Ireland Invades Texas, Blacknight CEO Michele Neylon to speak at SXSW

Neylon to speak about global Internet governance at SXSWi 2016


Summary
Blacknight CEO Michele Neylon is headed to Austin, Texas to speak out about global Internet governance issues at SXSW Interactive 2016.

Blacknight CEO Michele Neylon is headed to Austin, Texas to speak out about global Internet governance issues at SXSW Interactive 2016.

Everything is bigger in Texas, and SXSW 2016 is no exception. Set to be the world’s largest gathering of music, film and tech professionals in the world, the festival also has a strong Irish presence with Dublin’s Startup Commissioner, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland hosting a number of events throughout the Interactive festival.

Blacknight’s Neylon will be speaking during the conference on a panel titled: “Giving the Internet Away? ICANN explained”. The discussion will take place Friday March 11, 2016 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in Salon 5 of the JW Marriot Austin. The panel explores the ways in which Global Internet Governance may not be sexy, but can literally be a matter of life or death. From the transition of the IANA function away from US oversight to a breakdown of how ICANN works, panelists will explain current issues and how audience members can get involved.

The panel will also discuss Multistakeholderism in the Internet community, the congressional role in global governance and what sort of engagement needs to happen within the tech community to ensure the preservation of an open Internet.

“Global Internet governance and the preservation of the open Internet are some of the most pressing global issues we face,” Neylon explains. “There is no longer a separation of online vs. ‘real life’, it is all just life and if we don’t take steps to educate and protect users the future of the Internet and the future of governance may look quite grim.”

Neylon continues: “There is currently a lot of discussion, some of it informed, some of it rather misinformed around the IANA transition and how it impacts the internet. The US presidential election campaign, which is currently in full swing, has somehow managed to suck in ICANN and IANA into its circus, and our panel discussion will help to deal with some of the surrounding myths and touch on related topics like how governments should (or should not) play a role in the Internet’s evolution.”

Neylon will be joined by Christian Dawson - Chairman of the Internet Infrastructure Coalition, Rachel Wolbers – Legislative Director of TwinLogic Strategies, and Suzan DelBene – Congresswoman, US House of Representatives.

This panel is open to all badge holders. Seating capacity is limited, so arrive early to become part of the discussion.

About Blacknight

Blacknight (http://www.blacknight.com/) are an Irish based, ICANN accredited domain registrar and hosting company. Recipients of several awards for their revolutionary use of social media, Blacknight are one of Europe’s most cutting edge Internet companies. Blacknight constantly seek to lead the way by introducing innovative solutions for its client base and provide dedicated servers and co-location as well as a comprehensive range of Microsoft Windows and Linux based hosting services and domain name registration services to business globally. IP transit services and other solutions for more demanding business and academic customers are offered a la carte. Fibre broadband services for both business and domestic users are also available throughout most of Ireland.

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