Big Changes in Store for NamesCon Global 2025 - The Show is Moving to Miami With a New U.S. Management Team

NamesCon Global is on the move and in more ways than one. After launching in 2014 with a six-year run in Las Vegas, the big show for domain industry investors, developers and service providers moved to Austin, Texas in 2020. After putting on four events in the Lone Star state's capital city, NamesCon producers announced today that they are moving to Miami, Florida for the 2025 conference. 

While the Austin events ran in late spring, NamesCon 2025 is shifting to November dates, November 5-6 to be specific. The venue will be a departure too. Instead of the usual set up in a major hotel, the conference

Image from Bigstock

will be held at the Ice Palace, a popular event center in downtown Miami (the name comes from the building's previous life as an ice plant). The Ice Palace is located in the heart of Miami's Art and Entertainment District, and is just a block north of the MacArthur Causeway that leads straight over to Miami Beach. Using an event center will require booking rooms at nearby hotels but NamesCon hasn't announced a hotel tie-in yet.

In another major development, NamesCon Global announced a new U.S. based management team that includes CEO Rebecca Sausner, VP of Sales & Partnerships Anthony Pombal and Marketing Manager Ollie McCullough.

NamesCon regulars will be happy to hear that one very familiar face from the NamesCon team will be in Miami too - Soeren von Varchmin (with a new title, Content Advisor) who will continue to play a key role in determining conference content and ensuring that the topics, speakers and support are of the same high quality we've seen in the past under his direction. 

NamesCon's arrival in Miami brings the the industry's conference history full circle. As detailed in our current Cover Story, the very first major domain conference, T.R.A.F.F.I.C. in October 2004, was held in the Miami metropolitan area at Delray Beach. Florida's Gold Coast, that stretches from Miami up to Palm Beach, has always been a hotbed for domain investors and many of the world's most successful ones remain based there. The area is also a thriving center for Web3 and AI enterprises that will no doubt get a lot of attention at the 2025 event. 

NamesCon Global's new dates will create an extraordinarily busy stretch of international meetings in 2025 that will present a scheduling conundrum for companies and individuals that aim to have a presence at every important industry event. ICANN's 2025 Annual Meeting will be held in Muscat, Oman October 25-30, 2025 and Domain Days Dubai (who just completed a very successful second show) has announced they plan to return in late October or early November next year. In that case NamesCon Global may cap a non-stop three-week run that will be a challenge for some to navigate. On the plus side, those who run the entire gauntlet are going to have a lot reward points in their airline accounts!

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Domain Industry Artists Included in New .ART Odyssey Book That Measures Success by Creativity, Resilience and Innovation

The .ART Registry has released of the second annual issue of its  .ART Odyssey publication: themed SUCCESS. This collectible edition dives deep into the concept of success, reimagined through the lens of creativity, resilience, and innovation in today’s art world. 

Going beyond the traditional definitions, SUCCESS explores how creativity serves as a catalyst for personal and collective growth. It features a diverse array of voices and stories that span the globe, delving into themes such as the healing powers of art, personal branding for artists, the role of AI in creative processes, and the future of innovation in the art industry. This edition also includes artists from the domain world (more on that in a moment).

Some of the highlights from the issue include:

- An insightful conversation with Refik Anadol (www.dataland.art), a pioneer in AI-driven art, exploring the integration of AI into creative practices.

- Rising art star Alex Righetto (www.alexrighetto.art) sharing his journey and how personal branding has become a key to his success.

- Medina Kasimova’s (www.medina.art) touching story about how art has played a crucial role in her personal healing journey.

- A deep dive into Mondoir's (www.mondoir.art) contributions to digital art and innovation, offering new pathways for artists and collectors alike.

- AfriKin Art Fair (www.afrikin.art), a case study in how art can foster community and transcultural dialogues.

- An op-ed exploring the legacy artists leave behind and how they can shape their long-term impact.

The book is divided into 13 chapters with one devoted to Art & Artists Inside the Domain Industry. It features Nikko Subramanian (Senior Product Manager, Go Daddy India), Vinita Srivastava (Director, Strategic Partnerships at .ORG), Jeff Sass (CMO of .ART Domains, commenting on Art, DNA and Career) and I make an appearance as well. However, my role was to write an introduction to the best artist in our house, my wife Diana Jackson, whose skill as an oil painter is highlighted in this chapter. 

Two of the four artworks by Diana Jackson featured in the .ART Odyssey book.

The new issue also provides rich insights from and for artists, collectors, and cultural pioneers, serving as a comprehensive guide for anyone passionate about the intersection of art, technology, and personal development.

