participation capabilities consistent with the CWG-stewardship meetings held to date. The working session will also be recorded and transcribed. 

Only the 19 members of the CWG are eligible for travel funding from ICANN. Alternates are eligible for travel funding if and only if they are a current participant of the CWG and they are approved by their SO/AC to serve as an alternate. Participants are welcome to attend the F2F meeting at the own expense. Please confirm your in-person presence by sending an RSVP to grace.abuhamad@icann.org by Monday, 2 March ­at 23:59 UTC. 

We thank you for your understanding of the planning challenges and encourage you to contact ICANN staff should you have any questions or need any assistance with visa procedures. 

Best,
Grace