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Internet Visionary to Speak at INET'98
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 1998
One of Many Highlights at Geneva Conference, July 21 to 24.RESTON, Virginia – The Internet Society (ISOC) today announced that Vinton Cerf, co-inventor of the computer networking protocol TCP/IP, which has become the language for Internet communications, will be a featured speaker at INET’98 to be held July 21 to 24, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The conference provides an annual forum for world leaders of the Internet community to discuss the future impact of the Internet on many key areas of society, including communications, health, law, education and electronic commerce. Representatives from over 120 countries are expected to attend.
"The Internet Society is devoted to the process that has allowed the Internet to grow, flourish and evolve successfully," said Cerf. "INET’98 comes at a critical time in Internet evolution and I am looking forward to participating in what is certain to be a very constructive series of dialogues and programs on current and future challenges facing this global resource."
Cerf is the co-inventor of the computer networking protocol, TCP/IP, which is the basic language of the Internet. Today, he is responsible for the development of MCI’s Internet services. He also serves on a presidential panel to review the U.S. Government’s program for the Next Generation Internet.
"Vint Cerf has played a central role in the development of the Internet during the last two decades," said Don Heath, president of ISOC. "As a recognized leader in Internet development and technologies, we are looking forward to hearing his vision on what lies ahead for the global Internet community."
Cerf began his career at the Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and played a major role in sponsoring the development of Internet-related data packet technologies. In 1982, he joined MCI Digital Information Services, serving as chief engineer in the development of MCI Mail, one of the first commercial electronic mail services. Cerf subsequently served as vice president of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), where he conducted national research efforts on information infrastructure technologies.
From 1992 to 1995, Cerf served as the founding president of the Internet Society. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his work on the Internet and in 1997 was named a co-recipient of the National Medal of Technology with Robert E. Kahn.
Other leading Internet experts scheduled to speak at INET’98 include Ira Magaziner, senior advisor on U.S. Internet policy to President Bill Clinton; Jean-Noël Tronc, advisor to French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin for Information Technology; James Richardson, president for Cisco Systems Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Khalil Baroum, general manager of IBM Industries for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
More than 150 peer-reviewed papers will be presented during INET’98. Attendees will include a who’s-who of the global Internet community. Major sponsors for the event include the Geneva Financial Center Foundation, Compaq Computer Corporation, Sun Microsystems, Cisco systems, IBM, France Telecom, University of Geneva and MCI Communications.
INET’98 conference details and registration information are available at the Internet Society web site < http://www.isoc.org >
Since 1992, ISOC has served as the international organization for global coordination and cooperation on the Internet, promoting and maintaining a broad spectrum of activities focused on the Internet’s development, availability, and associated technologies. ISOC is a non-governmental, international organization and its members include private companies, government agencies, foundations, entrepreneurial organizations and more than 6,000 individual members.
Contacts:
Don Heath, heath@isoc.org
Martin Burack, burack@isoc.org
(703)648-9888
Tom Gable, tomg@gablegroup.com
Alice Sachs, alice@gablegroup.com
The Gable Group
(619)234-1300