Founder of .ART Registry, Ulvi Kasimov, shares: ”We are deeply thankful to the contributors whose stories showcase the healing power of art and its synergy with technology. This issue reflects .ART's mission to explore these intersections, inspiring new ways to think about success and its impact on the global creative community” 

This impressive publication, available in both trade paperback and Kindle editions at Amazon, is part of .ART's  mission to support and inspire the global creative community. Proceeds from the sale of this issue support The Art Therapy Initiative, reinforcing .ART’s ongoing commitment to promote art as a tool for healing and community well-being.

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Domain Days Dubai Founder Munir Badr Reflects on Enthusiastic Industry Reaction to 2nd Annual Event 

It has been a very busy month for Domain Days Dubai Founder Munir Badr. It began with hectic final preparations for the 2024 conference that played out to rave reviews when it was staged November 5 & 6 at the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah. As soon as the show ended, before he even had time to reflect on how everything had gone, Munir had to head off to Istanbul for the ICANN meeting that ended there Thursday (November 14). Now that things have finally calmed down, Munir shared his thoughts on the groundbreaking event that has given the Middle East and Africa region a well deserved turn in the industry spotlight.

"Honestly, I don’t know where to begin!", Munir said. "I dedicated over five months of my life again to create an even better experience for what  

Domain Days Dubai Founder Munir Badr welcoming
guests to the 2024 edition of DDD November 5th.

was already a highly regarded event last year, and I think I succeeded! This all happened alongside a very productive year at my main business, AEserver.com, plus balancing countless other things. But now, none of that matters because the outcome was simply EPIC and phenomenal!"

"We secured our most valuable sponsorships early in the summer, and ticket sales remained strong. We had 272 registered attendees, with an impressive 92% showing up and collecting their badges—the same turnout rate as last year. I was thrilled to see industry leaders, including some who rarely attend events, make it to Dubai this time. Social media was buzzing during and even after the event," Munir noted. 

"This year, we introduced exhibition booths for the first time, adding tremendous value for our sponsors and expanding our event space. Over 50% of attendees stayed at the venue hotel, and many last-minute participants struggled to find rooms as the hotel was nearly sold out. This underscored the importance of staying updated and heeding our “almost sold out” warnings! Interestingly, even those who were hesitant or decided last minute still made it, showing that FOMO was real," Munir added.

"In my opening speech, I referred to Domain Days Dubai as a "social experience" rather than a traditional "conference" or "event." I think this captures the essence of our vision—a modern, dynamic gathering. Over two action-packed days, we had a purposefully intense agenda, with panels and keynotes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks, a beachside dinner, and the VIP yacht after-party, which hosted 180+ people! Interestingly, most attendees opted for VIP tickets, making me wonder if there’s even a need for standard tickets next time. Plus we had the public attendee list for all ticket holders for ease of networking and our new super tool - a WhatsApp group for the event - let's see other events copy this now," Munir smiled.

View from the bow of the Desert Rose during the VIP Yacht Party at DDD 2024

"In summary, we had 272 registered attendees, 92% attendance, over 40 speakers—including new participants from Dubai’s government and the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), which showcases our strong public-private partnership—and more than 30 sponsors, with every sponsorship slot filled. The feedback has been fantastic. This year, we also saw significant engagement from Africa, reflecting our broader MEA (Middle East & Africa) focus, thanks to all our amazing speakers who made it from Kenya & South Africa. Key players from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and many other countries attended and valued the opportunity to connect with partners they’d only met online. It was a win-win for everyone involved. Also I am proud to say we had 50% of returning sponsors from 2023 which means they really benefited and see the need to be present in this region," Munir said.

In closing he noted, "People are already asking about next year’s event, and we’re looking at the same time frame, late October to early November - so pretty much the same dates. It’s hard to stop when there’s so much demand for more! The event was cash-flow positive just like last year, with a higher & solid margin, so I’m thrilled that my investment of time and resources has been rewarded with a great return." 

From the reaction of attendees it also seems clear they were thrilled with what they received from being at Domain Days Dubai 2024 as well. The 2025 edition will be here before you know it, so it's not to early to start thinking about it now.

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Mystery of  UFO Seen Over Dubai During 2024 Domain Days Conference Solved - Mark This One Up to Sedo!

Mark "Mr. Premium" Ghoriafi (who we profiled in an October 2023 article) made an immediate impression on me the first time we met 10 years ago. He had just entered the domain business with .CLUB and showed a fearless flair for creative marketing (if you have been around the industry for awhile you likely caught him dressed as .CLUB's Superman, cape and all, at major conferences). As we noted in our story last year, Mark's promotional pizazz came to the fore years earlier when he traveled the pro wrestling circuit with sports entertainment giant WWE, also in the role of a superhero. 

