This week, we are thrilled to host the nearly 1000 ICANN delegates from around the world who have come to beautiful Cartagena, Colombia for the 39th ICANN public meeting.  Over the course of the week, delegates will participate in the important work of further enhancing the security, stability and global influence of the Internet. While a variety of working groups, supporting organizations and committees met over the weekend, the public meeting didn't officially kick off until Monday morning.  

Courtesy of ICANNPhotos

The official Welcome Ceremony on Monday kicked off with a fantastic troupe of Colombian dancers who got the crowd going with a variety of local folk music and dance moves.  It was followed by thoughtful and enthusiastic speeches from ICANN's Chairman, Peter Dengate Thrush, and Rod Beckstrom, ICANN's CEO - who gave a full report on ICANN's state of affairs.  There were also presentations by Colombia's newly elected President, President Santos, and the newly appointed Minister responsible for Information Technologies and communications infrastructure, who shared the details of Colombia's four year plan to radically close the digital divide through a multi-billion dollar project called Vive Digital.

But even all of that was nothing compared to the excitement and pride that our team felt to see our fearless leader, our CEO, Juan Diego Calle, take front and center on the ICANN stage -- speaking about innovation, marketing -- and the great success the .CO domain extension has enjoyed around the globe since we launched back in July.  A copy of the transcript of Juan's speech, along with a video taped version, will soon be made available on this blog.

Courtesy of ICANNPhotos

Monday evening was capped off by an off-the-hook party celebrating our business partners, and thanking them for the time and commitment they have given to making the .CO launch such a success.  Held on the beautiful rooftop deck of the Santa Teresa Hotel, nearly two hundred people enjoyed .COcktails, .COnversation and fabulous orange fireworks lighting up the Cartagena sky -- as we looked back at the achievements of 2010 and looked forward to 2011 and beyond.

So what's new for 2011?  According to a guest video appearance by none other than Mr. Bob Parson's himself, the legendary founder of GoDaddy, there's at least one "ginormous" piece of news for .CO that involves the massive consumer awareness.  He urged everyone to "keep their eyes on the Superbowl" to find out more!  So stay tuned -- this one is going to be fun!!

Finally, tonight, Wednesday evening, .CO Internet will cordially invite all ICANN guests - and their spouses-  to attend an authentically Colombian Gala celebration, which will be sponsored by our trusted registry services partner, Neustar. The Gala event will commence at 7:00pm in the Conference Center banquet room, which is conveniently located, well ...  right inside the Conference Center!  : )  

Guests in attendance should expect to enjoy typical Colombian food, music, dancing and fun — along with spectacular views of the Bay of Cartagena and the old city.  

We look forward to seeing you tonight.  Be there or be square!  Or in the case of tech nerds (like myself) - be there and be square!  : )