Changes

===Meeting Schedule===

===Meeting Schedule===

The first ICANN Meeting lasted only three days,<ref name="singapore">[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FoU7zsFSPv8J:singapore41.icann.org/meetings/singapore2011/transcript-welcome-20jun11-en.txt+first+ICANN+meeting+singapore+1999&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com [[ICANN 41]] Opening Transcript], ICANN.org.</ref> while more contemporary meetings have all lasted just over a week. Monday through Friday has generally been the busiest time of the conference, but certain meetings and working groups often take place the weekend prior to the official start.<ref>[http://svsf40.icann.org/node/22237 [[ICANN 40]] Schedule], ICANN.org.</ref> The schedule also features a number of specialized networking events, provided by various sponsors. These include a Welcoming Reception, a Gala Night, and the [[Rod Beckstrom]]-introduced Music Night.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/08/16/icann-fires-ceo Dot Nxt Op-ed on Beckstrom's Resignation], Dot-Nxt.com. Published 2011 August 16.</ref>

The first ICANN Meeting lasted only three days,<ref name="singapore">[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FoU7zsFSPv8J:singapore41.icann.org/meetings/singapore2011/transcript-welcome-20jun11-en.txt+first+ICANN+meeting+singapore+1999&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com [[ICANN 41]] Opening Transcript], ICANN.org.</ref> while more recent meetings have all lasted just over a week. Monday through Friday has generally been the busiest time of the conference, but certain meetings and working groups often take place the weekend prior to the official start.<ref>[http://svsf40.icann.org/node/22237 [[ICANN 40]] Schedule], ICANN.org.</ref> The schedule also features a number of specialized networking events, provided by various sponsors. These include a Welcoming Reception, a Gala Night, and the [[Rod Beckstrom]]-introduced Music Night.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/08/16/icann-fires-ceo Dot Nxt Op-ed on Beckstrom's Resignation], Dot-Nxt.com. Published 2011 August 16.</ref>

The meetings themselves are a mix of closed and open door sessions between the [[SG|stakeholder groups]], [[Constituency|constituencies]], and other bodies. The meetings always conclude on Friday with an open [[ICANN Board|board meeting]] where the week's final resolutions are discussed and voted upon, and time is made to hear from any member of the community via an open mic.

The meetings themselves are a mix of closed and open door sessions between the [[SG|stakeholder groups]], [[Constituency|constituencies]], and other bodies. The meetings always conclude on Friday with an open [[ICANN Board|board meeting]] where the week's final resolutions are discussed and voted upon, and time is made to hear from any member of the community via an open mic.

==Sponsorship==

==Sponsorship==

Over the years, a variety of sponsorship schemes have been used with relation to ICANN meetings. It has been noted that the initial operation and the first meetings of the organization were made possible through loans from major industry companies, such as [[MCI]], [[Cisco]], and others.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/MCI,-Cisco-come-to-ICANNs-rescue/2100-1023_3-230097.html MCI Cisco come to ICANN's rescue], CNET.com.</ref><ref name="singapore"></ref> Currently, they have a six-tiered sponsorship scheme, offering plans ranging in price from $7,500 to $250,000. At one point, the highest level of sponsorship cost $500,000.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/01/05/verisign-gives-icann-500k-for-sponsorship/ VeriSign gives ICANN 500k for Sponsorship], DomainNameWire.com. Published 2011 January 5.</ref> There is also now the opportunity to sponsor individual "networking events", such as a lunch, coffee break, Music Night, etc.<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/sponsorship Sponsorship], ICANN.org.</ref>  

Over the years, a variety of sponsorship schemes have been used with relation to ICANN meetings. It has been noted that the initial operation and the first meetings of the organization were made possible through loans from major industry companies, such as [[MCI]], [[Cisco]], and others.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/MCI,-Cisco-come-to-ICANNs-rescue/2100-1023_3-230097.html MCI Cisco come to ICANN's rescue], CNET.com.</ref><ref name="singapore"></ref> Currently, there is a six-tier sponsorship scheme, offering plans ranging in price from $7,500 to $250,000. At one point, the highest level of sponsorship cost $500,000.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/01/05/verisign-gives-icann-500k-for-sponsorship/ VeriSign gives ICANN 500k for Sponsorship], DomainNameWire.com. Published 2011 January 5.</ref> There is also now the opportunity to sponsor individual "networking events", such as a lunch, coffee break, Music Night, etc.<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/sponsorship Sponsorship], ICANN.org.</ref>  

Highly active and reliable ICANN sponsors include [[Verisign]], [[Afilias]], [[Neustar]], [[Iron Mountain]], and others.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/verisign-drops-150000-on-icann-singapore/ Verisign Drops 150,000 on ICANN Singapore], DomainIncite.com. Published 2011 May 23.</ref> It is common for local corporations to sponsor when ICANN's rotating meeting schedule puts the meeting in their region.

