Year in Review: Celebrating a Milestone Year at ICA
As we bid farewell to another eventful year, it’s time to look back and celebrate the remarkable journey we’ve had at the Internet Commerce Association. This year has been a blend of challenges, achievements, and significant growth, marking it as a year of firsts and a year of substantial progress. Here’s a list of some of our key milestones and accomplishments, also in an infographic!
- Advocacy and Influence: We made our voice heard with a comprehensive public comment on the .NET Registry Agreement, addressing its impact on over 13 million .net domain names. Our efforts included a direct letter to the ICANN Board, challenging the policy’s implications.
- Community Engagement: Our Annual Meeting in Las Vegas was a resounding success, with over 100 ICA members in attendance, showcasing our growing community’s strength and commitment.
- Knowledge Sharing: The ICA’s Weekly UDRP Case Digest became a cornerstone of our outreach, covering 250 cases with insightful commentaries. This initiative has significantly influenced UDRP Panelists and practitioners, alongside our active presence on social media with real-time updates on UDRP decisions.
- Membership Growth: We welcomed 33 new members and expanded our team with a new staff member, strengthening our collective expertise and reach.
- Media Presence: Our leadership, including Executive Director Kamila Sekiewicz and General Counsel Zak Muscovitch, raised our profile through influential podcasts, spreading our message and insights to a broader audience.
- Global Outreach: We marked 30,210 miles traveled for ICA representation at various ICANN meetings and industry events worldwide, underlining our commitment to global internet governance.
- Policy Development: Our dedicated efforts resulted in 17 concrete proposals for UDRP Reform, a testament to our commitment to fair decision-making and policy improvement.
- Strategic Interventions: Our involvement in advising NIXI on proposed changes showcased our commitment to protecting the secondary market for .IN domain names.
- Recognition and Awards: Celebrating excellence, we bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award upon Gerald Levine, a testament to his contributions to the field.
- Legal Support and Advocacy: Our intervention in recovering the valuable Fox.org domain name for its rightful registrant highlighted our commitment to justice in domain name disputes.
- Participation in Internet Governance: Our biweekly involvement in the ICANN Business Constituency and leadership in the BC Credentials Committee underscored our active role in shaping internet governance.
- Collaborative Discussions: We held 48 weekly calls with key stakeholders, fostering dialogue and understanding among UDRP Panelists, Complainant Counsel, and Defense Counsel.
- Protecting Registrant Rights: Our involvement in weekly meetings of the transfer policy working group was crucial in safeguarding registrant transfer rights.
- Educational Initiatives: We co-hosted two UDRP Panelist Training Workshops, contributing to the education and training of professionals in the field.
- Community Events: Our Namescon ICA Dinner in Austin was a major highlight, with over 140 guests, alongside hosting three engaging Ask Me Anything sessions with industry experts.
As we close this chapter and look forward to the next, we are filled with gratitude for the support and dedication of our members, partners, and the broader community. Here’s to another year of growth, advocacy, and success at the ICA!