2020 NPAPW

[Claudio Allocchio <>]

On Wed, 11 Mar 2020, Ann Doyle wrote:

> Dear program committee members -
>
> In light of the current circumstances related to the rapidly evolving 
> coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and with New York declaring a state of 
> emergency, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, our host for the 2020 
> Network Performing Arts Production Workshop (NPAPW), has issued a 
> cancellation of all events of 50 or more.
>
> John Kolb, Mary Simoni and I had a chance to talk today, and we don’t 
> think this ban will be lifted in time for our workshop, and believe we 
> need to cancel now, allowing everyone involved the chance to cancel 
> their travel plans and recover their financial losses as best as they 
> can.  Internet2, which managed registration, will issue full refunds. 
> And our hotels, with whom our NYSERNet colleagues negotiated great 
> rates, will allow cancelations at this juncture without penalties.

I do not see the problem "50 or more", but just the opposite: people will 
just not come to the workshop because of travel bans, or even "just better 
not go"... and this will make the workshop empty and of little use...

The only problem people will have will be with air tickets. airlines are 
just allowing "rescheduling" or "travel certificates", which will just not 
be usable for many people (just myself already have the one to Global 
Summit and will have the one to NPAPWS)... but let's hope they change 
policies (I think we as organizations should put pressure on them, 
officially, to make them do real reimboursements... "we have to cancel a 
number of meetings: all people going to those meeting should have refunds 
fron your airline/company etc").

> Each of you have spent so much time planning, advising, and prepping for 
> this wonderful event that, with a genuinely heavy heart, I’m asking for 
> your support for this difficult decision.  I would like to write our 
> registered attendees, and let them know we have decided to cancel – with 
> the support of our host RPI, Internet2, GÉANT, NYSERNet and, most 
> importantly, the 2020 NPAPW Program Committee.  Let me know your 
> thoughts.

at the moment, there is other choice, also because I still wee quite 
little participation of institions not involved in direct way in the 
organization.

all the best,

PS: we may think also to attempt a reschedule, in fall... shall we 
consider this?

 >
> Thank you, and stay well everyone.    Warm regards.    -Ann
> ______________________
> Ann Doyle
> Community Engagement Manager
> Higher Education and Cultural Programs
> Internet2
> +1.734.352.7011

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Claudio Allocchio             G   A   R   R          
                        Senior Technical Officer
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