Register Early, Reap the Most Benefits for the 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+

Buy early. Buy in bulk. These are the suggested strategies to get the most value from both a price and experience perspective for the 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+. Registration for members opens on July 14 for the world’s preeminent intellectual property event, which will take place from November 15 to 19.

The 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+ showcases a unique hybrid format that includes five robust days of virtual programming—educational sessions featuring five topic tracks, Business Development and other networking opportunities, and social activities—plus the chance to meet in person at one-day mini-conferences in four cities—Hong Kong SAR, China, on November 15; New York, New York, USA, on November 16; Berlin, Germany, on November 17; and Los Angeles, California, USA, on November 18.

For the virtual Meeting, INTA is offering different prices and promotions based on the time of registration and the number of paid registrations from the same umbrella organization. For the in-person mini-conferences, attendees must register first for the virtual Meeting and then register separately for each mini-conference, at a fee of $300 per city.

As the opening day of registration nears, excitement is intensifying about reconnecting with the INTA community—whether virtually and/or in person.

Elisabeth Stewart Bradley (Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA), for one, said she is looking forward to attending the 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+ along with several of her colleagues at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). She’ll also be at the mini-conference in New York.

“Because of the extremely cost-effective nature of the virtual+ format, BMS is sending more colleagues this year than we have to in-person Annual Meetings,” she said. “This is such a terrific opportunity for us to experience high-quality educational content, obtain CLE credit, build our leadership skills, see long-term friends, and make new connections.”

Under the tiered pricing structure for the virtual Meeting, members can select Premium Access, available from July 14 to August 13, which offers members the lowest registration fee and the highest number of benefits; Early Access, August 14 to October 1, which features the second-best registration fee and benefits package; and General Access, October 2 to October 29. October 29 is the final day of registration.

So, why rush in at the Premium Access level when registration opens? First, this offers first-come, first-served access to events with limited attendance, including the in-person mini-conferences as well as Table Topics, Corporate Table Topics, Idea Exchanges, and workshops on the virtual platform. The latter attendance limits are conducive to small group or one-on-one networking and discussions.

Second, Premium Access carries a registration fee of US $775, which is US $100 less than Early Access and $200 less than General Access. And third, the benefits are bountiful, including exclusive Business Development events, early access to INTAconnect—the matchmaking and scheduling tool, and a “surprise” Thank You benefit.

For members who miss Premium Access, Early Access is the next best bet. This tier’s registration fee is $875, a US $100 savings off General Access; and benefits that similarly include exclusive Business Development events, early access to INTAconnect, and a Thank You benefit.

Under General access, members’ registration fee is US $975.

Premium Access Benefits	Early Access Benefits	General Access Benefits
First-come, first-served registration for mini-conferences
Save US $200 (compared to General Access)	Save US $100 (compared to General Access)
Thank you benefit	Thank you benefit
Exclusive Business Development events	Exclusive Business Development events
Early access: INTAconnect and virtual platform	Early access: INTAconnect and virtual platform
Social media package	Social media package	Social media package

The virtual Meeting pricing and benefits above are available exclusively to members. Learn more and join today.

All three members-only registration tiers include a social media package—visual assets and suggested posts that registrants can leverage to promote their attendance at the Annual Meeting Virtual+. These tools can help them connect, and book meetings in INTAconnect before the event itself even gets off the ground.

In addition, INTA is offering an incentive for what amounts to a group purchase. Members can both save more and enhance their team experience by bringing multiple colleagues from the same umbrella organization to the virtual portion of the Meeting. The more people, the greater the savings. For example, corporate members receive one free registration for every three paid registrations; associate members receive one free registration for every five paid registrations.

This bulk registration offer applies in increments of three and five, respectively, for the virtual component only. It is not available for the in-person events.

Some members, from various industries and regions, have already indicated their intent to show up in force.

Axel Nordemann (Nordemann Czychowski & Partner, Berlin, Germany) and four or five of his colleagues plan to be at the virtual Meeting and to welcome registrants at the in-person mini-conference in the law firm’s home city.

“We believe the Annual Meeting also in a Virtual+ format gives a great opportunity to learn, network, and interact with colleagues from all over the world,” he said, adding that he’s “excited that one of the mini-conferences is taking place in Berlin [on November 17].” Mr. Nordemann himself also expects to be on the ground at the New York mini-conference.

Each in-person mini-conference will feature educational panel presentations and discussion forums on timely and engaging topics, including some that match the themed tracks of the Meeting’s virtual component. The day will also showcase networking breaks so registrants can organically connect and reconnect with colleagues, and it will close with an INTA-hosted reception.

For non-members, registration for the virtual Meeting will be open from August 16 to October 29, at a fee of US $1,500.

Non-members can reap the benefits of lower registration fees and bulk pricing by becoming a member of INTA prior to registering for the Annual Meeting Virtual+.

All registrants need to book their own accommodations if they are attending an in-person mini-conference and planning to stay overnight. INTA does not have any hotel blocks or other overnight arrangements in the four cities; this provides registrants with the flexibility to stay at their preferred location.

With changes in the ongoing status of the pandemic and with fluctuating government travel restrictions and social distancing requirements, the Association is continuing to monitor the situation in the cities with in-person mini-conferences and will make any necessary changes to plans to ensure the health and safety of registrants.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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