INTA News
Networking Shines at INTA’s 2025 Leadership Meeting
Published: October 1, 2025
INTA’s Leadership Meeting is an invitation-only event that brings together the Association’s most engaged members to advance its mission and strategic priorities. The Meeting serves to strengthen collaboration among INTA’s member volunteers—those serving on the Board of Directors, and across the various committees and project teams. It also provides a platform and an advanced-level educational program for registrants to engage in critical conversations about global intellectual property (IP) issues, policies, and trends, and to shape the future of the IP landscape.
The Leadership Meeting is also an opportunity to do business. Held every November, it is a unique networking and Business Development (BD) opportunity for Associate Members to meet with prospective clients and for Corporate Members to meet with their outside counsel from around the world.
1,244 registrants from 77 jurisdictions have already signed up for the 2025 Leadership Meeting, taking place November 18–21, 2025, in Hollywood, Florida, USA—a vibrant coastal city nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The Meeting features curated BD programming that takes advantage of the Sunshine State’s pleasant climate and geography, educational offerings that encourage engagement and discussion, as well as opportunities to give back while networking.
Get Out and Connect | BD Excursions
Business Development excursions provide an opportunity for registrants to experience our host city’s culture, cuisine, and natural beauty in a relaxed setting. Designed to appeal to a variety of interests, these excursions allow registrants to strengthen bonds with colleagues and prospective clients through meaningful shared experiences.
“BD excursions are all about making connections that go beyond the meeting room,” said Sacha Colquhoun, INTA’s Senior Manager for Business Development. “It’s your chance to get out in the sun, get moving, and immerse yourself in the local culture, all while creating memories with other registrants. Why not make it even more impactful? Invite a prospective client to join you for an experience that blends business with adventure!”
This year’s BD program includes a range of memorable excursions in the following categories:
Adventure, Sports, and Exploration
- Open Golf Outing: A perennial favorite, the golf outing invites registrants to tee off with peers and clients in a relaxed but competitive setting. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a casual player, the event offers ample opportunity for conversation and collaboration.
- Everglades Explorer: Airboat Ride & Up-Close Wildlife Moments: Enjoy a journey through Florida’s breathtaking wetlands, where you’ll connect with fellow registrants while exploring the remote beauty of the Everglades—and encounter the region’s iconic alligators up close.
- Paddle Board Adventure in Fort Lauderdale: Registrants will see a combination of mansions, mega yachts, sail boats, marine and bird life, and little hidden secrets on this easy leisure paddle trip while soaking up the sunshine.
- Fort Lauderdale Sandbar Getaway—Private Yacht Charter: On this visit to a naturally formed gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, registrants will cruise out to the sandbar to relax, mingle, swim, and make unforgettable memories under the Florida sun.
- Kayak Glow in the Dark Tour: This peaceful twilight kayaking experience is perfect for all skill levels. Registrants will feel the evening breeze, soak in the stunning colors of the sky, and connect with nature.
- Float & Flex: Water Aerobics: After a long week of meetings, this refreshing, low-impact workout is the perfect way to move, recharge, and connect with colleagues in a fun, lighthearted atmosphere. Registrants can share laughs, swap stories, and strengthen professional connections, right in the pool!
Art, Food, and Culture
- Savor the City: A Food Tasting Experience: A knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide will lead registrants through the heart of Fort Lauderdale, sharing fascinating stories, local art, cultural gems, and historical highlights as you sample a full meal’s worth of delicious bites at handpicked local restaurants.
- Wynwood Street Art Tour: Registrants can explore Miami’s vibrant Wynwood Art District through a guided golf cart tour of street art, hidden murals, and public installations. This tour provides a relaxed setting for conversation and connection while showcasing the region’s creative energy.
- Little Havana Cocktail Tour: Step into the vibrant soul of Miami’s Cuban heritage as you savor authentic dishes from beloved, family-owned eateries and experience the flavors, stories, and traditions that define this iconic neighborhood.
- A Journey Through Local Bites & Culture: Discover a mix of hidden gems and beloved local favorites across five delicious stops, sampling everything from hearty bites to tapas-style dishes on a guided walk, taking in the vibrant street art and the outdoor murals of the renowned Downtown Hollywood Mural Project.
Relax and Recharge
- Meditation Sound Bath: Echoes of Serenity: Start your day with a soothing immersion in sound and stillness: where sounds will guide you into a state of total relaxation and inner harmony. Following this session, registrants will start their day of meetings refreshed, focused, and ready to shine.
