On Mar 16, 2012, at 2:13 PM, David Meyer wrote: > On Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 2:03 PM, Fred Baker <f...@cisco.com> wrote: >> The question I would ask is: "who are the vendors marketing to, and what are >> they selling?" At NANOG, that's fairly clear; companies like Cisco and >> Juniper, and resellers like Network Hardware, are selling to their >> customers, who are often technical decision makers or senior staff in >> companies that buy the stuff. The vendors that sponsor the event go home >> with business cards, which give them the opportunity for sales contacts >> after the event. Those people also come to IETF, but many others at IETF are >> from exactly those vendors, or from research and academia. I'm not convinced >> that the lead generation exercise, which is the vendor's reason for showing >> up and sponsoring the event, is going to be as useful for them. >> >> Not opposed to the experiment, but not sure that we're comparing apples to >> apples. > > While I agree Fred, what the beer'n'gear really provides is another venue for > our community to socialize (just like any other social event).
Of course, and socializing is a good thing. What I'm looking at is the reason for the vendor to sponsor it. When I come to your and my boss and say "gee, let's spend a few hundred thousand dollars in the general direction of ISOC/IETF", I have to scramble a bit to answer a long list of questions headed by "what's in it for me?" and "who's budget does this come from?". I think I can say what question I would be asked if I said "let's be a beer'n'gear sponsor". I'm not sure that the answer I would give ranks with the one NANOG might give. > Even at the IETF social events are "sponsored" to different degrees. So while > vendors get to display their wares, for the most part B'n'G provides another > "hallway" where people can socialize/talk while having free beer and food (as > well as a way for NANOG to generate revenue). In the NANOG case this is a > win-win, however, for the reasons you cite it would be an experiment at the > IETF. > > Dave > >> >> On Mar 16, 2012, at 12:49 PM, IAOC Chair wrote: >> >>> >>> The IESG and IAOC are considering an addition to the IETF meeting week, and >>> we would like your views before we develop the idea further. >>> >>> At NANOG, there is a Beer and Gear reception one evening. There are >>> exhibitor tables with product vendors (hardware and software) and service >>> providers (registries, registrars, ISPs, ESPs, etc.) and anyone else >>> interested in face time with NANOG participants. They show their equipment >>> and services. There is bar in the center of the room serving beer, wine, >>> and soft drinks. There are hors d'oeuvres scattered around the room. >>> >>> QUESTION: What do you think about doing a Beer and Gear style >>> of event on an evening that does not conflict with >>> other IETF activities? >>> >>> This would be an opportunity for free food and drink for attendees, for >>> vendors and service providers to talk with IETF participants, and for >>> additional revenue to the IETF. Obviously, attendance would be optional. >>> >>> Technical people are at the tables, not sales or marketing staff. Vendors >>> know that the audience is very technical, so they send the people that can >>> communicate with that audience. >>> >>> We would charge for exhibit tables, to raise additional funds for the IETF. >>> A stronger base of opportunities for IETF sponsorship distributes our >>> funding, making it less fragile; this could make it less likely that we >>> would have last-minute scrambles for additional sponsors, including hosts. >>> A successful Beer-and-Gear like event would not solve this but it would >>> help. >>> >>> In the past, the IETF has avoided vendor exhibits and demonstrations. >>> However it is clear that NANOG has found a balance that works and that >>> NANOG participants and the vendors consider the event valuable. We believe >>> this could translate well to the IETF. >>> >>> We are considering some test events, hopefully to be held at IETF 84 >>> (Vancouver, July 2012) and IETF 85 (Atlanta, November 2012). >>> >>> The kinds of evaluation criteria we are considering could include: >>> >>> - Did participants enjoy the event? >>> >>> - Did vendors consider the event successful? >>> >>> - Did the IETF raise additional funds? >>> >>> - Did the event "steal" potential sponsors away from other >>> aspects of the meeting? >>> >>> So, what do you think? Is this something that we should try? >>> >>> Please respond on the ietf@ietf.org mail list. >>> >>> On behalf of the IESG and the IAOC, >>> >>> Russ Housley >>> Bob Hinden >>
