A Look at What’s Ahead at the 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+

2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+ With member registration opening in just a few weeks for INTA’s 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+, it’s time to take a sneak peek into the hybrid format and see what’s in store for attendees of the five-day virtual component as well as the in-person mini-conferences in four cities.

The Meeting

The Meeting will be held from November 15 to 19 and features a robust virtual program over five days and one-day in-person mini-conferences in four cities—Hong Kong SAR, China (November 15), New York, New York, USA (November 16), Berlin, Germany (November 17), and Los Angeles, California, USA (November 18).

The virtual program includes a dynamic mix of educational sessions, Business Development opportunities, committee meetings, and social activities. Each day introduces a different education track tied to a theme:

Building a Better Society Through Brands—Monday, November 15
The Business of Brands—Tuesday, November 16
Enforcement and Anticounterfeiting—Wednesday, November 17
Innovation and the Future of IP—Thursday, November 18
Regional Updates—Friday, November 19

The tracks include panel sessions, Capsule Keynotes, workshops, and Idea Exchanges. The themes will also be woven into Business Development activities each day.

At the onsite mini-conferences, attendees will participate in discussion forums and networking activities, and end the day with an INTA-hosted reception.

Registration

Member registration for the 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+ will open on July 14. Non-member registration will open on August 16. The last date to register is October 29.

Pricing Structure

This year’s Meeting offers a tiered pricing structure, with specific access points for members and non-members.

Premium Access—Available exclusively for members from July 14 to August 13, at a fee of US $775. This access point presents exclusive early access to the virtual platform, special networking opportunities, exclusive benefits, and more! Premium Access provides the best benefits, the best price, and the best opportunity to secure seats at the first-come, first-served events and sessions, including the mini-conferences in the four cities.
Early Access—Available for members from August 14 through October 1, at a fee of US $875. It offers early access to the virtual platform and some additional benefits.
General Access—Available for members October 2 through October 29, at a fee of US $975.
Non-Member Registration—Available August 16 to October 29, at a fee of US $1,500.

Those interested in attending one or more mini-conferences must first register for the Annual Meeting per the price structure above, and then register for a mini-conference at a fee of US $300 per city (Berlin is US $300 + VAT). For example, for those attending one mini-conference, the additional fee is US $300; for those attending mini-conferences in two cities, the additional fee is US $600 ($300 per city + VAT for Berlin). There is no multi-city discount.

Each mini-conference has limited capacity so it is best to register early to secure a spot.

Registrants are eligible for refunds for the virtual portion and the mini-conferences if a refund is requested between July 15 and October 29.

Bulk Discounts

As in previous years, INTA will be offering a bulk discount for multiple registrations from the same umbrella organization. The bulk discount only applies to the registration for the virtual Annual Meeting; onsite mini-conference registrants will pay a US $300 fee per registrant per city, regardless of the number of members registered.

Corporate Members: For every three paid registrations for umbrella organization members, corporate members will get one free registration for the Meeting. For example, members that pay for three registrations will get one free registration; those that pay for six registrations will get two free registrations.
Associate Members: For every five paid registrations for umbrella organization members, associate members will get one free registration for the Meeting. For example, members that pay for five registrations will get one free registration; those that pay for ten registrations, will get two free registrations.

Committee Meetings

Committee meetings will be held on the virtual platform. Committee members must register for the Annual Meeting to attend their committee meetings.

Committee members assigned to the 2022‒2023 Committee Term may attend committee meetings. In addition, the program includes leadership development and other programming to help with the transition to committee leadership roles.

First-Come, First-Served

The in-person mini-conferences, as well as some virtual sessions, have limited capacity and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Virtual sessions with limited attendance include Table Topics, Corporate Table Topics, the Anticounterfeiting Workshop, the In-House Practitioners Workshop, and the TMA Idea Exchange.

Again, those interested in attending one or more mini-conferences should register during Premium Access.

“This Is Not Your Typical Meeting”

“We know that our Annual Meeting registrants have come to expect certain protocols,” said INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. “However, this Meeting is not your typical Annual Meeting. It marks a new and exciting format for us, and, as such, some of the procedures we have had in place at in-person events do not apply here.”

Most of all, for example, since this is not a fully in-person event, INTA has not reserved any hotel blocks or other overnight arrangements; it will be up to registrants of the onsite mini-conferences in the four cities to book their own accommodations.

In addition, new protocols may be forthcoming, such as requirements related to the in-person events given social distancing or other pandemic-related guidance in specific locales.

Although this Meeting is different, “it’s different in a good way,” Mr. Sanz de Acedo said. “We’ve proven that our virtual format works, with attendance at our recent virtual Leadership Meeting mirroring that of in-person ones and garnering outstanding reviews. Now, with the Annual Meeting, we’re adapting the virtual offering further to allow our community to also connect in person should they choose to do so.”

He added: “This unique hybrid model presents enormous opportunities to learn, network, and engage. Whether virtually or in person, it’s time to gather again. If you’re an active player in the brand and IP community, you cannot miss the 2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+.”

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 Annual Meeting