/R E P E A T -- Discuss, debate, participate - CIRA's Canadian Internet Forum and AGM only days away/

OTTAWA, Sept. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (www.CIRA.ca), the organization that manages the .CA domain, is hosting its Canadian Internet Forum and 2013 AGM in Montreal on Monday. This provocative and informative day will address both global Internet issues that have an impact on Canadians, as well as how Canadian businesses can make the most of their presence online and benefit from Canada's growing digital economy.

The Canadian Internet Forum (CIF) and the AGM will take place at Montreal's Centre Mont-Royal from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 16. This is the first time that the CIF and the AGM have been combined.

The big issues

The CIF is CIRA's ongoing consultation with the Canadian public that provides all citizens with a voice to discuss those aspects of the Internet that matter most to them. Once a year, the CIF features a busy day of keynotes and panel discussions with a rich lineup of academics, policymakers, business leaders and visionaries. This year's themes include Canada's place in the global Internet and online safety and security.

CIRA CEO Byron Holland will also address the issue of online government surveillance, following the landmark survey of Canadians that CIRA carried out earlier this summer with Ipsos-Reid.

The business value of .CA

CIRA doesn't only represent Canada in the global Internet community. It is also the custodian of .CA, that distinctly Canadian Internet domain. The day's agenda includes a business-related stream ideal for Quebec-based business owners and entrepreneurs. They will learn how to get their businesses online with .CA, how to make the most of their online marketing, and how to use web analytics to their advantage.

The lunch keynote will be delivered by Avinash Kaushik, digital marketing evangelist for Google, co-founder of Market Motive, and bestselling author. He will be granting interviews only to those media who attend or tune in via the live webcast to his keynote.

The opportunity to be involved

The CIF will include a short AGM portion (45 minutes) where Canadians can have a say in the operation and governance of the Internet in Canada ahead of the organization's annual board of directors' election. While anyone can attend the AGM, only .CA Members can vote at the AGM or in the election. However, membership is free and can easily be obtained online by any .CA domain name holder.

The day's proceedings are free to attend and most sessions will also be accessible nationally via an interactive webcast. The two sessions for the business-related stream will not be webcast.

To learn more about the CIF and to register, please visit https://events.cira.ca

To learn more about, or to obtain, .CA Membership, please visit https://member.cira.ca.

About CIRA

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority is the Member-driven organization that manages Canada's .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community, and represents the .CA registry internationally.

SOURCE: Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

Tanya O'Callaghan
Communications Manager, Canadian Internet Registration Authority
[phone] ext. 262
[email protected]

Leo Valiquette
inmedia Public Relations
[phone]
[email protected]