ICANN goes virtual, INTA moves to the U.S.
There will be no cavorting with college students on the beach in Cancun next month for domain policy wonks after all.
ICANN, the organization that oversees domain names, has moved its March meeting planned for Cancun to the internet. The meeting will still happen but it will be virtual. All sessions will be held via remote participation.
Fears of spreading a coronavirus, Covid-19, led to the change.
There’s no concern of picking up the virus from locals in Mexico. But many people travel to the conference, including many people from China and surrounding areas.
In a separate announcement, International Trademark Association (INTA) announced that it is moving its April meeting planned for Singapore to a location in the United States.
Todd says
A virtual meeting seems like an excellent idea that could greatly cut costs at ICANN.
Currently, people who are not ICANN insiders or whose companies don’t pay their bills for them to attend, are excluded from participating due to the time and expense required to attend ICANN meetings held in far-flung locations around the world.
These non-insiders could then more easily participate in ICANN meetings as all travel, hotel, and other expenses would be eliminated.
it might even result in less lobbying and influence from industry insiders who wine and dine ICANN staff at these thrice-yearly meetings which are often held in exotic locations around the globe.