[Tccc] comparing/reverse-engineering conferences

hgs@cs.columbia.edu writes:
> First, I think it's fine to say "IEEE should run a leaner ship" - as long
> as the suggestions are concrete and realistic, rather than vague
> generalities - ....
> Those dissatisfied with the current society sponsorship model (as opposed
> to simply wanting to improve it) are also welcome to organize their own
> events, and to make it more reputable and cheaper than the existing
> alternatives.

Dear all:
Concerning above suggestions by Prof. Schulzrinne, and considering lack of
essential data (spreadsheet), I have made some simple inquiries, and
arrived at some potentially useful information/ideas:

I checked out websites of a couple of major conferences organised by major
US professional societies, to see how they do things. I took a quick look
at the website of the Annual Meeting of the American Economic Association
to be held in a few weeks. This is a major professional society, of
world-class standing which I think is fair to compare against the IEEE. I
did find some rather striking facts:
a) Their registration fee is only USD75 for NON-members (a bit less for
members).
b) Meals not included of course, but luncheon-type meals available for ca.
USD50 each (To compare to typical ComSoc events, 3 lunches and reception
would add about $200, for a total registration of... $275 for
NON-members).
c) Headquarter hotel, a Marriot property, only $99/ singles, $119doubles,
and plenty others offered at the similar rates.
D) All this in downtown of a major US city (easy/cheap transport): Atlanta.
Unreal?:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AEA/Annual_Meeting/pdfs/Registration_Form_2010.pdf
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AEA/Annual_Meeting/pdfs/Housing_Rates_2010.pdf
By comparison, Globecom'09 registration ranged from $600 (Lmtd. ComSoc
members) up to $1220 (late NON-members). Headquaters hotel started at
$189.00
The most recent major IEEE- ComSoc event held in Atlanta seems to be
WCNC'04. Even back then, registration ranged $625-$875 and Headquarters
hotel started at $189.

Now, some might say that because this society is outside engineering its
costs are not relevant. I do not see why, but still looked at the website
of the 2009 annual meeting of the ASCE (civil engineering) recently held
in Kansas City Marriott Downtown:
http://content.asce.org/conferences/annual2009/registration.html
Registration started at $445 for regular members (including 1 recept, 2
breakfasts, 2 luncheons), but only at $225 for "younger members" (recent
grads?) and $85 for students (apparently ALL enjoyed same meal privileges)
-- probably younger members and students were the vast majority, so the
average registration paid may have been close to that paid by the
economists! -- . A dinner ($95) and a "theme party" ($15 to $45) were
optional.

Considering the above, and inspired by Prof. Schulzrinne's comments I
propose the following "challenge" to everyone:

"reverse-engineer" Globecom '10!!

By this I mean that each tries to propose a budget to re-do Globecom'10.
The locaton, if not Hawaii, should be as similar as possible, and the
total cost of attendance should be considered (flight from a nearby major
hub, expected accommodation costs, etc). I suppose 10 days to come up with
the "fantasy" budget would be reasonable, and then the community somehow
chooses a "winner" (prise? collective admiration!). Do you agree that this
exercise would be interesting and valuable (and very much in accordance
with the quoted suggestions above)?

Wmbr,

Virgilio

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