DCI 's operations wound down in the early 2000s after its founder , George Schussel , and former president , Ron Gomes had retired from the business . The precipitous decline of the NASDAQ market in 2000 was the first indicator that DCI 's business model had peaked . More users sought to obtain information from the Internet instead of DCI 's conferences as the first decade in the 21st century began . In addition , after the 9/11/2001 World Trade disaster , people immediately drastically reduced their travel to conferences . At its peak the company had employed 180 staff , although the typical employment total in the 1990s was around 120 . In July , 2004 DCI ceased operations as the final group of employees were relocated into new positions with successor firm , SharedInsights
9/11/2001 World Trade disaster
September 11 attacks
Digital Consulting Institute