Survey states: ICANN community wants to meet in person in October
Most people who responded to a recent survey would like this year’s Annual General Meeting to be held in person.
A majority of the 665 people who responded to a recent survey stated they want ICANN to hold this year’s Annual General Meeting in person this October. The meeting is slated for Seattle October 23-28.
It would be the first meeting held in person since ICANN 66 in Montreal in November 2019.
More than half of respondents want to meet in person, even if it means reduced global diversity, a reduced program, advanced registration for sessions, and limited attendance due to vaccine requirements. Fewer than 25% were opposed to meeting under these circumstances.
People are overwhelmingly willing to put up with restrictions, too. For example, only 11% are opposed to a vaccine requirement and 10% to a face mask requirement.
75% stated that if they had to answer today, they would attend the meeting assuming they can travel to the U.S. Many of those who replied no stated it was due to quarantine or travel restrictions.
Borders are still closed around the world and quarantine requirements are in place. Vaccine availability is still uneven even in North America, with demand outstripping supply just north of Seattle in Canada.
Seattle, for its part, was the first major U.S. city to hit a 70% fully vaccinated rate among people 12 and older. 97% of fresh cases in the city are among people who are not fully vaccinated.