- Relax, Refresh, & Reconnect: Spa Day Experience: Registrants will soak, steam, and unwind while mingling with like-minded professionals in a serene setting.
All BD sessions are paid events with limited capacity, and preregistration is required. These experiences are designed to maximize interaction and ensure that participants leave with new connections and actionable insights.
Network While You Learn | Bootcamps, Idea Exchanges, Labs, and More
Beyond the social calendar, the Leadership Meeting features interactive sessions designed to develop new skills, share ideas, and spark discussion.
This Meeting will include two Leadership Labs, where committee leaders, both current and incoming, hear tips and share best practices on guiding their committees through a successful transition to a new committee term.
“Both Leadership Labs are designed to assist committee chairs, vice chairs, and subcommittee chairs in becoming more effective leaders through interactive, think-tank style sessions, which are great opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from fellow committee leaders and members,” said 2025 Leadership Meeting Co-Chair Karen Brennan (CKE Restaurants, USA). “Committee chairs, subcommittee chairs, and project team chairs can attend these sessions and learn from other leaders.”
The two-day Finance for Non-Finance Legal Professionals Certificate Program Workshop offers intellectual property (IP) professionals an opportunity to gain deeper understanding of the financial aspects of managing brands. Registrants will receive in-person instruction on all ten chapters of the course and will then be eligible to take the online tests and final examination after the Leadership Meeting at their convenience. “The combination of the online resources and the in-person instruction really work well together,” said Commercialization of Brands Committee Vice Chair Brian Buss (GlassRatner, USA), one of the course’s instructors. “You get the in-person experience, and then you can dive deeper and take the online course to solidify these concepts and learn more.”
The Law Firm Idea Exchange on “Developing, Integrating, and Evaluating Talent” will address how to align talent strategies with firm values and long-term goals, ensuring a cohesive approach that supports both individual career paths and the broader success of the firm. Through discussion, law firm leaders will gain strategic insights and practical tools for managing the full talent lifecycle, integrating new talent into firm culture, fostering professional growth, and evaluating performance in ways that drive engagement and results.
Alumni of the INTA Board of Directors are invited to the INTA Board Alumni Idea Exchange, a dedicated forum to reconnect, share insights, and explore timely topics relevant to their continued leadership in the IP community.
There will be two invitation-only Leadership Bootcamps titled “Trust and Resilience—Essential Elements of Effective Leadership.” These high-energy, interactive sessions will explore skills and practices to add to your leadership toolkit.
Giving Back | Networking Around Good Causes
Thursday night brings an opportunity to give back at the INTA Foundation Reception (5:00 pm–6:30 pm). Your participation in this glamorous evening inspired by the golden age of Old Hollywood will help advance the Foundation’s mission to empower diverse and underrepresented populations worldwide by fostering educational and professional development opportunities in the IP field. There is a minimum contribution of US $100.
The INTA & GLINTA Fundraiser for PRISM (6:30 pm–8:00 pm) immediately follows the INTA Foundation Reception. The Association is once again collaborating with PRISM to host a special fundraiser dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community. This event is an opportunity for the IP community to come together and help raise funds for initiatives that advance belonging and inclusion. Tickets are US $100 per person, with all proceeds donated directly to PRISM.
Both events require pre-registration. Spaces are limited.
Make the Meeting Your Own | Affiliate Events
If your company or firm is interested in hosting its own event in Hollywood during the Leadership Meeting, the Association requests that you complete the Affiliate Events Form prior to scheduling events or meetings in order to avoid schedule conflicts with official INTA events.
A (Warm and Sunny) Platform for Global Engagement
“Networking is such an important aspect of the Meeting, whether you’re making new contacts or just spending time with people you already know well,” said 2025 Leadership Meeting Co-Chair Jonathan Clegg (Cleveland Scott York, United Kingdom). “Hollywood is full of great places to take people out for a drink or dinner. It’s an ideal venue, especially for those of us from colder climates looking for some sunshine in November.”
Registrants are encouraged to attend the Opening and Awards Ceremonies (4:30 pm–6:00 pm) and Welcome and Awards Reception (6:00 pm–8:00 pm) on Tuesday, November 18, and the Closing Cocktails on Friday, November 21 (3:00 pm–4:00 pm), to celebrate the 2025 award winners and a successful committee term with friends and peers from around the world.
With registrants representing diverse industries and jurisdictions, the Leadership Meeting serves as a global platform for engagement. Whether through a paddleboarding session, a finance workshop, or a sunset cocktail, registrants will find countless opportunities to build relationships that matter.