This document summarizes the opening remarks from several speakers at the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) Conference 15 held in Daegu, South Korea. Prof. Lori Kendall from the University of Illinois welcomed attendees. Prof. Han Woo Park from Yeungnam University also welcomed attendees and provided background on the conference being the first AoIR conference held in Asia. Mayor Kwon Youngjin of Daegu Metropolitan City officially welcomed attendees to Daegu and expressed hopes that the conference would provide guidance to develop Daegu's information and communication technology industry.

2. OOppeenniinngg RReemmaarrkkss
Prof. Lori Kendall
(University of Illinois, USA)

3. WWeellccoommiinngg AAddddrreessss
Prof. Han Woo Park
(Yeungnam University, Korea)

4. Virtual Knowledge Studio (VKS)
Welcome to Daegu , “tay-goo”
- The First AoIR Conference in Asia
Full Prof. Dr. Han Woo PARK
Cyber Emotions Research Center
Dept. of Media & Communication
YeungNam University
214-1 Dae-dong, Gyeongsan-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do 712-749
Republic of Korea
www.hanpark.net
cerc.yu.ac.kr
eastasia.yu.ac.kr
asia-triplehelix.org

5. What were the AoIR meant to
me?
• In 2001, Alex Halavais
came to the School of
Informatics at the State
Univ. of New York at
Buffalo
• We were the same age
and used to hang out
together

6. What were the AoIR meant to
me?
• Paul Wouters approached
me afterwards and asked
about job interview
• I started working for
Networked Research and
Digital Information
(NERDI), NIWI-KNAW
that was a forerunner of
the Virtual Knowledge
Studio in the Netherlands

7. What were the AoIR meant to
me?
• Longtime collaboration
since “The Internet and
National Elections: A
Comparative Study of
Web Campaigning”
• When she recommended
the IR15 and I accepted
without reservation or
hesitation

8. And now, AoIR in Daegu!

9. And now, AoIR in Daegu!

10. Our Planning
• Created detailed proposal
• Worked closely with AoIR Executive Committee
on all details
– Lots of email! Lots of documents sent/received
• Discussed and planned conference with local
government and business leaders
And the result…..

11. Acknowledgements
• Daegu Convention
Visitors Bureau
• Dexco Corporation
• Asia Triple-Helix Society
• Cyber Emotions
Research Center
• The IMC
• Daegu.com
• 류은영 MMN(Milds Music
Network)

12. Thank you for coming to IR15
in Daegu! Safe travel to you!

13. Share your experience on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/globaldgp https://www.facebook.com/disckorea

14. • San Francisco turns into Gotham city for Batkid
• Young-Jin KWON, mayor of Daegu Metropolitan
City, will help make your wishes and dreams
come true

15. WWeellccoommiinngg AAddddrreessss
Kwon, Youngjin
(The Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City)

16. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Kwon, Youngjin and I am the mayor of
Daegu Metropolitan City.
First of all, I would like to express my sincere
congratulations on successful opening of Internet
Research 15 conference.

17. I'd also like to extend my warm welcome to all the
participants from all over the world including
Dr. Lori Kendall, President of AoIR.
Especially, I would like to thank Prof. Han-woo Park,
the president of Asia Triple-Helix Society, for
organizing this conference.

18. I feel very pleased and meaningful that this highly
qualified conference is being held in Daegu, Korea
that is known as an internet powerhouse in the
world for the first time in Asia.
During this conference, I understand that eminent
internet experts discuss internet contents and
report the outcome of its research that can be
applied to ICT industry and policies.

19. Meanwhile, technologies have been a major
approach to develop ICT industry. However, this
conference is very inspiring, because contents area
of the industry is mainly focused on and discussed,
so I believe that this can be further developed and
promoted as one sector of creative industry.

20. As your continuous enthusiasm and efforts have led
the development of global ICT, it would be our great
privilege witnessing your passionate discussion in
lifting the level of world ICT industry.
In addition, your advice regarding the industrial
directions for the future of Daegu will be greatly
appreciated. And I expect your continuous interests
and guidelines for Daegu will help my city to become a
leading city of ICT industry in Korea.

21. Dear participants of IR 15!
As the 3rd largest city in Korea with 2.5 million
population, Daegu is a city of an entrepreneurial
spirit, where Samsung started its first business.
Also, as a leading city of Korean industrialization, it
has well-developed industries, such as Textile,
Machinery and Automobile Parts industry.

22. I wholeheartedly hope that you will have meaningful
memories and experience the colorful Daegu with
harmonized cultures between tradition and modernism.
Also, I wish the IR15 success and the ICT industry
huge progress.
Thank you!

23. PPeerrffoorrmmaannccee
RUN
Percussion Performance

24. DDiinnnneerr