.Vegas Domain Names Available Summer 2014

Owning a .Vegas digital address will soon be a reality for anyone in the world with the recent finalization of the contract between the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Dot Vegas, Inc. The contract solidifies the Las Vegas, Nevada-based company as the registry and operator of the .Vegas top-level domain (TLD) that will put Las Vegas on the digital map in a big way. The new .Vegas TLD will be available summer 2014.

According to Jim Trevino, CEO, Dot Vegas, Inc.:

• The rollout process begins with a 120-day waiting period during which .Vegas is carefully incorporated into the root directory of the Internet.
• Following that, a 60-day sunrise period allows trademark holders that have submitted their trademarks to ICANN’s Trademark Clearing House, the opportunity to register their .Vegas domain names.
• Following that, anyone can register a .Vegas TLD through a large network of international registrars, including GoDaddy, 1&1 Domains, eNom and local Vegas based web development and hosting companies.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that those with trademarked brands, along with local Las Vegas companies and individuals, have the first opportunity to register. We particularly encourage locals to secure their .Vegas domains before the registry opens for general availability,” said Trevino.

“As the Internet grows, a .Vegas TLD gives businesses and individuals a leg up in the increasingly competitive online world through association with the powerful Las Vegas brand,” Trevino continued. “One of the industry’s largest registrars estimates the number of .Vegas domain names may easily exceed 900,000. With this much interest, it’s a smart move to register your brand early to enhance your digital presence as well as to prevent anyone else from securing your company name with a .Vegas address.”

According to Jennifer Wolfe, a principal in the Ohio-based digital strategy and brand protection firm, Wolfe Domain, the Internet is undergoing a paradigm shift marked by explosive growth of brand specific top-level domains. “In 2013, there were 23 generic top-level domains with 111 million of 147 million TLDs ending in .com,” said Wolfe. “Beginning in 2014, there will be 1,000-plus new top-level domains, and half of the world’s top brands have already applied for their own top-level domains, including Google which applied for 101 TLDs and Amazon which applied for 76.” According to Wolfe, this is the first scaled expansion of the domain space since the Internet began, and it brings with it vast opportunities for companies, brands and marketers.

In partnership with the city, Dot Vegas, Inc. applied to ICANN for exclusive management and operational rights to the .Vegas top-level domain. As a revenue partner with Dot Vegas, Inc., the city will receive in perpetuity a percentage of the fees generated by the registration and renewal of .Vegas domain names.

“This is another exciting milestone for Las Vegas,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “Las Vegas is easily one of the world’s most recognized brands, and now, through this highly strategic and exclusive opportunity, our city will further expand its presence on the Internet,” continued Goodman. “From a marketing perspective, this enhances our city’s already iconic and powerful brand. As Las Vegas strives to become a center of technology, a .Vegas top-level domain name gives us a true and significantly enlarged worldwide online presence.”

ICANN recently expanded the top-level domains available on the Internet beyond the most recognized .com and .org. The city of Las Vegas joins others such as Miami, Boston and New York City as top-level domains, although .Vegas is considered a “generic” top-level domain, rather than a geographic domain. This means that those applying for a .Vegas extension do not have to be physically located in or have a defined nexus with the city of Las Vegas.

About Dot Vegas, Inc.  

Dot Vegas, Inc. is the proud operator of the .Vegas top-level domain. Based in Las Vegas, the company was founded by experienced industry operators and managers with more than 15 years combined experience. After six years and more than $1 million invested, Dot Vegas, Inc. was approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) as the exclusive registry and operator of the new top-level domain -.Vegas. The company has a partnership with the city of Las Vegas and enjoys support from key political, civic and business organizations throughout Southern Nevada. Dot Vegas, Inc. is committed to making .Vegas one of the most exciting brands in the digital world. The company expects .Vegas domain names to become available in Summer 2014. Visit http://www.dotvegasinc.com/ for information and availability timelines.