Here is my two cents. Gayle is absolute correct. Academic conference or not do not mean that individuals providing a service that add value to the conference (and it’s attendees) should not be compensated. This is called the “the cost of doing business” like a phone or facility. Consider this, the NFL, NCAA, NHL and PGA, who are all non-profits, pay their players to provide a service or for that matter all of the other fluff stuff, like performances during the half time show or speaking at press conferences, etc. Flip this to GHC, which BTW I’m involved on the margins; why would it not include this cost when making their budgets. After all, the cost for facility is included, the cost for staff is included, the cost for scholarships is included (getting women in the seats), the cost promotion and advertisement, ect. This is a small offering (a complimentary ticket) that recognizes the value that women in particularly add, since after all it is a “celebration of women in computing”. I applaud you Gayle on raising your voice and positioning yourself to speak and hopefully empower women.