The San Francisco event will be an evening gala aimed at celebrating the innovators, entrepreneurs and remarkable individuals that made .com what it is today. It will honor those that forever changed the way we think and act as individuals and as a society…from commerce, to entertainment, to finance, education and philanthropy.

The Venue
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

.com Approaches 25th Anniversary
VeriSign to Lead Year-Long Initiative to Recognize Innovators and Leaders That Have Shaped First 25 Years of .com

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA — (Marketwire) — February 3, 2010 — In March 1985, the first .com domain was registered, igniting the birth of the consumer Internet that, 25 years later, continues to transform communications, commerce and our society as a whole.

Beginning in March 2010, VeriSign, the long-time operator of the .com domain, will lead an industry-wide initiative to recognize the innovators and leaders that have shaped the first 25 years of .com and in doing so transformed our economy and society. The celebration of “25 Years of .com” will kick off with a policy-focused event in Washington, DC on March 16.

In conjunction with that event, VeriSign will also announce the creation of four $75,000 research grants that will be awarded to those who show the most promise to shape the next 25 years of .com.

“In the past 25 years, the Internet has altered history and transformed lives around the globe. It has forever changed our relationships with the world around us by providing unprecedented access to people, places and information. The .com celebration is about honoring the innovators who have gotten us to where we are today and recognizing those who will help shape the next 25 years,” said Mark McLaughlin, CEO, VeriSign. “Billions of times each day, VeriSign connects web sites and users, while helping to ensure the Internet revolution continues to unfold at its characteristically fast pace. We’re proud of the role that VeriSign plays in enabling the .com infrastructure and in the role that our registrars play in providing the crucial platform and access to .com every day.”

Details on major events and initiatives:

March 16: Policy Impact Forum, Washington, DC

The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Amphitheater

The Internet has been the source of — and increasingly, the forum for — some of the most interesting and controversial policy debates in recent times. Public policy has been challenged to keep up with the ever-evolving, fast-paced advances of the Internet and the often-perplexing economic and social questions that it raises.

This day-long event will feature thought-provoking keynote speakers and two engaging panel discussions that will bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, visionaries and Internet users to reflect on how we got here; to discuss the significant impact of the Internet on our economy, society and environment; and to focus on what the future of .com will hold.

.com 25 Awards

.com would not be what it is today without the early innovators who paved the way. As part of this celebration, VeriSign will soon announce the top 75 people and companies who have made the most notable impact in shaping the Internet and ultimately, our world. From this list, a distinguished panel comprised of some of the Internet’s most important influencers, will select the “.com 25.” Winners of the .com 25 will be announced at a gala event later this spring in San Francisco.

A web site — www.25yearsof.com — will host a variety of multimedia content throughout the coming months, showcasing the innovators and entrepreneurs who have shaped the Internet. 25yearsof.com is a year-long celebration of Internet innovation, all of which can be followed at:

Twitter: Keep up with our latest news at @25yearsofdotcom

Facebook: Friend us at facebook.com/25yearsofdotcom

Video: Watch people from leading Internet companies answer the question “How Do You .com?” at 25yearsof.com

About VeriSign

VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign helps companies and consumers all over the world engage in communications and commerce with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com

Where: San Francisco

When: July 24 – 25, 2008

Who:

• Full service agency media planners and buyers
• PPC agencies
• Organic search specialists
• In-house search marketers
• Brand marketers

Local and mobile search, regarded as separate from the past, is now converging rapidly. This is why the earlier search marketers realize this and adopt their plans accordingly, the earlier will they reap benefits. This expo will help you gain that added edge, and with speakers Chris Sherman and Greg Sterling who are experts in the field of search marketing, you are in good hands.

Local & Mobile search is an untapped opportunity to gain extra visibility in Google search results but it requires new and specialized techniques. It will enhance ad-spending/searching as well as simplify and make more accessible online marketing.

• About
• Register
• Chris Sherman
• Greg Sterling

• What: Fifth Annual Web 2.0 Summit
• Where: San Francisco, California
• When: November 5 – 7, 2008
• Who: Leaders in Healthcare, Genetics, Finance, Global Business and Politics

Web 2.0 Summit is a collaboration of O’Reilly Media Inc. and TechWeb and moderated by John Battelle and Tim O’Reilly. The Summit through its interactive format will present their unique point of view on the Web’s future-in-flux by way of plenary sessions, onstage conversations and in-depth workshops. From here, you will learn what business models are effective, what’s in store for the future and how it will impact on your business.

The Summit aims to bring together the brains, innovation and direction of the Internet industry in one place all at the same time. In addition to this, the organizers have considered the needs of other industry leaders who are turning to the Web for solutions.

On its fifth year, the Summit will bring together over 70 thought leaders and entrepreneurs to give presentations that are designed to stir, surprise and thrill the audience and in turn will encourage active audience participation. Top executives from the business will discuss during the plenary sessions and workshops the future of the Web and new web technologies.

An initial lineup of speakers will include senior level executives, technologist, financiers, entrepreneurial innovators and analysts. Among the names included are: Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Ning and Netscape Communications Corporation; Lance Armstrong, Livestrong; Ken Auletta, The New Yorker; John Battelle, Federated Media Publishing; Marc Benioff, Salesforce.com; Ralph de la Vega, AT & T Mobility; Kevin Johnson, Microsoft; Mary Meeker, Morgan Stanley, Tim O’Reilly, O’Reilly Media, Inc.; Padmasree Warrior, Cisco Systems; Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe; and a lot more.

• Registration (by invitation only)
• Speakers
• Sponsors
• Sponsorship opportunities