A preview of the week ahead in Santa Monica.

The largest domain name conference, DOMAINfest, takes place in Santa Monica this week. There’s a lot to look for in the 2012 edition. Here are six questions that will be answered before the end of the week.

1. How will Oversee.net’s new leadership present itself?

Oversee.net branded itself largely with former CEO Jeff Kupietzky. Now Oversee.net has new leadership with co-presidents Debra Domeyer and Scott Morrow. Domeyer attended TRAFFIC last Fall, but for most people this conference will be the first introduction to the pair.

2. Will Oversee.net address Moniker?

It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that Oversee.net has been shopping around Moniker. Also this month we saw the departure of some of Moniker’s longtime account managers. As a Moniker customer, I received no notice of the account manager changes.

Will Oversee continue to be silent about Moniker? Or will it address the changes head on to instill confidence. Confidence, after all, is one of the most important things people consider when selecting a registrar.

3. Will the new parties make up for the (lack of) Playboy Mansion?

There’s no trip to the Playboy Mansion this year. After over 100 people got sick last year I think that’s probably OK with most people.

But there will still be a Playboy element. .Co is sponsoring a party at Petersen Automotive Museum that will include some playmates as well as the star of the GoDaddy .co Super Bowl commercial Natalia Velez.

The final night party will be at House of Blue and includes “edgy, sexy and interactive entertainment”. It will be interesting.

4. How many people will be there?

DOMAINfest has attracted 700 people in recent years. That’s about the peak I could imagine if it’s mostly domainers. But the show is shifting — just like the company — and is attracting more from the lead gen, affiliate, and SEO spaces.

5. Can DOMAINfest successfully include topics outside the typical domainer realm?

This year you’ll hear a lot more about lead gen, SEO, and affiliate marketing at the show. It will be interesting to see how this shift is managed.

6. What big company announcements will be made?

Domain companies tend to make big announcements during domain conferences. Already this morning Sedo announced a deal with GoDaddy. What big deals and announcements will we hear this week?

There you have it. Six big questions that we’ll know the answer to by the end of the week.

See you in Santa Monica.

© DomainNameWire.com 2011.

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Related posts:

1. 5 Questions to be Answered at DOMAINfest
2. 5 Questions To Be Answered at Next Week’s TRAFFIC Conference
3. 5 Questions Answered at TRAFFIC

Opportunity to dine with DOMAINfest speakers quickly disappearing.

Want some quality time with Brook Schaaf, John Morris, Lisa Box, Jay Weintraub, or Paul Nicks during DOMAINfest next week?

Your easiest opportunity is no longer available.

These are among the people who already have full tables for their “Dine with an Expert” session during the conference.

Although I’m sure there will be other opportunities to chat with these experts, there are still a number of good options available under the program. Both Debra Domeyer and Scott Morrow, co-presidents of Oversee.net, still have space available at their tables.

The dining options take place primarily during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, although there are also some available breakfast slots.

© DomainNameWire.com 2011.

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Related posts:

1. Dine With an Expert at DOMAINfest, But Frank Schilling is Booked
2. DOMAINfest Brings Back “Dine with an Expert”
3. DOMAINfest brings back “Dine With an Expert”

Colombian model to attend dinner party on February 1.

DOMAINfest organizers have just announced that Columbian model Natalia Velez, who stars along with Danica Patrick and Jillian Michaels in a GoDaddy Super Bowl commercial this year, will attend the conference taking place in Santa Monica next week.

Velez will be in person at the Petersen Automotive Museum for the conference’s SuperCars dinner party sponsored by .Co on February 1.

Velez was recently unveiled as the star of one of GoDaddy’s commercials that highlights the .co domain name. The commercial has already been released and will be aired during the SuperCars party.

And for those that are bummed about the conference not returning to the Playboy Mansion this year, take note: there will be Playboy Playmates at the SuperCars event.

© DomainNameWire.com 2011.

Get Certified Parking Stats at DNW Certified Stats.

Related posts:

1. .Co to return to Super Bowl in GoDaddy commercial
2. New Pussycat Dolls to star in GoDaddy Super Bowl commercial
3. GoDaddy Crowns New $250,000 Commercial, Announces 2 Super Bowl Commercials