So, I got an e-mail from ISTE.  Don Knezek himself.  He asked if I’d call him directly (on his cell phone!) to discuss my concerns about a fee being attached to attendance at the Digital Equity Summit.  So, I did.

He told me that a lot of consideration went into the decision to attach a fee.  Last year, apparently, there was no fee and about 1/3 of the 200 or so registrants failed to show up.  Corporate sponsors who had footed the bill were annoyed/frustrated; at least one backed out entirely this year as a result.  [Incidentally,  Don noted that this problem did not arise in 2006; there was no fee then, but just about everyone who registered attended.]  Don also said that they want the summit to be a first-class event and don’t want to cut back in any way.  Hence, they decided to impose a fee that they thought wasn’t too overwhelming.

My thoughts?  Well, first of all, it was tremendously gracious and classy of Don to reach out to me.  My e-mail did not go to him directly, yet he felt it important enough to contact me personally.  Secondly, it’s possible I have registered for an important, day-long event in the past only to not show up.  But, I can’t remember one.  So, I guess I didn’t imagine this as a possible reason for imposing a fee.  Third, despite all that, I’m still squarely on the side of no fee (and Don told me that I’m not alone in that camp).  If it comes down to me or, more importantly, schools paying $50 or corporate entities being annoyed at empty seats, I’d tell the corporate entities to chill out (I’d be more diplomatic than that).  And, if not paying $50 means I’ll get no coffee and a lesser lunch, that’d be OK by me.  I wouldn’t be going to a digital equity summit to enjoy the experience; I’d be going because there’s really important work to be done.

In the end, I’m really glad I sent the e-mail and I’m grateful that Don Knezek contacted me directly.  Now, though, do I pay the $50 and whatever it’ll cost to change my flight to attend the Summit?  Hmmmm…

Tags: digital equity, NECC