I was starting to believe Mark could actually fly and after his latest stunt, this time in his current role as a Premium Broker with Sedo, I'm sure of it! If you follow our sales charts, you know Mark's transactions frequently soar to the top (his $500,000 sale of Bagels.com earlier this year being a prime example). The thing that confirmed my suspicion that he could defy gravity, happened at the recently concluded 2024 Domain Days Dubai conference. Mark was there to represent Sedo as a featured speaker but, as usual, he had an even bigger 

Mark Ghoriafi
Sedo Premium Broker  

idea in mind - one meant to show everyone in Dubai and around the world just how far he and his company are willing to go bring attention to premium domains people want to sell or acquire. At this point - words no longer suffice, so I'll just let you see it for yourself! 

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Editor's note: Our complete review of the Domain Days Dubai 2024 conference has now been published in a Home Page Feature Story. Read it here - The Definitive Domain Days Dubai 2024 Review - An Hour By Hour Look at How Organizers Dazzled Attendees From Around the World 

Domain Days Dubai 2024 Wraps Up an  Energizing Two Day Run - Here Are Some Early Highlights from the Big Event

As I write this at 2pm Wednesday, November 6, the 2024 Domain Days Dubai (DDD) conference was entering the final minutes of a VIP evening Yacht Cruise that brought the curtain down on the second annual event at the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah (it is 9 hours later in Dubai than here). 

Founder Munir Badr (also the Founder of AEServer.com),  created DDD to serve domain investors, registrars, registries, monetization & traffic companies, Web 3 domains, hosting & cloud providers, SaaS, and industry enthusiasts based in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region. However, players in those fields from around the world were also immediately attracted to the event to make connections in that rapidly growing market.

The inaugural edition last year drew raves reviews, resulting in huge jumps in both attendance and sponsorships this year. While the two-day 2024 event is just winding up it is already being praised in social media posts by attendees. 

We selected a few photos from those to give you an early inside look at some of the activity at DDD. We will soon be getting professional photos from the event and will be putting together a comprehensive review of Domain Days Dubai 2024 that we expect to publish early next week.

 

Above: After Munir Badr and conference moderator James Williams (MrConnectivity) welcomed the crowd Tuesday morning, Nov. 5, 2024, Dr. Marwan Alzarouni (CEO, Al Dubai Dept. of Economy & Tourism & CEO, Dubai Blockchain Center) delivered the Official Keynote address. Dr. Alzarouni discussed Digital Dubai, AI & Cyber Security in Dubai. (Photo credit: Domain Days Dubai 

Below: Ten business sessions followed Tuesday including Champions of DNS: Women Pioneers and Innovators that was one of the highlights from the morning sessions. It featured (left to fight) Moderator Tess Diaz (.it.com), Kamila Sekiewicz (Internet Commerce Association), Selina Bieber (GoDaddy Corporate Domains) and Natalija Japerte (it.com Domains). (Photo credit: Natalija Japerte) 

Above: The busy slate of sessions after lunch Tuesday included Aftermarket Insights: Real Data & Statistics from MEA and Beyond. The panelists (left to right) were: Braden Pollock, at podium, (LegalBrandMarketing.com) Adel alTerkait (Domain Name Investor, DALLAL.com), Ayoub Kehel ( Founder, ArabDomainAcademy.com), Monte Cahn (President, RightOfTheDot.com) and Giuseppe Graziano (GGRG.com).
 
Below: All of the sessions drew a crowd at DDD 2024. (Photo credits above and below: Helmiuts Meskonis/DNFourm.com)

Above: Also on opening day Tuesday afternoon, Sedo Premium Broker Mark Ghorafi (left) and Sedo Senior Broker Dave Evanson (center), with Moderator James Williams, provided advice on Navigating Tough Cross-Border Negotiations: Buyers, Sellers and Their Differences.
(Photo Credit: Mark Ghoriafi)

Above: InterNetX CEO Elias Rendon Benger (left) meets with Munir Badr just before Elias took the stage for the session show below that closed the opening day business schedule.  This look at Future Horizons: AI, Web3 and New Domains featured (left to right): Fred Hsu (CEO, D3), Darpan Munjal (Founder & CEO, Atom.com), Elias Rendon Benger and Dr. Kimberly Darwin (Senior Corporate Services Executive, 101Domain.com). (Photo Credits: Above & Below - InterNetX)

Above: Since the closing day two at Domain Days Dubai just concluded, few photos have been posted online about the Wednesday activities yet, but Sandy Carter, the COO at Unstoppable Domains, did put up this shot from the first major online domain auction staged in the Middle East. DDD teamed up with Monte Cahn's RightOfTheDot.com to conduct the sale. The auction will actually be continuing for another week so you may still find something you like in the listings. 

While Domain Days Dubai was about business, there was also plenty of fun thrown into the mix.  These gentlemen were obviously enjoying themselves! Left to right are Ryan McKegney (DomainAgents.com), Alpesh Shinde (GoDaddy) Leo Golan, Deepak Daftari, Nikul Sanghvi and another friend. (Photo Credit: GoDaddy).

