My thoughts on NamesCon’s new location and date

A change was necessary, but it creates a conflict.

NamesCon formally announced its new location during the Thanksgiving holiday.

After stints in Las Vegas and Austin, NamesCon is moving to Miami. It will hold its next event November 5-6, 2025 at Ice Palace, an event venue.

I enjoyed the events in Austin, especially because I could see friends and family while I was in town. But Covid threw a wrench in things. After pandemic-induced delays, the show returned in June rather than the usual January dates.

June is a horrible time to be in Austin. It’s also a difficult time for parents as kids in the Northern Hemisphere begin summer vacation and those in the Southern Hemisphere go back to school.

So, changing both the location and timing made a lot of sense.

While I would have preferred California or somewhere in the Northeast as a location, I understand the draw of Miami. Winter weather is nice, and lots of domain investors live there.

As for dates…NamesCon was flushed out of the January dates because of the Internet Commerce Association annual meeting. The organizers also have other constraints because they run highly successful shows at different times throughout the year.

On the one hand, early November is perfect. It’s just outside of the busy part of Florida’s hurricane season and is several weeks before Thanksgiving. On the other hand, the growing Domain Days conference typically takes place in early October. I was thinking about going next year, and I wonder if the organizer is rethinking dates in light of NamesCon’s move.