Changes

==Sponsorship==

==Sponsorship==

Over the years, a variety of sponsorship schemes have been used with relation to ICANN meetings. It has been noted that the initial operation and the first meetings of the organization were made possible through loans from major industry companies, such as [[MCI]], [[Cisco]], and others.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/MCI,-Cisco-come-to-ICANNs-rescue/2100-1023_3-230097.html MCI Cisco come to ICANN's rescue], CNET.com.</ref><ref name="singapore"></ref> Currently, there is a six-tier sponsorship scheme, offering plans ranging in price from $7,500 to $250,000. At one point, the highest level of sponsorship cost $500,000.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/01/05/verisign-gives-icann-500k-for-sponsorship/ VeriSign gives ICANN 500k for Sponsorship], DomainNameWire.com. Published 2011 January 5.</ref> There is also now the opportunity to sponsor individual "networking events", such as a lunch, coffee break, Music Night, etc.<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/sponsorship Sponsorship], ICANN.org.</ref>  

Over the years, a variety of sponsorship schemes have been used with relation to ICANN meetings. It has been noted that the initial operation and the first meetings of the organization were made possible through loans from major industry companies, such as [[MCI]], [[Cisco]], and others.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/MCI,-Cisco-come-to-ICANNs-rescue/2100-1023_3-230097.html MCI Cisco come to ICANN's rescue], CNET.com.</ref> Currently, there is a six-tier sponsorship scheme, offering plans ranging in price from $7,500 to $250,000. At one point, the highest level of sponsorship cost $500,000.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/01/05/verisign-gives-icann-500k-for-sponsorship/ VeriSign gives ICANN 500k for Sponsorship], DomainNameWire.com. Published 2011 January 5.</ref> There is also now the opportunity to sponsor individual "networking events", such as a lunch, coffee break, Music Night, etc.<ref>[http://meetings.icann.org/sponsorship Sponsorship], ICANN.org.</ref>  

Highly active and consistent ICANN sponsors include [[Verisign]], [[Afilias]], [[Neustar]], [[Iron Mountain]], and others.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/verisign-drops-150000-on-icann-singapore/ Verisign Drops 150,000 on ICANN Singapore], DomainIncite.com. Published 2011 May 23.</ref> It is common for local corporations to sponsor when ICANN's rotating meeting schedule puts the meeting in their region.

Highly active and consistent ICANN sponsors include [[Verisign]], [[Afilias]], [[Neustar]], [[Iron Mountain]], and others.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/verisign-drops-150000-on-icann-singapore/ Verisign Drops 150,000 on ICANN Singapore], DomainIncite.com. Published 2011 May 23.</ref> It is common for local corporations to sponsor when ICANN's rotating meeting schedule puts the meeting in their region.