Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:27:35 -0500
From: Edward Morris <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Intercessional Planning
I completely support your concept of alternating the intersessional meetings between ICANN's hub sites. I also think consideration should be given to porting the intersessional on to either side of the GDD meeting, allowing perhaps for a day of overlap so we could meet with RySG and RrSG as well.
I disagree with you on Iceland for the current year. My goal is a meeting site where participants can get to fairly easily and with minimal time commitment. Reykjavik is 5 hours from the US east coast, 3 hours from major European cities, and has nonstop flights from the American west coast. That isn't good for our Asian, African or South American participants, but no city under consideration this year is (with discussion apparently revolving around North American and European locations). It's in the middle between North America and Europe and for budget travellers, if unfunded participants are allowed, it's a good location for both our North American and European members with two budget air carriers using Reykjavik as a hub.
However, as noted, I'd be happy to travel anywhere if it alleviated the visa issue for our visa challenged members. I see no reason to believe that Reykjavik would be more challenging for visas than any other location currently under consideration.
I wil note that I personally will be in Australia in February so although not visa challenged will have a long trip to Iceland if I am chosen to attend the meeting.