Webcasting can dramatically extend the reach of many types of meetings, but surprisingly the technology is still the domain of early adopters. In theory, most conference organizers are interested in reproducing the content of their meetings and broadcasting it to a wider audience, as long as it can be done with little or no extra cost, says Dan Rayburn, executive vice president of New York City-based Streaming Media Inc. "But not as many are taking advantage of [Internet-based] streaming media technology as they should."However, some companies, including Peoria, IL-based Caterpillar Inc., have adopted Webcasting technology with excellent results. Caterpillar is exploring all its streaming-media options, thanks to its longtime program manager, Gus Otto. Otto has used Webcasting as an internal communications tool for about three years, and in March, he set up the company's first external Webcast, at the ConExpo– Con/Agg show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The experience has made him even more of a believer in the technology. "[The success of our Webcast] was overwhelming," Otto says. "We averaged 13,000 online views a day from people outside the company, and we didn't even do any advertising. It was all word of mouth."