New Zealand’s First Internet Bash – The Grok

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Bridgette Paton-Tapsell
Botica Conroy and Associates
021 403 501
bridgettep@bca.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST INTERNET BASH – THE GROK

Auckland – 8 August 2000 "The magazine business is entirely about throwing a good party. If you're a good host, people want to know who you know and they want to go where you're going." John Battelle, CEO, The Industry Standard (age 34)
There has never been an industry like the Internet industry. It is pervasive, creative and challenging, and it changes fast. If you've been in the business five years, you're an old hand.

It also has a demographic like you've never seen before. Smart young people are out there making commercial and creative decisions.

IDGNet NZ, the online arm of IDG Communications, and the industry's daily source of news, comment and information, decided that what was missing was a decent party. After all, this isn't your Dad's industry, so why endure your Dad's dine and dance?

Enter The Grok*.

Part of the inspiration for The Grok came from another branch of IDG, the successful San Francisco-based Internet newsweekly The Industry Standard. Under the guidance of its 34-year-old CEO John Battelle, the Industry Standard made its name with rooftop "dot-com" parties that brought together Silicon Valley's technologists, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists and showed them a good time.

The Grok is not quite the same as The Standard's parties. It's not on a roof, for one thing. But mainly, it is different because it has been shaped by New Zealand people and companies.

IDGNet has produced The Grok in conjunction with sponsors representing some of the key forces in the local industry - including WebMedia, Unlimited magazine, W&H Interactive, Sun Microsystems, Octane Creative Services, Vodafone, Nielsen//NetRatings, Personnel Best and Tradenz.

The first event of its kind in New Zealand, The Grok is both a showcase and an opportunity for the industry - from ad agencies to modem makers – to meet and network.

Partygoers will hear two top-notch keynote speakers: TechPacific.com's Ilyas Kahn, whose Hong Kong-based venture capital firm has already begun to invest here; and Telstra's Peter Williamson, in his first public appearance here since he was whisked away from the top job at Telstra New Zealand to run the company's American operations. And, of course, they'll dance to one of the best DJ lineups to be seen in Auckland this year.

Around 300 industry identities have registered as Grok VIPs and are being sent Sun Microsystems smartcards that will offer them entry and other privileges. Hundreds more have purchased tickets to the event from the WebMedia-designed Grok site.

The Grok will be held at the Wintergarden, Auckland, from 7pm till late, on Friday August 11. Very limited tickets are available for $40 from The Grok Website at http://www.thegrok.co.nz.

* GROK: "To understand so thoroughly that the observer becomes part of the
observed - to merge, blend, intermarry, to lose identity in the group
experience."
(From the 1961 novel by Robert A. Heinlein, 'Stranger in a Strange Land')

About IDGNet:

IDG Communications Ltd is part of the world's largest supplier of
information services for information technology and the Internet. In New
Zealand, its interests span publishing, Internet, research, and events. Its
products include Computerworld, Unlimited, IDGNet NZ, and PC World.

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