[registrars] Registrar Constituency Meetings Update

["Michael D. Palage" <michael@palage.com>]

February Meeting:

It was agreed upon by the Executive Committee after considering numerous
factors that the Constituency will hold a two day meeting February 16-17
(Saturday & Sunday) in Dulles, Virginia. This meeting is tentatively going
to be held at the Dulles Marriott (do not make reservation yet, see below).
As there are some people that expressed interest in a different date and/or
location let me explain the reasoning of the Executive Committee.

The weekend of the 16-17 was chosen to benefit the European registrars that
would have been unable to make the earlier tentative date because of a
scheduling conflict with an event in Austria. Given that the European
registrars would be most inconvenienced by the location, it was decided to
me most flexible to their timing requirements. An additional concession to
our European colleagues provided for a weekend event. This allowed
registrars to arrive Friday afternoon and/or evening and only have to spend
two nights on accommodations to get the Saturday stay and thus cheaper
airfare.

There was some concern raised about the price of airfare and accommodations
because of the holiday weekend (President's Day weekend). We have arranged
for a tentative hotel fare of $78 per night plus tax, and I have seen little
difference in airfare prices based upon a 21 day advance purchase. I believe
there is also a complimentary shuttle to the airport which is an added
bonus.

I am in discussions with the registries and other interested parties in
connection with sponsorship opportunities to potentially overset the costs
of the conference rooms. The Executive Committee will be discussing these
sponsorship opportunities on our Monday call and will let you know what the
options are.

*** IMPORTANT ***
I have not yet finalized a contract with the hotel, but need to know how
many people will be attending to reserve an appropriate sized conference
room and a proper block of hotel rooms. Please provide me with notification
as to the number of people interested in attending and those that will need
hotel rooms ASAP.

I will be posting a tentative agenda to the registrar list after
consultation with the Executive Committee and Name Counsel representatives
on Monday. However, it is most likely to deal with issues set forth in the
proposed 2002 agenda.


Accra Meeting:

Although there does not expect to be a significant turn-out in Accra, there
will be a core group of registrars in attendance that will be meeting. I
have not confirmed which Executive Committee and Names Council members will
be in attendance. It is hoped that the work started in Dulles will be
complete and ready for presentation by Accra.

Best regards,

Michael D. Palage
Chairperson of the Registrar Constituency