Much more to come on Domain Days Dubai 2024. Keep an eye out for our full conference review early next week.

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Global Domain Registrations Rose By 3 Million Since Last Year But  New Verisign Report Shows .Com and .Net Down, ccTLDs and Non .Com gTLDs Up

 VeriSign, (the administrator of the .com and .net TLDs) has released their latest quarterly Domain Name Industry Brief (DNIB) covering the 3rd quarter of 2024. This update showed that the total number of domain registrations across all TLDs worldwide ended the most recent quarter at 362.3 million. That is a slight tick down from 362.4 million at the end of the previous quarter but 3 million domains higher than the number at the same point a year earlier, representing a 0.8% year-over-year increase.

.Com remains, by far, the dominant TLD on the Internet but .com's total number of registrations continued a recent trend of slipping from the previous year. With 156.7 million domains at the end of 3Q-2024, .com was down about 4.1 million from the same point in 2023, a 2.5% decline. .Net has continued to tread water each year but wound up with a slight decrease year over year after shedding about 100,000 domains to come in at 12.9 million at the end of 3Q-2024. 

ccTLDs finished the latest quarter with 140.1 million registrations, 2 million more than a year ago, representing a 1.4% increase YOY. New gTLDs enjoyed the largest jump but, being newer, they are of working from a much smaller user base than the .coms and ccTLDs. Still, by adding 5.2 million domains the new Gs hit 35.4 million domains at the end of 3Q-2024, giving them an impressive 17.4% increase year over year. 

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All Systems Go for Sold Out 2nd Annual Edition of Domain Days Dubai - Rapidly Growing Event Will Include Middle  East's 1st Major Online Domain Auction

Domain Days Dubai (DDD) made a great first impression when conference founder Munir Badr and his team launched the event in November 2023. So much so that sponsorships and demand for tickets for the second edition of the event, coming up November 5 & 6, 2024 at the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, exploded. Though seating was expanded, tickets still sold out over a week ago and sponsorship participation has doubled. Munir said more than 40 sponsors are backing the show this year. The list we saw included it.com Domains, AEserver, Sedo, RightOfTheDot™, .One Registry, Above.com, InterNetX, Atom, Unstoppable Domains, the ICA, Radix (.store), DN.com and ICANN to name just a few.

It is also interesting to note that attendees and sponsors are coming from all over the world even though Domain Days Dubai was created to focus primarily on Domain Investors, Registrars, Registries, Monetization & Traffic, Web 3 Domains, Hosting & Cloud Providers, SaaS, and Industry Enthusiasts in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region. The fact that so many want to interact with participants in that region is a testament to the tremendous opportunities for growth there.

Another unmistakable sign that everyone is getting on board for Domain Days Dubai is a new partnership the show has with  RightOfTheDot.com (ROTD) to present the first-ever major domain and digital asset auction in the Middle East. The auction will be entirely online and timed, making proxy bidding essential for those in different time zones. The auction will start with a curated selection of premium domain names and Web3 assets that will end on the closing day of the conference, November 6. Bidding is open now with lots closing on the 6th from 12:15–1:15PM Dubai Time (3:15–4:15AM U.S. EST, 12:15–1:15AM U.S. PST). Additional names will close the over the following the week.

ROTD's Scott Pruitt told us, "We’re featuring some premium .AE domains and other Middle Eastern-themed names in this auction, making it truly unique. You can register for the auction and start bidding here, and download the catalog here."  

Munir Badr
Domain Days Dubai Founder

This year's list of speakers is loaded with industry visionaries and thought leaders who will share their insights and expertise across a range of digital topics. Among those featured on the jam-packed agenda will be Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, Keynote Speaker and CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center; Sandy Carter, CEO of Unstoppable Domains; Monte Cahn, President of RightOfTheDot™; Selina Bieber, VP of International Markets at GoDaddy; Mark Ghoriafi, Founder of MrPremium.com & Broker at Sedo.com; Joe Alagna, CSO at it.com Domains; and Braden Pollock, a prominent domain name and angel investor and entrepreneur.

Last year's most popular social event and its grand finale, the VIP Yacht Party, will also return under the sponsorship of it.com Domains and Nova Registry (.link). The 144-foot Desert Rose mega yacht will leave the dock at 7pm November 6. 

This exclusive event is reserved for VIP badge holders, including sponsors, partners and top industry executives. The cruise, with Dubai's stunning skyline as a backdrop, will be a special opportunity to unwind with colleagues, make ir strengthen connections and forge deeper relationships that will be invaluable long after you leave Dubai. For more information on Domains Day Dubai visit the conference website here.

