i2Coalition 2026 Internet Leadership Awards Ceremony & Reception

Honoring the visionaries building and defending the open Internet. Date & Time 📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026 2-Part Event 🕓 9:00-9:30 AM ET- Champion of the Internet Award: U.S. Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA) 🕓 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET- Special Lifetime Achievement in Internet Infrastructure Award, Ron Yokubaitis Internet Community Leadership Award and Karl Zimmerman Internet Entrepreneur Award Location 📍 CTA Innovation House, 21 D St SE, Washington, D.C. Ticket Price 🎟️ $35 – Includes admission, refreshments, and supports our ongoing Internet advocacy work (Note: If you are already registered for the i2Coalition Congressional Fly-In, the Awards Ceremony and reception are included.) About the Event Honoring the visionaries building and defending the open Internet, the annual i2Coalition Internet Leadership Awards bring together Internet infrastructure leaders, policymakers, and advocates for an afternoon of celebration, networking, and reflection. Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people who shape the Internet. The i2Coalition Internet Leadership Awards are the inspiring conclusion to our annual Congressional Fly-In, recognizing those whose work has made the Internet a better place for everyone. This year’s event will bring together Internet infrastructure leaders, policymakers, advocates, and visionaries—just steps from the Capitol—for an afternoon of celebration, networking, and reflection. 2026 Award Recipients We are excited to announce the winner of this year’s Champion of the Internet Award: U.S. Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA). Representative Trahan has represented Massachusetts’ 3rd Congressional District since 2019 and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She is a leader in the most consequential federal information technology policy debates before Congress, including artificial intelligence, data privacy, and online safety, and works on a bipartisan basis toward practical and effective policy solutions. You will meet Representative Trahan on September 17 at the Congressional Fly-In as well as our other honorees: Special Lifetime Achievement in Internet Infrastructure Award: Emmit McHenry, founder of Network Solutions Ron Yokubaitis Internet Community Leadership Award: James Bladel, PRSM Advisors (former GoDaddy executive, former i2Coalition Board Chair) Karl Zimmerman Internet Entrepreneur Award: Ray King, co-founder of Top Level Design Why Attend? This gathering is more than an awards ceremony—it’s a chance to connect with some of the most influential voices in our industry and to share food, drinks, and conversation with colleagues and friends. It’s a VERY different feeling than a working group meeting—it’s about community, recognition, and inspiration. Your ticket directly supports i2Coalition’s policy and advocacy work, helping us protect and strengthen the open, secure, and innovative Internet we all rely on. ✨ Don’t miss this chance to celebrate what we’ve built together—and what we must still protect.