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IETF 124 post-meeting survey
- Stephanie McCammon IETF Secretariat Director of Meeting Operations and Sponsorships
- Jay Daley IETF Executive Director
11 Dec 2025
The IETF 124 Montreal meeting was held 1-7 November 2025 and the results of the post-meeting survey are now available.
A summary of the survey results are below and a public report provides even more detailed information. The previous interactive dashboards are unfortunately no longer available. Thank you to all of you who responded to this survey as we use your views to continually adjust the meeting experience.
Analysis
We received 241 responses, 196 onsite, and 45 remote. With 1791 registered participants, this gives the survey a maximum margin of error of +/- 5.92%.
The results for satisfaction questions include a mean and standard deviation using a five point scale scoring system of Very satisfied = 5, Satisfied = 4, Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied = 3, Dissatisfied = 2, Very dissatisfied = 1. While there’s no hard and fast rule, a mean of above 4.50 is sometimes considered excellent, 4.00 to 4.49 is good, 3.50 to 3.99 is acceptable and below 3.50 is either poor or very poor if below 3.00. The satisfaction score tables also include a top box, the total of satisfied and very satisfied, and a bottom box, the total of dissatisfied and very dissatisfied, both in percentages. Please note that a small number of questions are on a four point scale.
Question changes since the last survey
None.
Actions taken following the last survey
For this meeting, we made the following changes, prompted by previous meeting survey feedback:
- More direct support for visa applications.
- Improved our email announcements with more information, better layout and fewer different messages.
- Maintained the later lunch hour.
Satisfaction
Overall satisfaction is 4.48, a very good result. With some key exceptions, the satisfaction scores remain high.
The table below shows the satisfaction scores for the last six meetings, along with colour coded indicators for the five point scale above: excellent (🔵), good (🟢), acceptable (🟡), poor (🔴), very poor (⚫️)
| IETF 124 Montreal | IETF 123 Madrid | IETF 122 Bangkok | IETF 121 Dublin | IETF 120 Vancouver | IETF 119 Brisbane | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall satisfaction | 4.48 🟢 | 4.52 🔵 | 4.49 🟢 | 4.30 🟢 | 4.37 🟢 | 4.24 🟢 |
| AGENDA | ||||||
| Overall agenda | 4.40 🟢 | 4.43 🟢 | 4.40 🟢 | 4.21 🟢 | 4.19 🟢 | 4.05 🟢 |
| Sessions for WGs | 4.41 🟢 | 4.39 🟢 | 4.46 🟢 | 4.42 🟢 | 4.29 🟢 | - |
| BOFs | 4.12 🟢 | 4.11 🟢 | 4.07 🟢 | 4.33 🟢 | 4.12 🟢 | - |
| Sessions for RGs | 4.24 🟢 | 4.21 🟢 | 4.22 🟢 | 4.22 🟢 | 4.20 🟢 | - |
| Plenary | 4.15 🟢 | 4.02 🟢 | 4.10 🟢 | 4.25 🟢 | 3.84 🟡 | - |
| Hackathon | 4.42 🟢 | 4.36 🟢 | 4.50 🔵 | 4.32 🟢 | 4.30 🟢 | - |
| HotRFC | 3.83 🟡 | 4.03 🟢 | 4.02 🟢 | 4.13 🟢 | 3.94 🟡 | - |
| Pecha Kucha | 4.17 🟢 | 4.39 🟢 | 4.20 🟢 | 4.08 🟢 | - | - |
| Office hours | 4.15 🟢 | 4.34 🟢 | 4.15 🟢 | 4.27 🟢 | 3.97 🟡 | - |
| Opportunities for social interaction | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| STRUCTURE | ||||||
| Overall meeting structure | 4.28 🟢 | 4.43 🟢 | 4.38 🟢 | 4.31 🟢 | 4.28 🟢 | 4.15 🟢 |
| Start time | 4.38 🟢 (9:30am) | 4.46 🟢 (9:30am) | 4.39 🟢 (9:30am) | 4.40 🟢 (9:30am) | 4.40 🟢 (9:30am) | - |
| Finish time Friday | 4.14 🟢 (4:30pm) | 4.14 🟢 (4:30pm) | 4.24 🟢 (4:30pm) | 3.63 🟡 (5pm) | 3.67 🟡 (5pm) | - |
| Lunch break timing | 4.04 🟢 (1:00pm) | 4.35 🟢 (1:00pm) | 3.95 🟡 (11:30am) | 3.91 🟡 (11:30am) | - | - |
| Length of day | 4.14 🟢 | 4.24 🟢 | 4.31 🟢 | 4.11 🟢 | 4.18 🟢 | - |