Highly active and consistent ICANN sponsors include [[Verisign]], [[Afilias]], [[Neustar]], [[Iron Mountain]], and others.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/verisign-drops-150000-on-icann-singapore/ Verisign Drops 150,000 on ICANN Singapore], DomainIncite.com. Published 2011 May 23.</ref> It is common for local corporations to sponsor when ICANN's rotating meeting schedule puts the meeting in their region.

Full sponsorship info can be found [http://meetings.icann.org/sponsorship here].

Full sponsorship info can be found [http://meetings.icann.org/sponsorship here].

In November 2006, [[Susan Crawford]] led a discussion that resulted in a proposal of recommendations for implementing ICANN meetings in a more efficient, low-cost, and engaging way. Her paper was broken down into three parts: a description of the goals of ICANN meetings; a list of criticisms and concerns about the meetings; proposed solutions for the criticisms. Among other things, her recommendations included a public forum at the beginning of each of the three annual meetings, an online docket that tracks the status of all decisions made, and the establishment of a central hub for one of the three annual meetings. She also called for clearly stated agendas prior to the meetings and accountability in recording and publishing meeting minutes.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/meetings/white-paper.htm Meeting White Paper], ICANN.org. Published 2006 November. Retrieved 2012 November 20.</ref>

In November 2006, [[Susan Crawford]] led a discussion that resulted in a proposal of recommendations for implementing ICANN meetings in a more efficient, low-cost, and engaging way. Her paper was broken down into three parts: a description of the goals of ICANN meetings; a list of criticisms and concerns about the meetings; proposed solutions for the criticisms. Among other things, her recommendations included a public forum at the beginning of each of the three annual meetings, an online docket that tracks the status of all decisions made, and the establishment of a central hub for one of the three annual meetings. She also called for clearly stated agendas prior to the meetings and accountability in recording and publishing meeting minutes.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/meetings/white-paper.htm Meeting White Paper], ICANN.org. Published 2006 November. Retrieved 2012 November 20.</ref>

Crawford's reform ideas also involved a Public Workshop that was held at the [[ICANN 27]] Sao Paulo meeting, and many of her recommendations had been implemented by May 2008<ref name="reforms">[http://archive.icann.org/en/meetings/meetings-reform-discussion-paper-16may08-en.pdf Reform Discussion Paper], ICANN.org. Published 2008 May 16. Retrieved 2012 November 30.</ref>. Amongst these was ICANN's implementation of a new policy in 2007, which changed the execution and planning of the meetings -- which were currently handled by each meetings geographic hot -- in to the hands of ICANN itself.<ref name="october2012meeting">[http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/meetings-proposal-2012-02oct12-en.htm ICANN Consolidated Meetings Strategy Proposal], ICANN.org. Published 2012 October 2. Retrieved 2012 November 20.</ref>

Crawford's reform ideas also involved a Public Workshop that was held at the [[ICANN 27]] Sao Paulo meeting, and many of her recommendations had been implemented by May 2008<ref name="reforms">[http://archive.icann.org/en/meetings/meetings-reform-discussion-paper-16may08-en.pdf Reform Discussion Paper], ICANN.org. Published 2008 May 16. Retrieved 2012 November 30.</ref>. Among these was ICANN's implementation of a new policy in 2007, which changed the execution and planning of the meetings -- which were handled at that time by the host of the meeting - into the hands of ICANN itself.<ref name="october2012meeting">[http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/meetings-proposal-2012-02oct12-en.htm ICANN Consolidated Meetings Strategy Proposal], ICANN.org. Published 2012 October 2. Retrieved 2012 November 20.</ref>

In May 2008, a similar call for reforms addressed the fact that ICANN's original meeting structure was outdated. A paper outlined plans to set into motion long-term reforms for ICANN meetings, beginning in 2010. Its main proposal was for the annual meetings to be reduced from three to two, with one being located in a consistent central hub.<ref name="reforms"></ref>

In May 2008, a similar call for reforms addressed the concern that ICANN's original meeting structure was outdated. A paper outlined plans to set into motion long-term reforms for ICANN meetings, beginning in 2010. Its main proposal was for the annual meetings to be reduced from three to two, with one being located in a consistent central hub.<ref name="reforms"></ref>

A paper published in October 2012 attempted to provide rationale for the consolidation of ICANN meetings moving forward. The consistent growth of ICANN meetings, ICANN stated, makes "increasingly difficult to identify new hosts, as well as new host cities with the appropriate facilities." ICANN proposes that lessening the frequency of meetings and consolidating them across fewer locales will help increase the quality and predictability of meetings, as well as help establish favorable long-terms contracts with the facilities.<ref name="october2012meeting"></ref> The proposed new plan reduce the number of cities visited between 2014 and 2016 from nine to seven. Under ICANN's old plan, the meetings would be broken down to include two in Europe, two in North America, two in Asia-Pacific, two in Africa, and one in Latin America. The new plan would include three in Europe and three in Asia-Pacific, but in four countries rather than six. Africa, North America, and Latin America would all have one meeting.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10671-no-more-club-med-america-and-africa-would-lose-out-under-icann-meetings-overhaul No more Club Med? America and Africa would lose out under ICANN meetings overhaul], DomainIncite.com. Published 2012 October 2.</ref>

