What to know, what to do: ICANN82 in Seattle

Here’s what you ought to know ahead of ICANN82.

Picture of Seattle, Washington skyline

[Editor’s note: ICANN’s annual Community Forum begins this Saturday in Seattle. Although I reside in the Seattle area, I live on an island and don’t know as much regarding the city as you’d expect for someone who has lived here for six years. So I asked long-time Seattleite Jothan Frakes to contribute a story regarding what to do in Seattle. Jothan is also a long-time member of the ICANN community, and he shares what to expect at this meeting.]

Late this stretch, Seattle will be the center of the world for Internet names and IP addresses, as ICANN82 will bring together global internet stakeholders to Seattle—a city that has long played a role in shaping the internet and domain name industry. As someone who has called Seattle home since 1995, I couldn’t be more thrilled to see this critical ICANN meeting hosted in my own backyard, one I share with people like Andrew Allemann and Michael Cyger, who I typically see on the same plane as me when ICANN meetings take place in one of the dozens of international cities it typically occurs at.

Seattle has a deep history in technology, internet security, and domain names, and I’ve been fortunate to be part of that journey. In 1997, ahead of ICANN even existed, I helped run my first ccTLD registry technical back end from downtown Seattle. The domain name community has since been hard at work building out the infrastructure of the internet, and it’s remarkable to see how far we’ve come. ICANN82 also comes at a moment of transition, with a fresh ICANN CEO stepping in and major developments shaping the future of domain names, security, and internet governance.

ICANN82: A Landmark Meeting in a Year of Change

The first ICANN meeting of the year is always well attended, but when it takes place in the U.S., attendance tends to be even larger. Expect this to be one of the most highly attended meetings of 2025—especially with so many pivotal discussions on the table.

Fresh gTLD Applications Open Following 14 Years

The last time ICANN opened a fresh gTLD application round was in 2012—over 14 years ago.
ICANN will soon begin accepting applications for fresh domain extensions, and many firms are by now planning to apply for hundreds of fresh “dot neighbors” to .COM.
If you want to understand what this means for the future of domain names, ICANN82 in Seattle is the place to be.

This meeting also comes at a moment of transition for ICANN itself, with a fresh CEO stepping in to lead the organization. Leadership changes at ICANN often come with fresh priorities and directions, making this an notable time for stakeholders to engage and participate in shaping the future of DNS governance.

What to Expect at ICANN82

Seattle is home to some of the biggest technology firms in the world, counting Amazon, Microsoft, Google Cloud, and many DNS infrastructure providers. This makes it a fitting location to discuss:

DNS Abuse & Security – Tackling domain name abuse, phishing, malware, and insights from ICANN’s INFERMAL note, and the decades-long debate regarding registrant data availability, which national privacy regulations have complicated.
The Future of Fresh gTLDs – Understanding the application process, timelines, costs and what comes next.
ICANN’s Role in Internet Governance – With a fresh CEO at the helm, how will ICANN evolve?

As a member of the ICANN Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) and the registrar stakeholder group, I work alongside some of the most amazing security professionals on the challenges surrounding DNS abuse. One of the major focus areas at ICANN82 will be the advancements borne of self-regulation in the domain name industry. Many registries and registrars have introduced fresh self-initiated commitments to directly mitigate well-evidenced phishing and other abuses. Additionally, the ongoing discussion around registrant data—made more complex by GDPR and big tech’s theoretical focus on consumer privacy—continues to challenge the security community’s ability to fight abuse effectively.

Pro Tips for First-Time ICANN Attendees

If this is your first ICANN meeting, it can feel overwhelming—with dozens of sessions, technical discussions, and acronyms to navigate. Here’s how to get the most out of it:

Pick up your badge early – Registration lines can be long, so plan ahead. A government-issued ID is required.
ICANN meetings are free, but advanced registration is required – Register here.
Join the Newcomer Session – ICANN staff will help you understand how things work and where to focus your time.
Use the ICANN schedule tool – Mark sessions of interest and avoid feeling lost.
IF you feel lost, that’s natural – Most do not adjust until their fourth or fifth ICANN meeting, but when we say ICANN community, we mean it – the people at the meetings and the event staff are incredibly gracious and helpful if you ask.

Seattle’s Must-See Sights for ICANN Attendees

Seattle isn’t just a tech hub—it’s a stunning city with incredible food, culture, shopping and history. If you’re visiting from out of town, don’t miss:

Pike Place Market & Post Alley – Iconic food stalls, artisan vendors, the fish-throwers, and the famous Gum Wall and the first Starbucks – and the legendary Golden Age Collectables on the fourth level of the market.
Space Needle & MoPOP – The best views in the city, plus exhibits on music, gaming, and pop culture.
Seattle Waterfront & Columbia Tower – Scenic views, the Seattle Great Wheel, and a 73rd-floor observation deck.
Amazing Restaurants & Shopping – Seattle’s food scene is world-class, from fresh seafood to craft coffee.

And for those arriving a few days early, you can wave your full nerd flag at Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), happening March 6-9, 2025—right across the street from the ICANN venue! Don’t be surprised if you see some soggy cosplayers playing Dungeons & Dragons at the Hyatt!

Get Involved: ICANN Leadership Opportunities

As the Registrar Stakeholder Group (RrSG) representative to the 2025 ICANN Nominating Committee, I want to encourage more fresh voices in ICANN leadership.

The ICANN Nominating Committee (NomCom) is actively seeking candidates for key leadership roles. This is a unique opportunity to:

Join global leaders in internet governance
Shape the future of ICANN and DNS policy
Have a direct impact on how internet technical coordination evolves

If you’re interested, learn more and apply here → go.icann.org/4gkcUnn.

See You in Seattle for ICANN82!

Whether you’re a seasoned ICANN participant or a first-time attendee, ICANN82 is a must-attend event. It’s an opportunity to engage in critical conversations, build connections, and help shape the future of the domain industry.

Having participated in ICANN for decades, I know just how notable this organization is in keeping the internet stable, secure, and innovative. It’s an absolute delight to welcome the ICANN community to my hometown—Seattle.

If you miss ICANN82, don’t worry! The next two ICANN meetings will take place in Prague, Czech Republic, and Muscat, Oman later in 2025.

See you soon at ICANN 82! And don’t forget to pack a light raincoat—it’s Seattle, following all!