Leadership Meeting Business Development Opportunities Intersect Work and Personal Life

The 2023 Leadership Meeting will take place in Houston, Texas, USA, November 14–17, 2023. Houston, a center for U.S. space exploration activity, is also home to the largest medical center in the world. Well known as a leader in global energy and digital technology and innovation, Houston is also famous for its diverse food scene and southern hospitality. This year’s Leadership Meeting program emphasizes a holistic and balanced approach to the brand professional’s career progression. Between extensive Business Development (BD) events, workshops, and social gatherings, this year’s program focuses on the harmony of work and personal life, all set against the beautiful backdrop of a thriving, cosmopolitan city.

Accelerate Your Professional Development

Professional development–focused labs and workshops offer registrants the opportunity to gain new skills and hear fresh perspectives—to become stronger, better informed, more empathetic leaders.

Opportunities to advance your professional development include the Build Your Brand: Finding, Establishing, and Growing Your Network workshop on Tuesday, November 14. The workshop offers participants a fresh perspective from a professional coach who understands the demands of working in the legal field. Attendees will walk away with immediately actionable strategies to help them attract a network of people they can rely on to help navigate their professional careers. Pre-registration and an additional fee are required.

The two-part Finance for Non-Finance Legal Professionals Program workshop series (held on Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16) will guide participants through several chapters of the program, providing critical foundational information on the topic of finance for all intellectual property (IP) professionals and students. Capacity is limited to 75 registrants and is at capacity.

During The Women’s LeadershIP Initiative workshop on How to Build and Future-Proof Your Team Through Times of Change, taking place on Thursday, November 16, registrants will hear from industry experts on what steps you can take to prepare your team for the transformative effects of social, political, economic, and technological disruptors. What leadership roles are available in this self-empowering phenomenon? What can leaders do to hire and retain talent, particularly women? This program has limited capacity. Pre-registration and an additional registration fee are required.

Both current and incoming committee leaders will have the opportunity to attend Leadership Labs to enhance their leadership skills. Incoming Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs can attend a Training Session where they’ll hear tips, share best practices, and access resources to help them navigate their new roles and responsibilities. Meanwhile, current Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Subcommittee Chairs are invited to a Wrap-Up Session of the 2022–2023 Committee Term, where they’ll discuss how to best manage, support, and guide the transition to the 2024–2025 Committee Term. Sessions of both Leadership Labs will be offered on Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16.

Support Communities in Need—and Feel Good Doing It!

Commitment to community service and uplifting diverse voices can have a significant impact on a brand professional’s personal reputation. They are opportunities to experience the joy of giving back, empathize, build character, and help make the world a better place.

Give back to the community of Houston during the Houston Food Bank BD excursion. Registrants will volunteer to sort and pack boxes of food in support of the Houston Food Bank. Capacity is limited. Pre-registration and an additional registration fee are required.

Registrants are also invited to the INTA Foundation Barbie-Themed Fundraiser on November 16. The event will celebrate the magic of Barbie and the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Donations will directly benefit the INTA Foundation Fellowship Program, which promotes DEI in the study or practice of trademark protection and IP law. Pre-registration is required. A minimum contribution of $50 is kindly requested to secure your spot.

Three Questions with John Bathke

John Bathke (Phillips & Bathke, P.C., Chicago, USA) hit the ground running at his first Leadership Meeting in 2022 by participating in eight of the 12 available add-on activities! Here he shares what he gained from the experience and his advice for first-time Leadership Meeting registrants:

What inspired you to participate in so many add-on events at the 2022 Leadership Meeting in Miami?
This was my first Leadership Meeting and I thought my time would be well spent participating in INTA-sponsored events, such as Business Development excursions. In my experience, the best way to make lasting connections is to meet people while trying something new.

What were the benefits of participating in these activities, both personally and professionally?
Participating in BD events allowed me to create meaningful relationships with fellow registrants, who I look forward to seeing again at future INTA events. I also got to enjoy exploring the host city, Miami, and got some exercise.

What advice do you have for fellow INTA members on how to make the most out of add-on events at the 2023 Leadership Meeting
Being open-minded means trying something new and going outside your comfort zone. If you are able, I encourage you to sign up for several different events. They really help you get to know people, including the INTA staff.

Nurture Your Health

Several BD events provide opportunities to get active while you build your network. Sports and recreational activities can create lasting bonds with new contacts—and can become the basis for lasting friendships and healthy habits.

Zumba Fitness, held on Wednesday, November 15, will add a little fun to your fitness routine! Bumpy Pickle, also held on Wednesday, November 15, allows you to join in on the fastest growing sport in the country: pickleball. Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned professional, Bumpy Pickle is the perfect opportunity to get active and have fun,

The Guided Walk/Runs, held on Thursday, November 16, and Friday, November 17, are designed to get your heart pumping. Registrants may also participate in or cheer on the Futbol/Soccer Match held on Friday, November 17.

Playtime Party, held on Friday, November 17, is an event for all ages that will bring families together for an afternoon of games, food, laughter, and cherished memories. Gather your loved ones for a special opportunity to play and connect.

Unleash your inner lumberjack and attend BATL Axe Throwing on Friday, November 17.

Feed Your Mind (and Stomach!)

Programming for 2023 Leadership Meeting also includes many opportunities to network and engage with other registrants during exciting activities set in and around Houston, some of which take advantage of the city’s excellent food scene.

Experience the culture of Houston through Explore Houston on Monday, November 13, or the Art Car Museum excursion on Thursday, November 16. Enjoy spooky stories while sipping spirits in historic downtown Houston during a Haunted Pub Tour on Friday, November 17.

Programming also allows you to experience the vast cuisine of Houston at The Dine Around Series at the Marriott Marquis on Wednesday, November 15. Take advantage of the unique mixology of the area at a tour of the Yellow Rose Distillery on Wednesday, November 15, and at a Mixology Class at the Mariott Marquis on Thursday, November 16.

How To Register for Add-On Events

When registering for the 2023 Leadership Meeting, follow the prompts to select the events you wish to add to your registration.

If you have already registered for the Meeting and would like to register for add-on events, then please follow the instructions below:

Visit your INTA profile and the list of registered events here.
Under 2023 Leadership Meeting registration, click “Details.”
Under order details, click the blue +Add Session button and continue through the registration wizard to add desired session(s).
Need more help? Contact us!

Many add-on events may already be sold out. Please be sure to register in advance so you don’t miss out.

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.

Topics Leadership Meeting