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NamesCon Online is free for first-timers

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Never been before? Conference will give you a free ticket.

Graphic from NamesCon line showing multiple people on a computer screen

NamesCon Online, the online edition of the popular NamesCon conference, is again inviting first-timers to attend its next event for free. Attendees who want to attend for free need to fill out this survey.

Regular tickets are $79, or $59 if you register before the end of November.

The in-person NamesCon event has attracted lots of newcomers in recent years, and this was also the case with the first online version held in September. About half of the people at that event had never attended NamesCon before.

The second virtual version of the event takes place January 27-29.

NamesCon opens registration for January virtual event

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Early bird tickets are now available for online event.

Graphic from NamesCon line showing multiple people on a computer screen

Registration is now open for NamesCon Online 2021.

The virtual event will take place January 27-29, 2021. This is about the same time that the in-person event was scheduled. Like many events, the raging pandemic has pushed the event online.

NamesCon held a virtual event in September that received generally high marks. Some of the benefits of virtual events vs. in-person events are that they are cheaper to attend, it’s easier to visit the sessions, and networking can be more fruitful.

Early bird registration through November 30 is $59, at which point the price will increase to $79.

NamesCon is also accepting session pitches for the event.

NamesCon delays in-person events but plans another virtual conference

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No travel necessary for next NamesCon event.

NamesCon organizers have decided that the regular annual conference slated for January 2021 will be a virtual event.

The event was scheduled to return to Austin for a second year. But ravel is unlikely to be easy by January with COVID-19 still raging around the globe.

Instead, NamesCon will hold the event online. Last month it held a virtual conference that received good reviews.

Virtual events are no substitute for in person events but do have some advantages.

NamesCon hopes to hold an in-person event in Budapest July 15-17, 2021. This year’s Budapest event was postponed due to COVID.

There will be an in-person event stateside in late 2021 if things get back to normal. NamesCon plans to host a live/virtual hybrid event sometime in the fall.

How to network at NamesCon Online

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Here’s how to (virtually) network at NamesCon Online.

Screenshot of networking during NamesCon

A networking session during NamesCon

Networking at virtual conferences is different than in-person conferences. Different, but not necessarily better or worse. Many people will find networking at virtual events easier, especially if they are new to the industry.

NamesCon Online features a networking room that has been very busy over the last couple of days. If you haven’t checked it out yet, stop by during the final day today.

Here’s how it works.

First, go to the “Networking Lounge” tab.

You will be asked to allow your browser to access your webcam and microphone. The NamesCon event app doesn’t allow you to pick which microphone and webcam you want to use if you have multiple connected to your computer. Chrome doesn’t have an easy way to change these, either, so you’ll need to set these on your operating system instead. I’ve been able to switch my microphone to my headset, but for your webcam, you’re probably best off using your laptop’s built-in camera.

Next, select an empty seat at one of the tables. You will then enter a group video conference, similar to Zoom.

Screenshot of networking tables at NamesCon online event

Pick a chair, any chair.

Each table has a countdown timer and the system will kick you out at the end of the allotted time.

Stop by and say hello to fellow domain investors.

Let’s talk about Sex (.com) at NamesCon

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Kieren McCarthy and I will discuss the fight for one of the world’s most valuable domain names.

Image of book cover for Sex.com book by Kieren McCarthy Many of you know that Sex .com sold for a (then record) $13 million in 2010.

That’s the boring part of the story.

Next month at NamesCon Online, I’ll interview journalist Kieren McCarthy about the fight for Sex .com before the record-breaking sale. A fight involving two men who would stop at nothing: Stephen Cohen, the man who stole the domain name and fled from justice. And Gray Kremen, an internet entrepreneur who had to go to ridiculous (and expensive) lengths to get the domain name back.

We will discuss:

  • How Cohen tricked the .com registry (Network Solutions at the time) into transferring the domain to him
  • What Cohen did to his mansion before handing the keys over to Kremen
  • How the two antagonized each other in late-night phone calls as they battled in court
  • If that gun battle in Mexico really happened

McCarthy’s book is a fantastic read for anyone who is interested in domain names and crime capers. You can buy a copy here. And join us next month for a lively talk.

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