A paper published in October 2012 attempted to provide a rationale for the consolidation of future ICANN meetings. The consistent growth of ICANN meetings, ICANN stated, makes it "increasingly difficult to identify new hosts, as well as new host cities with the appropriate facilities." ICANN argues that reducing the frequency of meetings and consolidating them across fewer locales will help increase their quality and predictability, as well as help establish favorable long-term contracts with the facilities.<ref name="october2012meeting"></ref> The proposed new plan would reduce the number of cities visited between 2014 and 2016 from nine to seven. Under ICANN's old plan, the meetings would be broken down to include two in Europe, two in North America, two in Asia-Pacific, two in Africa, and one in Latin America. The new plan would include three in Europe and three in Asia-Pacific, but in four countries rather than six. Africa, North America, and Latin America would all have one meeting each.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10671-no-more-club-med-america-and-africa-would-lose-out-under-icann-meetings-overhaul No more Club Med? America and Africa would lose out under ICANN meetings overhaul], DomainIncite.com. Published 2012 October 2.</ref>

===Meeting Strategy Working Group (MSWG)===

===Meeting Strategy Working Group (MSWG)===

<i>Main article: [[Meeting Strategy Working Group]]</i>

<i>Main article: [[Meeting Strategy Working Group]]</i>

The MSWG was formed in 2013 to discuss and propose a strategy for future ICANN Meetings beginning in 2015. In February 2014 the MSWG posted a draft document for public comment that outlined it's recommendations. The proposed strategy would keep the current regional rotation of the meetings, but change the length of the meetings. The first meeting each year would be 6-7 days, which as of 2014 was the current length of all ICANN meetings. The second meeting of the year would be shorter in duration (3-4 days) and would focus on [[SO]] and [[AC]] work. This second meeting would attempt to be hosted by venues that could not support the larger meetings. The third meeting of the year would be the longest and largest (8-9 days) and would include the [[AGM]] and Public Board meetings.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/participation/mswg/recommendations-25feb14-en.pdf Recommendations 25 Feb 2014, ICANN.org] Retrieved 25 Feb 2014</ref>

The MSWG was formed in 2013 to discuss and propose a strategy for future ICANN Meetings beginning in 2015. In February 2014 the MSWG posted a draft document for public comment that outlined its recommendations. The proposed strategy would keep the current regional rotation of the meetings, but change the length of the meetings. The first meeting each year would be 6-7 days, which as of 2014 was the current length of all ICANN meetings. The second meeting of the year would be shorter in duration (3-4 days) and would focus on [[SO]] and [[AC]] work. This second meeting would ideally be hosted by venues that could not support the larger meetings. The third meeting of the year would be the longest and largest (8-9 days) and would include the [[AGM]] and Public Board meetings.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/participation/mswg/recommendations-25feb14-en.pdf Recommendations 25 Feb 2014, ICANN.org] Retrieved 25 Feb 2014</ref>

The comment period for the proposal will close March 20th 2014 and a final draft will then be reviewed by the [[ICANN Board]]. The Board will then make a decision to adopt the proposed strategies in some form.

The comment period for the proposal will close March 20th 2014 and a final draft will then be reviewed by the [[ICANN Board]]. The Board will then make a decision to adopt the proposed strategies in some form.

==Past and Future ICANN Meetings==

==Past and Future ICANN Meetings==

The primary factors considered in selecting the locations for the ICANN Meetings include: costs, accessibility, convenience, visa restrictions, availability and affordability of local transportation, proximity of hotel accommodations to the venue of the meetings, excellent space and meeting facilities, installation of networks infrastructures in meeting venues, safety and security.<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/location-selection-criteria Meeting Location Criteria], ICANN.org.</ref>

The primary factors considered in selecting the locations for the ICANN Meetings include: costs, accessibility, convenience, visa restrictions, availability and affordability of local transportation, proximity of hotel accommodations to the venue of the meetings, excellent space and meeting facilities, installation of networks infrastructures in meeting venues and safety and security.<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/location-selection-criteria Meeting Location Criteria], ICANN.org.</ref>

===List of ICANN Meetings===

===List of ICANN Meetings===

Below is the list of past and future ICANN Meetings that was held in different countries worldwide:<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/calendar Calendar of Events], ICANN.org.</ref>

Below is the list of past and future ICANN Meetings:<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/calendar Calendar of Events], ICANN.org.</ref>

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* [[ICANN 1]] - Singapore, Singapore-March 2-4, 1999

* [[ICANN 1]] - Singapore, Singapore-March 2-4, 1999