On June 20, 2011, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) unleashed a new era of competition designed to create a more accessible, secure and innovative Internet.

Between January 12 and April 20, 2012, ICANN is allowing representatives from any city or region in the world to apply for a unique dot Region or dot City Top-level Domain (TLD). A TLD is the suffix that is 'right of the last dot' in an Internet address, as in the 'gov' in www.phila.gov, or 'org' in www.ICANN.org,or 'info' in www.Afilias.info. This means, for example, that authorized New York representatives can apply for '.nyc' or the Rocky Mountain region for '.rockies' or Dakar for '.dakar', and so on.

If you're a city official, a trusted advisor, or even an interested citizen, you have come to the best place on the Web to learn about dot City TLDs and to learn the answers to such questions as:

As the industry's most experienced new TLD registry provider, we want to help you make the right decision for your city. After reviewing our information on the dot City opportunity, let's discuss how our second-to-none expertise in new TLDs can help you apply for, launch and operate your new TLD.

Learn more about dot City TLDs and what to expect. Simply contact us to schedule a no-obligation, exploratory conversation

Be warned: The process to apply for an ICANN new dot City domain can take time … and the time to apply is short. No applications will be accepted after April 20, 2012. Once that application window closes, it may not open for years or -- even a decade.

It takes time to build a team, develop a program, and select the most qualified Registry Services Partner to help complete the rigorous ICANN new TLD application process. The applicationis complex and costs USD$185,000. That's not to discourage you; it's to help you set realistic timelines for building your team and ensuring your budget. By the way, $185,000 is less than the cost of running one full-page ad in the New York Times just one time.

Learn more about dot City TLDs and what to expect. Simply contact us to schedule a no-obligation, exploratory conversation.

The benefits of owning and operating a new dot City TLD are many: a shorter and more memorable brand-building domain name, complete control over who uses your dot City name and how they use it, new ways for your government to support economic growth, and new revenue-generating possibilities that support your unique initiatives for tourism and economic development.

Your new dot City TLD will give you the power to create new second-level domain names – for example, 'www.tourism.nyc' or 'www.theatre.nyc.' In these examples, the second level domain is what's 'left of the dot' like 'tourism' and 'theatre.'

You will be able to set policies and management rights to determine who can use your second-level domain names, and whether you charge money to firms and organizations to use your second-level domain names.

Your new dot City TLD can enable your city administrations to launch new e-government initiatives, inform citizens about emergencies, and advertise services, tourism, local events, public transportation, legislation, and local issues. You can elicit your citizens and stakeholders' input. You can even crowdsource initiatives to create a true 'participatory democracy.' In short, it's a more intuitive place to find all the information people will need about your city.

Looking ahead, your new dot City TLD can become an engine of innovation that will enable your citizens and your city to grow and thrive.

Bottom line, your new dot City TLD gives your city the capacity to empower your citizens and your government employees to interact in new, never-before-possible ways.

Learn more about dot City TLDs and what to expect. Simply contact us to schedule a no-obligation, exploratory conversation

Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class, has written extensively about the 'creative city' -- metropolitan regions with high concentrations of technology workers, among other creative groups. These technologically advanced environments, he notes, attract significant businesses and capital. One of the ways you can ensure your city or region is perceived – and acts – like a 'creative city' is to use a city-specific TLD to identify your city or region.

Several cities have already announced that they are applying for a TLD (and we know dozens more who haven't yet announced their plans to the general public). Among the cities that have announced they will apply for a new TLD are:

If you are a city official, or advisor to a city, or simply an interested citizen, what will you do today to ensure that your city gets its own space on the Internet?

Learn more about dot City TLDs and what to expect. Simply contact us to schedule a no-obligation, exploratory conversation.

For regions that are connected by a common language and culture, a new TLD can help unify and connect interests and businesses throughout the region. For example, the inhabitants of the Catalonia region in Spain currently use '.cat' to demonstrate a shared language, as well as the geographic and cultural uniqueness in this historic area.

Earlier, Afilias announced that is supporting a dot Region TLD application for '.bayern' -- designed to reinforce the unique geographic identity of the businesses and inhabitants of Bavaria, Germany's second-most populous state with 2.5 million residents.

The rationale for a dot Region TLD is the same as for any dot City application. According to Lothar Kunz, managing director of PunktBayern GmbH & Co. KG, .bayern will focus 'on websites that will make Bavarian products and services easily available around the world. Down the road, .bayern will also play an important role as a virtual gate to Bavaria, where citizens will intuitively find e-government services.'

Smaller cities might wish to band together and submit an application for a dot Region TLD. For example, the cities of Wallonia in Belgium might submit a '.walloon' to support their strong cultural and language ties and to highlight business opportunities unique to the region. Or the cities of Louisiana's Cajun area might consider a '.cajun' to demonstrate their one-of-a-kind language, cultural history and geographic proximity.

Learn more about dot City TLDs and what to expect. Simply contact us to schedule a no-obligation, exploratory conversation.

Imagine differentiating your city/region to compete in new ways for tourism, talent and technology. Your new dot City/Region TLD can act as a platform for government employees and citizens to create new services and revenues. Your new dot City/Region TLD platform is only limited by your imagination.

Given the costs, investing in a new dot City/Region TLD is a strategic investment in the future of your city/region. Your leadership team needs to move fast to build the project team and business case to apply for, launch and operate your dot City/Region TLD. The ICANN application window is open January 12 through April 20, 2012.

If you forego the opportunity to secure a dot City/Region TLD, ICANN may not open the application window again for years. The good news is that Afilias is uniquely positioned to help your city apply for, launch and operate your dot City/Region TLD. Given our years of experience, we have developed a rapid and rigorous approach and the proven technology to improve your chances of success when applying for your new TLD.

Learn more about dot City/Region TLDs and what to expect. Simply contact us to schedule a no-obligation, exploratory conversation.

The International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the entity that decides how you apply for your new domain; you administer it once you receive permission for it.

All of this is outlined in the free ICANN Applicant Guidebook. After downloading the guidebook, you will want to pay special attention to section 2.2.1.4: 'Geographic Names Review.' This section contains all the information – including documentation needed – to submit a successful dot City or dot Region application.

You will also want to pay especially close attention to questions 23-44 and 'Module 5: Transition to Delegation.' These require detailed and highly specialized technical expertise. And this is where working with an established provider like Afilias can help ensure your application meets these stringent requirements. Afilias has supported more approved new TLD applications than any other provider. Afilias understands how to help you succeed with your application and how to help you best take advantage of your domain – in accordance with your objectives -- once it's approved.

Our dot City e-book is a fast-read document designed to help you understand the opportunties and the how to's of owning a new dot City TLD.

Watch our video on the opportunities created by dot City TLDs. This short video illustrates the many benefits and new approaches that City Leaders can gain with a dot City TLD.

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