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Now For Something Completely Different - Domain Star Jen Sale's "Ten With Jen" on YouTube 

It seems like just about every well-known figure in the domain industry has their own blog, podcast or or social media platform. One thing they have all had in common is a singular focus on domains. Duh, right? Well, there is one exception now - all-star broker and Evergreen.com CEO Jen Sale's refreshing new Ten With Jen video podcast series on YouTube. It's domain people but without the domain part!

The vivacious Australian has been a key mover and shaker in the domain business for close to 15 years now. In addition to handling domain sales that total well into nine figures, Jen played an instrumental role in creating the thriving group for industry women now known as Women of the Web. It all started when Jen invited a small group of women to meet in her hotel room. WOW has since exploded into an essential organization that meets at the annual NamesCon conference where Jen's fellow WOW members honored her in June. 

Jen's interests range far beyond the domain world though - just one example being her co-founding of GoodJourneying.com, a site centered on transformative wellness experiences, health plans, digital well being, boutique retreats, seminars and workshops. She is also a devoted traveler who takes delight in learning everything she can about the people she meets in far flung places.

So, Jen had a natural desire to learn more about her many friends in the domain world as well as a variety of 

Jen Sale behind the microphone 
during a recent episode of Ten With Jen.

tech insiders, business leaders and fascinating folks from all walks of life. Ten With Jen is allowing her to do that and, with domain people serving as her first subjects, allowing us to tune in and learn some things we didn't know about our colleagues. Her fun-focused approach, boundless curiosity and unexpected line of questions, coupled with the brisk 10 minutes (or so) format, makes Ten With Jen is a tasty treat that even the busiest people can make time for (however, be forewarned, the episodes are like eating potato chips, you may find you can't watch just one). 

So far, Jen has charmed these people into taking a place on the hot (or at least lukewarm) seat: 

Jonathan (JT) Tenenbaum (DomainSherpa.com, Media Options COO & General Counsel)

Braden Pollock (LegalBrandMarketing.com)

Kamila Sekiewicz (ICA Executive Director)

Shane Cultra (DomainShane.com, DSAD.com, Founder/CEO of Beehouse Labs)

Josh Reason (Domain Name & Brand Expert, Josh.co)

Ron Jackson (Editor & Publisher, DNJournal.com)

Leanne McMahon (Founder, Crunch.id, EU Design Studio)

Above: Ron Jackson (DNJournal) ponders a question from Jen Sale during a recent episode of Ten With Jen. I was under the impression that none of the questions would require actual thought! However, even the ones that seemed easy on the surface forced you to stop and think a little (I hate it when that happens)! True to her word though, Jen made the whole exercise a ton of fun. I'm not sure domains even came up in the conversation but we did talk about Muhammad Ali, James Brown, Rod Stewart, what makes a marriage last, my days in the military (no one tried to invade the United States during my tour of duty, something I take full credit for!), and we even addressed some pressing issues like "is ham and pineapple acceptable on a pizza!" If that doesn't make you want to watch then I don't know what will!

If you don't want to miss an episode (and you shouldn't) you can make it easy on yourself by subscribing to the free Ten With Jen channel at YouTube. We wish our long-time friend all the best with her new clever endeavor!

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.ART Announces Winner of 2024 Digital Innovation in Art Award & Free International .ARTist Day Online Conference October 25th

It has been a busy week for the .ART domain registry. On Tuesday (October 15), .ART, in collaboration with GP Bullhound Allstars, announced that  ArtCentrica has been
awarded the prestigious Digital
Innovation in Art Award 2024. This year's award celebrates the
groundbreaking advancements at the intersection of technology and art, recognizing the profound contributions of ArtCentrica to the EdTech sector.

Based in Florence, Italy,  ArtCentrica is an innovative startup spin-off from Centrica, specializing in the development of an application that offers an engaging and interactive educational platform for art students and teachers. The platform provides access to over 8,000 high resolution artworks, revolutionizing the learning experience with tools that allow for deep exploration and analysis of masterpieces. ArtCentrica’s unique blend of digital technology, combined with their educational expertise, is transforming art education globally.

ArtCentrica Co-Founder and CEO Marco Capellini said, "We are incredibly happy for this award! It is a recognition that ArtCentrica is at the forefront of digital innovation in the art industry, intertwined with the education sector, by addressing critical gaps in contemporary education through the integration of art by means of proprietary technologies and AI. .ART Registry Founder Ulvi Kasimov added, "We are incredibly proud to honor ArtCentrica for its commitment to bridging art and technology. Their innovation not only enhances art education but also exemplifies how technology can open new avenues for creative engagement." 

.ART wrapped up their busy week by announcing by announcing an interesting conference that will be held on Friday, October 25. In honor of International Artist Day, .ART Registry will host the International .ARTist Day Conference, a free, online event that will bring together some of the most innovative and inspiring voices in the global arts community. Since December 2023, .ART has been organizing “Meet the .ARTists” webinars, featuring discussions on topics such as artist residencies, art therapy, women in the arts, and more. This upcoming conference marks a special occasion to deepen the conversation and celebrate artists and their creativity.

