The following keynote and general sessions are FREE to attend. No need to sign up. All keynote and other free general sessions will be held in the NetExpo Washington and MultiCom exhibit hall (Hall A), except for: * Towards 2001: Six Net Megatrends that Will Reshape the World, which will be held in Seminar Room 4. and the * Wireless Access Panel Session: Surfing Unplugged, to be held in Seminar Room 6. Thursday, September 10, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: "In the Middle of a Gold Rush" Vinton Cerf. This presentation will briefly review the history of the Internet, cite statistics that suggest we are still in the middle of a "gold rush," and then examine electronic commerce, new applications and network requirements (such as classes of service, IP version 6, cryptography) and then make a few predictions about what the future holds for the Internet. Vinton Cerf is referred to as the "Father of the Internet," and is Senior VP, Internet Architecture and Engineering for MCI. Thursday, September 10, 1:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m.: "The Emerging Digital Economy" Robert Shapiro Where advances in telecommunications and computing largely occurred side-by-side in the past, today they converge in the Internet. Soon, virtually all information technology investment will be part of interlinked communications systems. IT and electronic commerce can be expected to drive economic growth for many years to come. To realize this potential, however, the private sector and governments face a number of challenges. Robert Shapiro is Undersecretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Dr. Shapiro has been published widely on economic policy issues and he was principal economic adviser to Bill Clinton in his 1992 campaign. Friday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: "Building Your Business Identity on the Internet" Gabriel Battista The Internet is the great leveler in business. Even the smallest company can take on a major conglomerate if they build a strong online presence. What are the steps small businesses should take in establishing themselves online? What are the costs and issues for small businesses? This session will speak to the importance of small business, which is now the fastest-growing segment of the on-line community. Gabriel Battista is CEO of Network Solutions, the world's leading domain name registrar and operator of the InterNIC. FREE to attend. Thursday, September 10, 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Towards 2001: Six Net Megatrends that Will Reshape the World This multimedia show, from Washington's Number 1 high-tech ad agency, offers an entertaining and informative take on just what the Web and other "convergence" technologies may hold for our future. Bob Duffy and Lindsay Hall of Stackig Advertising -- frequent speakers on e-business and Web at venues around the globe -- promise to make you smile, and maybe make you smarter, and possibly make you want to pick an argument, especially if you're convinced that the Web's just a propeller-head flash in the pan. Plus, Three Interactive Panels for Interactive Media! Free to attend. No need to register. Make plans to join in three panel discussions dedicated to three rapidly changing areas of critical interest to all professionals who utilize the Internet: Advertising and Marketing, E-Commerce and Wireless Access. We've assembled key players for all panels, all with years of experience to relate, but the most important participants will be...YOU. Bring your questions, experiences and comments and participate in our open discussion format. No rhetoric allowed, only frank discussions of real-world applications with experienced professionals! 1. Advertising/Marketing Panel Session: Netting Business on the Net Thursday, September 10, 2:15-3:15 p.m. A forum on web advertising and marketing, sponsored by The Ad Club of Metropolitan Washington. Panelists are Mark Thomas, vice president of sales for Millward Brown Interactive, Thomas Hartman, regional vice president of DoubleClick, Liddy Manson, vice president and general manager of washingtonpost.com and newsweek.com, and Glenn Whiting, interactive director of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. Moderated by Raleigh Schein of Raleigh Schein & Company. The Ad Club will hold a networking event following the presentation to meet the panelists and learn more from those in the know about advertising and marketing on the Web. The Ad Club appreciates the support of our sponsors for making the reception possible: Platinum Sponsors: 24/7 Media CLIQNOW! Sales Group Real Networks Gold Sponsors: D.C. Orbit Business Information Network digitalNATION 2. Wireless Access Panel Session: Surfing Unplugged Friday, September 11, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. As the Internet becomes more and more a critical means of communication, the need to be able to tap into its data from anywhere, and at any time, becomes extremely important. Moderated by Hank Dearden III of 3D Technologies, Ltd., this panel will explore real-world cases for accessing the Internet away from the home or office, discuss benefits vs. costs, and also take a peak into what kind of services will soon be available. Panelists are Erik Moon, systems engineer of Metricom, John Zahurancik, director of The Strategis Group and Don Rickerson, president of Personal Satellite Network. 3. Internet Commerce Panel Session: Banking on Bits and Bytes Friday, September 11, 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Gary Arlen of Arlen Communications will moderate this open discussion on making the Internet a viable commercial medium for your business. The panelists have years of experience implementing dozens of projects and you are invited to tap into this experience to benefit your own Internet commerce strategy. Panelists are Drew Taubman, managing partner of USWeb Corp., Susan Bowen, senior account manager of Netscape Corp., and Nancy Goldberg, vice president of CyberCash.