2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+ Mini-Conferences Offer Opportunity to Reconnect in Person

This year’s 2021 Annual Meeting introduces a new hybrid format: Virtual+, consisting of virtual programming from November 15 to 19, plus one-day in-person mini-conferences in several cities around the world. The “+” component builds on the educational and networking opportunities at the virtual Meeting and offers registrants the means to reconnect, learn, and network with peers in the same place, at the same time—and in person.

The day-long mini-conferences will take place in New York, New York, USA, on November 16; Berlin, Germany, on November 17; and Los Angeles, California, USA, on November 18. INTA has just released the locations of the mini-conferences: Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in New York; Berlin Marriott Hotel in Berlin; and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Due to pandemic-related local guidelines and social distancing requirements, the mini-conferences have limited capacity. Keeping in mind the health and safety of attendees at the in-person events, INTA has formulated a set of health and safety protocols, as well. Interested attendees must register first for the virtual Meeting in order to register for one or more mini-conferences, at an additional fee. Seats are filling up, so register now.

In the Asia-Pacific region, INTA will be holding one or more watch parties (to be announced) on November 15. The watch parties are another opportunity to network with peers in person. In addition, INTA will provide additional virtual programming in the Asia time zone to replace the originally announced mini-conference in Hong Kong SAR, China, which the Association cancelled due to local travel guidelines that would have significantly impacted attendance at the event. Details will be forthcoming.

Each mini-conference’s educational agenda will reflect a different theme and include opportunities for registrants to interact with the speakers and each other to further conversations on specific topics.

At the first mini-conference, in New York, programming recognizes that consumers today, more than ever, expect the brands they support to reflect their values. Navigating what brands mean to consumers and how to counsel business teams to ensure that actions and messaging are aligned is central to the role of the brand legal practitioner. Given this, the mini-conference will focus on brands from a business perspective and provide strategies to help registrants learn about and stay ahead of trends and to share best practices.

Among the sessions, Brands and Sustainability: What You Do and What You Say, will be high on the agenda. Here, brand practitioners will provide insight into what to do—and what you may not want to do—when supporting brand teams, corporate affairs, and communications teams in their corporate social responsibility and sustainability efforts.

At the mini-conference in Berlin, leading legal and business experts and government officials will share insights on how best to navigate the opportunities and challenges for brand owners doing business in Europe today. Whether understanding the legal and regulatory landscape or the evolving consumer expectations and norms, this event will delve into the latest developments in the law and practice and allow registrants to contribute their own learnings.

The programming will include topics such as Goods in Transit: Challenges in Stopping Counterfeit Goods; and Thinking Beyond Trademarks: The Importance of Designs and Copyrights.

Lastly, the Los Angeles mini-conference will be all about innovation, which has had a profound effect on our lives—how we live, work, and interact. Speakers will discuss recent changes, including technological ones, and offer predictions for the future. Registrants will walk away with helpful tips for their practice.

Among the sessions, one will take on the flavor of the Los Angeles area and focus on Innovation and the Entertainment Industry: Impact and Evolution. Leading business and legal experts in the entertainment industry will discuss topics such as the role of intellectual property (IP) in their industry and how best to leverage copyright and trademarks in their protection strategies; third party content; and the rise of reality stars in social media content.

At all three mini-conferences, in addition to the educational offerings, there will be plenty of time for organic in-person networking to reconnect with colleagues and cultivate new business relationships. Registrants can strike up conversations during coffee breaks, lunch, and a closing reception. More details will be listed shortly on inta.org.

Interested in other ways to connect in person? INTA has brought back its popular in-person Pre-Annual Meeting Receptions, offering the IP community a way to connect in advance and get excited about all the Annual Meeting Virtual+ has to offer.

These volunteer-hosted events have been taking place since July and will continue through the next two months in various cities around the world. Up next, for example, are Pre-Annual Meeting Receptions in Dubai, UAE on September 29 and Istanbul, Turkey on October 1.

Members interested in hosting a reception should complete this form.

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.

© 2021 International Trademark Association