I went today to look at the program for CIKM, which is being held two hours away from my house. There are a few interesting talks, so I briefly thought about going. Then I looked at the fees for attending the conference. The fees range from 755 (if you already paid the ACM tax of $99) to a high of $1225 if you are not an ACM member and register onsite. I’m trying to imagine what possible cost structure they could have to justify a fee of $1255. The page lists the following:
- Admission to main conference sessions
- Electronic Proceedings
- Lunches: Monday and Wednesday
- Refreshments for all breaks
- Welcoming Reception (live music and some great wine)
- Banquet at a leading Napa Valley vineyard (Details to be announced shortly; possibly fancy dress since it is Halloween afterall)
So basically they give us a CD (total cost of production under $1), lunches (you can get two good lunches for $30, even in Napa), refreshments (maybe another $30 if you eat like a horse), wine ($20/person in Napa for good wine), music (am I at a scientific conference or what?), and a banquet (let’s say $100). I get a grand total of under $200 for that – I assume they pay a fair amount for the lecture hall, but that’s usually subsidized by the overpriced hotel rooms, so the question is
WHY DOES ACM HAVE SUCH A HIGH COST STRUCTURE FOR CONFERENCES?
I guess I won’t see you at the conference. I can’t justify wasting my company’s money that much. It’s another reminder of why I chose the name SIGCRAP for my blog.