This year, eBay Open 2025 is both in person and online as eBay celebrates its 30th birthday!
Thirty years ago, Pierre Omidyar spent Labor Day weekend coding AuctionWeb. This site allowed anyone to buy or sell items globally through bidding. For Pierre, it was an experiment in free market forces. For millions, it became a shopping destination and a way to make a living.
eBay OPEN 2025: A Brief Look at eBay’s History!
In 1995, the internet was mostly for government and military use. But the World Wide Web made it accessible to anyone with a modem. Americans flocked online to explore websites and email. Online shopping, though, was a new idea. Could people trust strangers with money and purchases?
Pierre launched AuctionWeb as an ecommerce prototype. The first item sold was a broken laser pointer. The buyer collected broken laser pointers, so the deal worked. Two decades later, that same laser pointer was gifted back to Pierre at eBay’s We Are Twenty conference. It was a classic eBay moment.
Early communication between users happened on bulletin boards!
This created a strong community and culture. Pierre also unintentionally sparked the idea of social media.
Jim “Griff” Griffith was a standout on these boards. Known for his humor and etiquette, Griff became AuctionWeb’s first customer service representative and remote employee.
In 1997, eBay introduced the Feedback Forum, encouraging transparency and trust. That same year, AuctionWeb officially became eBay.
eBay Grows and Innovates!
In 1998, eBay launched My eBay and went public. Global expansion followed in 1999, starting with sites in Germany, Australia, and the UK.
eBay Motors debuted in 2000. eBay University taught thousands how to sell successfully. eBay Stores launched in 2001, and Auction for America paved the way for charitable giving.
eBay Live! began in 2002, with events in cities like Orlando, Las Vegas, and San Jose. These conferences offered learning, networking, and entertainment, from celebrity performances to quirky traditions like roller-skating sock giveaways.
The Spirit of eBay Events!
From 2009-2015, eBay Radio kept the eBay Live! spirit alive. Regional conferences like eBay: On Location also connected sellers. In 2015, eBay returned to live events with We Are Twenty. eBay Open ran from 2016-2019 before shifting to virtual events during COVID-19.
Want to relive memories of past in-person eBay events? Check out my blog post, eBay Open 2024: eBay Seller Conferences Continue!
eBay Open 2024 eBay Seller Conferences Continue!
This year’s eBay Open 2025 celebrates 30 years with a hybrid format!
There’s a live event in Las Vegas and a virtual version. Online attendees will enjoy workshops, keynotes, and a virtual expo. In-person participants will meet executives like CEO Jamie Iannone, network with sellers, and collect exclusive eBay swag.
See the full agenda and speakers at eBay Open 2025. Whether you join from home or head to Vegas, eBay Open 2025 promises an unforgettable experience powered by its vibrant community.