| Number of days | 4.25 🟢 (5+2) | 4.22 🟢 (5+2) | 4.33 🟢 (5+2) | 4.13 🟢 (5+2) | 4.15 🟢 (5+2) | - |
| Session lengths | 4.35 🟢 (60 / 90 / 120) | 4.45 🟢 (60 / 90 / 120) | 4.42 🟢 (60 / 90 / 120) | 4.36 🟢 (60 / 90 / 120) | 4.36 🟢 (60 / 90 / 120) | - |
| Break lengths | 4.33 🟢 (30 / 90) | 4.45 🟢 | 4.38 🟢 (30/90) | 4.31 🟢 (30/90) | 4.31 🟢 (30/90) | - |
| Number of parallel tracks | 4.05 🟢 (8) | 4.09 🟢 (8) | 4.09 🟢 (8) | 4.06 🟢 (8) | 3.94 🟡 (8) | - |
| CONFLICTS | ||||||
| Conflict avoidance | - | - | - | 4.05 🟢 | 3.93 🟡 | 3.88 🟡 |
| SIDE MEETINGS | ||||||
| Overall | 3.86 🟡 | 3.90 🟡 | 3.93 🟡 | 3.91 🟡 | 3.87 🟡 | 3.87 🟡 |
| Usefulness to you | 4.05 🟢 | 4.17 🟢 | 4.12 🟢 | - | - | |
| Usefulness to IETF | 4.03 🟢 | 4.18 🟢 | 4.07 🟢 | - | - | |
| Content | - | - | - | - | 3.50 🟡 | |
| Agenda conflicts | 3.22 🔴 | 3.29 🔴 | 3.31 🔴 | - | 3.33 🔴 | |
| Information | 3.34 🔴 | 3.45 🔴 | 3.48 🔴 | - | - | |
| Booking process | 3.66 🟡 | 3.75 🟡 | 3.76 🟡 | - | - | |
| Remote participation | 3.55 🟡 | 3.62 🟡 | 3.69 🟡 | - | 3.12 🔴 | |
| VENUE & ACCOMM | ||||||
| Venue overall | 4.42 🟢 | 4.37 🟢 | 4.38 🟢 | - | ||
| Options for accommodation | - | - | - | 3.71 🟡 | 3.68 🟡 | 4.10 🟢 |
| Cost of rooms | 3.42 🔴 | 4.16 🟢 | 3.69 🟡 | - | - | - |
| Proximity to other accommodation | 4.41 🟢 | 4.30 🟢 | 4.44 🟢 | - | - | - |
| Proximity to amenities | 4.46 🟢 | 4.26 🟢 | 4.51 🔵 | - | - | - |
| Hotel location | 4.53 🔵 | 4.17 🟢 | 4.14 🟢 | - | - | - |
| Layout of the venue | 4.42 🟢 | 3.96 🟡 | 4.17 🟢 | - | - | - |
| ONSITE | ||||||
| Overall | 4.35 🟢 | 4.37 🟢 | 4.47 🟢 | 4.19 🟢 | 4.44 🟢 | 4.37 🟢 |
| Badge collection | - | - | - | 4.65 🔵 | 4.73 🔵 | 4.71 🔵 |
| WiFi | 4.32 🟢 | 4.11 🟢 | 4.42 🟢 | 4.37 🟢 | 4.25 🟢 | 4.09 🟢 |
| Realtime transcripts | - | - | - | 4.08 🟢 | - | - |
| QR Codes | - | - | - | 4.17 🟢 | 4.31 🟢 | 4.31 🟢 |
| Break F&B | 3.99 🟡 | 4.16 🟢 | 4.70 🔵 | 2.88 ⚫️ | 4.15 🟢 | 3.75 🟡 |
| Breakout seating | 4.51 🔵 | 3.95 🟡 | 4.13 🟢 | 3.43 🔴 | 3.54 🟡 | 3.93 🟡 |
| Signage | 4.36 🟢 | 4.23 🟢 | 4.33 🟢 | 4.14 🟢 | 4.08 🟢 | 3.96 🟡 |
| Coffee carts | - | - | - | 4.31 🟢 | 4.65 🔵 | 4.08 🟢 |
| Childcare | - | - | - | 4.50 🔵 | 4.43 🟢 | 3.76 🟡 |
| Games night | 3.92 🟡 | 4.38 🟢 | 4.07 🟢 | 4.15 🟢 | - | - |
| Welcome reception | 4.07 🟢 | 4.22 🟢 | 4.33 🟢 | 4.05 🟢 | 4.01 🟢 | 3.97 🟡 |
| Farewell reception | 4.10 🟢 | 4.25 🟢 | 4.42 🟢 | 4.29 🟢 | 4.31 🟢 | 4.15 🟢 |
| REMOTE | ||||||
| Sound quality | - | - | 4.53 🔵 | - | - | |
| Video feed | - | - | 4.42 🟢 | - | - | |
| Audio and video | 4.36 🟢 | 4.33 🟢 | 4.48 🟢 | - | - | - |
| Onsite respect of remote | - | - | - | 4.47 🟢 | - | - |
| Queue management | - | - | - | 4.61 🔵 | - | - |
| Tool features | 4.35 🟢 | 4.36 🟢 | 4.43 🟢 | - | - | - |
| Remote support in sessions | 4.46 🟢 | 4.38 🟢 | 4.51 🔵 | - | - | - |
| Remote support generally | 4.27 🟢 | 4.24 🟢 | 4.48 🟢 | - | - | - |
Success stories
Overall
The overall satisfaction score for this meeting was very good, and fairly consistent with scores for IETF meetings in 2025. Survey results indicate that venue selection continues to have a significant impact on satisfaction, along with the improvements we make to each meeting.
Venue
The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth received high overall ratings, with positive feedback on its location, layout, and proximity to amenities. Room costs, however, were rated poorly, though affordable accommodations were available nearby.
Breakout seating
This venue had large common spaces with ample breakout seating, which was reflected in the positive feedback for the venue. Our ability to provide this level of breakout seating is restricted by the size of common spaces in venues, however we will continue to provide as much as possible.
