Two years after COVID-19 changed how conferences take place, the domain industry is gearing up for a return to normalcy.
Online conferences via Zoom and customized virtual meet-ups produced excitement at first, then fatigue kicked in.
With COVID-19 numbers apparently at safe levels around the world, the domain industry is getting ready to host real life meetings once again.
But is the timing right?
Frank Schilling – the good old days of NamesCon
This summer, expect not one, but two domain industry conferences: NamesCon Global 2022 in Austin, Texas, and Domain Name Summit in London.
The former needs no introduction; as the quintessential domain name conference since its launch in 2014, NamesCon (now NamesCon Global) will be hosted in Austin, Texas, between August 31st and September 3rd.
Meanwhile, newcomers Domain Name Summit London, is a new conference based in the UK. Not to be confused with NameSummit, the digital branding conference that took place in 2017, Domain Name Summit takes place in London, UK, between August 22nd and 23rd.
In its original incarnation, NamesCon took place in Las Vegas at the end of January, or the beginning of February. A month after the holiday season, the time was perfect for domain investors from the US and around the world to gather at a fun location.
Even TRAFFIC / East took place in October or November in Florida, when temperatures in other states were low, making it an ideal destination for a quick vacation.
Both of this year’s domain conferences take place in August, when many domain investors are taking personal or family time off and airlines are busy. It’d be great to have them off season when more people would participate.
That being said, don’t underestimate the domain industry’s craving for social, in-person activities.
