Momentous Attends: DOMAINfest 2012

Today, January 31st, 2012, DOMAINfest goes live in Santa Monica, CA, and Momentous is there to join the discussion! As stated on the conference’s website: “DOMAINfest attracts internet entrepreneurs who are passionate about technology and winning” – how could we NOT attend, with a personalized invite like that?

Since 2006, DOMAINfest has been ‘dedicated to the success of the domain industry,’ and to the business leaders and participants driving it forward. Spanning three days, the conference brings together online stakeholders from around the world, “to share ideas on how to acquire, convert and monetize web traffic.” Not for the faint of heart (or attention span), DOMAINfest’s aggressive agenda maximizes the hours in each day, putting attendees through the paces with speaker sessions, exhibitors, domain auctions, networking, and – just to be sure we don’t learn TOO much – parties.

Of particular interest at the conference this year is the talk around the new generic top level domains (gTLDs), and what they mean for the industry as we know it. A panel of experts will tackle this topic, answering any questions the audience may raise as well. One slated question for the panel, asking whether consumers will “embrace the new gTLDs or be confused and remain loyal to old, familiar gTLDs” is sure to stir up a lively discussion, as it is in the minds of all online businesses.

The conference’s keynote speaker, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, will take the microphone on Thursday, to share “the inside scoop on the future of social media,” as well as the evolution of the online space in general. Stone’s thoughts on social media’s future will hopefully provide parallel insight on Twitter’s next move, but at the very least, the audience will walk away with the lessons learned by Stone and his team, as well as with Twitter’s birth story.

Representing Momentous at DOMAINfest are Momentous CEO Rob Hall, CEO of Pool.com Richard Schreier, and CEO of the Registrar Group Rob Villeneuve. While this is not their first rodeo (read: DOMAINfest), the year 2012 is a big one for the industry, and all are excited to be there. First timers Aimée Déziel and Jana Dybinski are also there in a marketing capacity, no doubt fest-pumping for domains, and enjoying hot weather to boot (while a freezing rain warning envelopes Ottawa).

Believe it or not, it was not the beach, sun or California dreamin’ that confirmed out attendance (though we won’t complain…). Just as in previous years, our attendance is guaranteed by the valuable information sharing and gathering of business leaders in the domain industry – we are looking forward to engage both over the course of the week.

Stay tuned for our takeaway lessons from the conference!