The online conference will begin at 11AM ET/5PM CET on  October 25th and you can register to attend for free . The event will be streamed live, making it accessible to art enthusiasts, professionals, and the public worldwide. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with a diverse group of speakers whose work bridges the artistic and public spheres. The live stream will include the opportunity for viewers to ask questions of the speakers shown in the photo below. You can get more information about each of them here. 

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Helmuts Meskonis Acquires ConsultDomain.de For His Expanding Portfolio of International Domain Name Forums

Serial entrepreneur Helmuts Meskonis, the Founder of No Stress Limited (the UK-based parent company of HostMaria.com and London's Domain Summit conference), expanded his Internet holdings by purchasing long established domain forums DNForum.com and AcornDomains.co.uk last year. A key reason Meskonis wanted the forums was to help promote his rapidly growing Domain Summit that just finished another successful run in August. He obviously likes what he saw in the forum space because he just acquired another one, ConsultDomain.de, once an iconic German online community but one that has been dormant for several years now.

With the explosion of industry blogs, podcasts and news sites in recent years, ConsultDomain lost ground in what became a very tough battle for eyeballs. Still, Meskonis believes he can reinvent the site, a belief that led him to spend most of the past year trying to buy the forum and finally succeeding at an undisclosed price. Helmuts noted, "For those unfamiliar with it, ConsultDomain.de has a storied history, originally launched in the early 2000s. The forum was powered by vBulletin before its closure in 2019, boasting impressive statistics: 68,631 topics, 378,408 posts, and a community of 7,087 users at its peak. Its legacy as one of the oldest domain investing forums in the world cannot be overstated, second only to DNForum, which also debuted in 2001."

Helmuts Meskonis

Helmuts said, "We plan to revive the forum by migrating it from vBulletin to Xenforo, a top-tier forum engine alongside Invision. This transition aims to modernize the platform and enhance functionality and user experience for its community."

Above: A screenshot from ConsultDomain.de 

Helmuts shared some interesting background on what it took to finalize a deal for the forum. "The successful negotiation was significantly aided by industry veteran Frederick "Freddy" Schiwek," Meskonis said. " Freddy's extensive experience, including the recent sale of LuxHosting, Hosting.co.uk and MonsterHost to World Host Group, has made him a valuable ally in my quest. His background in domain management and sales provided essential advice and support throughout the acquisition process."

Above: Helmuts Meskonis (far left) and Freddy Schiwek (3rd from left) on a visit
 to the Certum booth at Cloudfest 2024 last March in Rust, Germany.

To secure funding for the forum's revival, Helmuts frequently traveled over the past year in search of potential advertisers for ConsultDomain, contacting many German and global domain name industry companies. His efforts paid off when he gained financial backing from Andrei Insarov, founder of it.com Domains, who recognized Helmuts' passion for restoring the forum and and its place as a vibrant community for the one of the industry's most important regions.

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DomainEasy Launches an Ambitious Platform That Offers a New Option for Fans of Departing DAN.com 

With GoDaddy acquiring innovative domain sales platform DAN.com and merging it into their own Afternic.com, buyers and sellers saw one of their favorite venues go away, however new options are already starting to surface. One of the most promising among those, DomainEasy.com, has just launched. Founded by industry veteran Sam Dennis, DomainEasy will draw immediate attention with their 0% commission rate for sellers but that is just part of a comprehensive suite of features and services the start-up is offering.

DomainEasy was built to serve sellers, buyers and brokers in one convenient location. When asked what will make DomainEasy a better choice than other options, we received a breakdown on what that they are offering to each of those users groups, as shown below:

Sellers: 
With 0% commission on direct sales (only processing fees apply), you get to keep more of your profits. DomainEasy also provides flexibility in pricing models, allowing sellers to set fixed prices or offer Lease to Own options, giving buyers the ability to pay over time.

Our Inbound Lead Management System simplifies how you handle potential buyers. With customizable templates for inquiries and the ability to respond via email, you can quickly engage leads without spending extra time. Plus, our AI 

DomainEasy Founder Sam Dennis

powered lead scoring helps you focus on the most promising opportunities. For sellers managing large portfolios, our bulk upload and domain management tools take the hassle out of organizing and maintaining your inventory. You can also assign brokers for additional help, giving you full control and flexibility over how you sell your domains.

Screenshot from seller options. Click image to see larger version.

