Since this is your first streaming experience, I suggest you look into a company called IDoStream, they provide a simple and elegant software interface to either Windows Media Encoder or the Flash Media Encoder. Basically, all you need is a camera with Firewire, a computer with their software installed and a connection to the Internet. I use them a few times a month and just got finished streaming an entire three-day conference to a very large, global audience.

IDoStream's primary business is webcasting weddings over the Internet, but they do corporate stuff, too. You can even rent a pre-configured laptop from them, including a cell modem, you just plug in a camcorder and go. The service is dead simple to use and their prices are reasonable. I've been able to make a tidy profit on these webcasts, it's been an additional revenue stream which has required virtually no additional effort on my part. In fact, it's been so profitable that I'm about to buy a Newtek Tricaster to do more elaborate multi-camera webcasts.

Go to their website and check out their FAQ, the prices listed are retail. If you get on the approved videographers list, you get a substantial discount and can charge whatever you like. Yes, there are potentially cheaper ways to do this, but none as simple and reliable to use. It's a small company with highly personalized service. I like that just fine.

http://www.idostream.com/

If you call them, talk to Philip and mention my name.