Signage
Satisfaction scores for signage have continued to increase due to large agendas and floorplans being made available, more directional signage for events, and more thoughtful consideration of placement.
Issues that need addressing
Visa issues
Visa challenges once again prevented some participants from attending IETF 124 onsite, despite opening registration earlier, providing additional documentation, and directly intervening as needed. We understand how frustrating this was for those unable to attend in person. Visa processing timelines and outcomes are largely outside our control, however we are continuing to do everything we can on our side. We are working more closely with meeting locations, improving guidance and documentation, and strongly recommend participants to register and apply for visas as early as possible.
Audio issues in working groups
It was noted both during the week and in the survey results that there was audio bleed from the adjacent rooms during working group sessions which was disruptive. The meetings team will address this with onsite Audio Visual staff prior to meetings to determine how best to set rooms and audio equipment to avoid this issue, as well as conduct additional tests once working group rooms are set.
Food options and quality
Food and beverage satisfaction dropped to an acceptable rating for IETF 124, and scores for the Welcome and Farewell Receptions also trended lower. We take this feedback seriously and will continue working closely with venues to broaden menu options and better accommodate diverse preferences. For this meeting, we specifically increased vegetarian and vegan selections, which received positive feedback from participants. Available choices can still be limited by a venue’s capabilities, standard offerings, and pricing, so quality and variety will vary by location.
Side meetings
Feedback on side meetings continues to be largely negative, with recurring concerns about scheduling, remote participation, in-room setup, and meeting conflicts. Participants have also requested stronger management, use of Meetecho, and improved calendaring to give side meetings a more official structure.
Work continues to categorize side meetings more clearly so we can better understand their roles and needs. We are exploring alternative options to improve scheduling and calendaring, and will reach out to side-meeting organizers before the meeting week to share clearer information about room setup and logistics.
Lunch break timing
While the later lunch break was well-received at IETF 123 in Madrid, satisfaction scores for IETF 124 in Montreal dropped noticeably, but are still higher than with the previous lunch time at 11:30. We have taken note of this score and the accompanying feedback, and we will explore potential adjustments to lunch timing that better align with each meeting location. Lunch break timing is dependent on the number of session requests, the agenda, and various other factors.
Game Night and HotRFC
Both Game Night and HotRFC received noticeably lower scores compared to recent meetings. The reasons for this lower satisfaction are not yet clear, and we welcome any additional feedback to help us improve these events. Please submit your feedback to support@ietf.org.
Remote Participation
We received relatively few responses from remote participants. If you participate remotely, please respond to future surveys as your input is essential to helping us improve the remote experience.
And finally
Thank you everyone who responded to this survey, your feedback is much appreciated.