Buyers:
At DomainEasy, we provide a seamless buying experience designed to give you flexibility and peace of mind. Whether you're ready to purchase a domain instantly with our Buy It Now option, or prefer to spread out payments through Lease to Own, we’ve got you covered. You can also negotiate directly with sellers through our Make an Offer feature to explore potential deals. We prioritize secure transactions, offering payment options through major credit cards, wire transfers, and trusted escrow services like Escrow.com. With zero commission fees for buyers, the price you see is the price you pay. Our Guided Checkout and Transfer service ensures that your purchase is handled by domain experts from start to finish, guaranteeing a smooth transaction and timely transfer of your new domain. DomainEasy takes the stress out of acquiring your next domain by making the entire process simple and secure.

Brokers:
DomainEasy is designed to give brokers full control over their business. Whether you are building your brokerage or managing multiple sellers, we make it easy to offer valuable services to clients and close deals faster. Brokers can set custom commission rates to attract new business, ensuring competitive pricing while staying profitable. With direct communication with both sellers and buyers, brokers can efficiently negotiate and close deals. Our platform takes care of the tech, allowing brokers to focus on growing their business. DomainEasy supports full team collaboration for brokerages, enabling your entire team to manage domains, track leads, quotes, and offers, all from one place. With tools to track offers and manage inbound leads, brokers can ensure they are providing value to sellers while expediting sales, increasing earnings, and building trust with their clients. 

Having been given a pre-launch tour of the DomainEasy website I can tell you I was impressed with the interface and how easy it is to accomplish the various tasks you want to get done, regardless of your role in the domain aftermarket. With the site now live, you can check it out for yourself and see how it works for you. In this Beta stage, I'm sure that Sam and his team would also love to hear any feedback you might have on how anything could be improved and suggestions on other features you would like to see.   

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2nd Edition of Domain Days Dubai Ready to Go with 2024 Show On Track to Surpass Successful Debut 

The inaugural edition of Domain Days Dubai (DDD), an ambitious new conference designed to serve the growing MENA region, drew rave reviews last year. While DDD has a focus on MENA, the 2023 event attracted attendees from all over the world as professionals from other regions came, eager to learn more about the opportunities that are open to all in the MENA area. The only difference this year is there will be even more attendees (as well as speakers and sponsors) when the 2024 event runs November 5 and 6 at the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

With just 35 days to go before the show, DDD Founder Munir Badir told us, "We already have around 185 attendees registered and 40

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Radix Scores Twin Wins for Namify AI and .Tech with #1 Product of the Day Honor from Product Hunt 

Radix has found another new way to increase awareness for their innovative services and top level domains. Radix, the administrator of ten TLDs (including .tech, .store, .site and .online to name a few) also operates multiple cutting edge services like Namify AI (based at Namify.tech). Namify AI is an upgraded AI-powered version of the well established business name generator that solves one of the biggest challenges faced by domain buyers, small business owners, solopreneurs and startups. That  is finding a meaningful name with an available domain, social media username and trademark.

In the past, that time consuming process has required extensive research across multiple websites. Namify AI addresses the issue with this new version of the comprehensive name generator that makes it possible to find the perfect brand name quickly and efficiently. Radix was confident enough in the product to submit it to Product Hunt where Namify AI immediately won over the huge PH audience, being voted #1 Product of the Day and #3 for the week.

That is a big deal because over 5 million people visit Product Hunt every month and if a product is upvoted into the PH Top 10, it also gets featured in a mailout to over half a million dedicated PH subscribers. That is no easy task because every product is competing against a wide variety of cutting edge products and services that come from every corner of the tech world - not just one category from that huge universe.

Product Hunt was founded in 2013 and took off so quickly that AngelList stepped in to acquire the company for $20 million just three years later. For Radix, the Product Hunt win meant a huge boost in recognition of Namify AI's capabilities as well as for the Radix TLD where the company makes its home - .tech.

Namify AI's infobox at Product Hunt

To drill down a bit further, Namify AI leverages the power of AI to suggest brand names highly tailored to very specific products or business ideas. It allows users to fine-tune suggestions based on their brand’s style and tone and target audience. Additionally, users can include must-have keywords across all suggestions. Namify AI supports eight languages, checks domain name availability, verifies social media username availability, and offers a free custom logo.  

Product Hunt user and Growth Marketer/Digital Entrepreneur Ali Mirza commented on the upgraded version of Namify AI, noting, “I have been using Namify for the last couple of years and I am a huge fan. The business names are unique and memorable. Also, the trademark check feature is amazing. I don't need to hire a lawyer to do the initial research.”

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.ART Announces Finalists for 2024 Digital Innovation in Art Award and Two Special Mention Honorees

The .ART Registry, in
collaboration with GP Bullhound
Allstars, has unveiled the finalists
for the prestigious Digital Innovation in Art Award 2024 (DIIA). This year's
finalists represent the forefront of
innovation, creativity, and technology
in the art world, with projects that push boundaries and redefine the possibilities of digital art. Many in the UK and Europe view the GP Bullhound Allstars awards as a tech world version of the "Oscars," so sponsoring the DIIA is a natural fit for .ART. 

