Alice in Arlington—The Trademark Administrators and Practitioners Meeting Returns in 2022

INTA has officially announced the return of the Trademark Administrators and Practitioners (TMAP) Meeting after a three-year hiatus due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 TMAP will take place in Arlington, Virginia, USA, from September 11 to 13.

Featuring speakers from about a dozen countries, the educational program is themed around Alice in Wonderland, the 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll. The project team, led by Co-Chairs Mandy Lutz (Armstrong Teasdale LLP, USA) and Jan Gerd Mietzel (RMW&C Mietzel Wohlnick & Calheiros Partnerschaft mbB, Germany), have designed a program to provide registrants—hundreds of trademark administrators, paralegals, young practitioners, and professionals who manage a global trademark portfolio—with the knowledge and tools to tackle essential trademark and brand-related issues in today’s ever-evolving legal environment.

Educational sessions will cover key developments in trademark law and best practices in brand protection. This includes emerging topics like the metaverse and brand influencers, as well as updates on bad-faith filings, designs and copyrights, alternative dispute resolution, and domains.

In a press release issued by INTA today, INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo noted how the 2022 TMAP recognizes the enormous contributions and evolving roles of trademark administrators.

“In managing and maintaining trademark portfolios and other daily responsibilities, these non-attorney professionals are the glue that holds together portfolios. It is critical for organizations to invest in them, from training to career advancement, and utilize their skills to bolster the entire legal team,” he said.

To this end, additional sessions will cover practical topics such as managing large trademark projects, collaborating effectively with outside counsel and clients, and utilizing technology.

In line with INTA’s emphasis on professional development in its 2022–2025 Strategic Plan, the 2022 TMAP will have a greater focus than previous gatherings on professional development, with discussions on career paths; leadership opportunities through the Association’s Women’s LeadershIP Initiative; and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and related issues in the workplace.

Complementing the educational program, the Meeting will feature myriad Business Development opportunities. These include social and volunteer activities, networking opportunities, and the Brand Marketplace exhibition hall. The social events will take advantage of the locale. For example, on Sunday, to kick off the Meeting, join your fellow registrants for a brunch cruise on the Potomac River, and a Dine-Around later that evening.

For the 2022 TMAP, INTA has put in place precautions related to COVID-19 and its variants and will adjust the guidelines as appropriate to prioritize attendees’ health and safety. In addition, the host venue, the Crystal Gateway Marriott, has implemented various new protocols and elevated practices in response to the pandemic.

Early-bird pricing is available through July 22. Registration is open. Sponsorship/exhibition opportunities are available.

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. 

© 2022 International Trademark Association