CircleID

Internet authorities from around the globe will gather in Vancouver to attend the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) annual meeting at the Westin Bayshore from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, 2005. Leading Edge BC and CircleID are co-hosting this meeting that affects world-wide development of Internet governance and management issues.

"We look forward to working with CircleID to promote this important gathering and showcase British Columbia's role in the evolution of the Internet," says LEBC President George Hunter. "Hosting the ICANN meeting is part of Leading Edge BC's ongoing initiatives to feature the province's technology industries to the world."

This unique open forum draws world government and business leaders, as well as Internet users and technology experts from around the globe. Vinton Cerf, ICANN chairman and widely-acknowledged as the father of the Internet, is expected to address the meeting.

"Our mission is to provide effective communication channels for global Internet communities," says CircleID President and CEO Ali Farshchian. "We look forward to furthering our efforts by co-hosting this significant international event."

Vancouver was chosen by ICANN after LEBC and CircleID submitted a proposal outlining the city's capacity to host the technologically demanding meeting, as well as the bountiful winter recreation and tourism opportunities.

This is the first time ICANN will hold its annual meeting in Canada, and it is only the second time it has met in this country. Due to Vancouver's location on the West Coast Technology Corridor, the meeting is expected to draw more than 1,500 delegates from over 100 countries.

Registration information will soon be available at www.icann.org under the meetings calendar.