Halfway through the event, in rapid succession, at least four globe-shaped ice carvings toppled over on banquet tables, spilling wine and splattering mashed potatoes. Luckily, Cheney had already finished his speech and made an exit. This year's NVTC event stressed the crucial role the region plays in the world's growing Internet economy. Cheney appeared to be among friends in the crowd of 900 tech executives, and he didn't disappoint them. He promised a hands-off approach to regulating the Internet and said he would push Congress to enact legislation this year extending the controversial moratorium on Internet taxes.
Government provides the framework for prosperity to happen.
John Backus, the NVTC's chairman and managing partner at Reston venture capital firm Draper Atlantic, said Cheney's promise to support the Internet Tax Moratorium was the highlight of the event. Backus echoed Cheney's concern over the California energy crisis and managed to get in an indirect plug for one of his portfolio companies, Outbounder, an Alexandria startup that develops next generation messaging technology. John Morton III, Bank of America's Mid-Atlantic president, was more blatant. Called to the podium to introduce Cheney, he spent a couple of minutes extolling the virtues of the bank. Maybe it was Cheney's visit or perhaps it was because of the somber state of the economy in recent months.