The finalists were chosen after a rigorous evaluation by a nine-member independent jury that provided expertise in museum leadership, Web3 technology, domain industry insight and international curatorial acumen. For the second consecutive year Paul Nicks, GoDaddy Vice President for Domain Investors, represented our industry on the jury. When their work was done, the jury had winnowed an extraordinary semi-final field down to these six finalists:

  
- ArtCentrica (Italy): Revolutionizing art education with an online platform that offers interactive
tools and access to over 8,000 high-resolution artworks, fostering immersive learning
experiences. 

- Ask Mona (France): Enhancing art experiences with AI-powered chatbots that engage and
inform museum visitors, with plans to expand into educational sectors. 

- Barnes Foundation (USA): Innovating in art education and engagement by utilizing digital tools
to provide interactive and immersive experiences for their diverse audience. 

- Guru Experience (USA): Developing immersive art experiences using virtual reality and other
digital technologies, creating engaging and interactive art exhibitions. 

- SuprSketch Corp (USA): A subscription-based platform with live digital canvases that allows
artists to share their creative processes and engage with their communities in real-time.

- Sureel (USA): Offering AI tools that ensure fair attribution for creators in AI-generated content, supporting various digital forms and enabling creators to control their participation.

In addition to the finalists, the .ART Registry also introduced two Special Mentions for the
first time, recognizing exceptional originality and artistic contribution. Those went to:

Special Mentiion - Originality: Beambike (Germany): Commended for its innovative approach to sustainability by integrating technology with traditional art forms to promote environmental
awareness. 

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Nominations Now Open for ICA's 2025 Lonnie Borck Memorial Award and Their New Trailblazer Award

The Internet Commerce Association (ICA), the non-profit organization that fights for domain owner's rights, is now accepting nominations for the ICA's 8th annual Lonnie Borck Memorial Award (LBMA). The prestigious award was first presented in 2017 in memory of the late universally loved domain advocate Lonnie Borck. 

In the LBMA's first three years its recipients were chosen based on their "exceptional efforts in championing the rights of domain name registrants" and went to industry leaders from the legal arena. Starting with the 2020 award, the criteria was broadened to include every corner of the domain industry with the guiding principal being to recognize a person who has made "extraordinary contributions toward fostering a sense of community within the domain name industry." 

Everyone in the industry (whether they are an ICA member or not) is welcome to submit a nomination for the 2025 Lonnie Borck Award that will be presented at the ICA's next Annual Meeting that will be held January 26-28, 2025 at Resorts World in Las Vegas. Nominations will remain open through the end of October. The ICA Board will then review and approve nominees with ICA members then voting to select the winner. 

The previous winners of the Lonnie Borck Memorial Award were:

Lonnie Borck

*The first six Lonnie Borck Awards were presented at the annual Namefest Global conference but, after the ICA established their own stand alone annual meeting for members, they moved presentation of what would have been the 2023 award to their annual January event this year. That prompted a label change to 2024 to match the presentation date.

As they have done with the Lonnie Borck Memorial Award, the ICA invites you to help determine the winner of the first ICA Trailblazer Award  by nominating those companies or individuals that you believe are deserving of the award. Nominations are open to the entire industry and both companies and individuals are welcome to nominate themselves if they feel their contributions are worthy of recognition. Nominations will remain open until October 31st.

Once the nominations are in, the ICA board will review and approve the nominations with the winner of the ICA Trailblazer Award then selected in ICA member voting. The inaugural award will be presented at the January 2025 ICA Annual Member Meeting in Las Vegas during an awards ceremony that will also reveal the winner of the Lonnie Borck Memorial Award.

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Radix Reports Best Half-Year of Premium Domain Revenue to Date with Sales Topping $5 Million

Radix has released their latest semi-annual report on the registry operator's premium domain sales results across the 10 TLDs they administer. Their H1-2024 Premiums Report (.pdf file) details how Radix generated $5.16 million in Total Premium Retail Revenue - the best 6-month cycle they have had to date. 

That number includes $3.83 million in Premium Retail Renewal Revenue. It also represents a 12% jump above the same period in 2023. .Tech was Radix's highest grossing TLD with $1.58 million in total revenue. The chart below tracks Radix's uninterrupted growth in premium revenue over the past four years,

The chart below zeros in on revenue from new premium registrations alone, with .tech again the leading TLD from that perspective, followed by .online and .store. 

The picture for premium renewal revenue (charted below) was bright as well with 62% of premium domains renewed after their initial term, 72% for second renewals and 84% for the third and subsequent renewals.

For a much more detailed breakdown of the premium domain revenue picture at Radix you can check out the full report here.

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