Giving Back to Boston During INTA’s 2019 Annual Meeting

Today, brand owners and practitioners are more conscious than ever about the importance of building consumer trust and giving back to the community. This is also a priority for INTA. The 2019 Annual Meeting offers numerous opportunities for registrants to make a difference-through charitable initiatives and educational offerings that focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR).

INTA’s Annual Meeting, which takes place May 18‒22 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, provides a variety of ways to participate in projects that make a real difference to individuals and families in the Boston area-as well as educational sessions that focus on CSR. These programs align with one of the key pillars of INTA’s 2018‒2021 Strategic Plan-building consumer trust-and demonstrate how brands serve not only the interests of brand owners, but of consumers, and, indeed, society at large.

Several educational sessions will address CSR from a variety of angles, including:

• “Brand Protection and the Intersection of Trademarks, Advertising, and Corporate Social Responsibility,” which will focus on how CSR disclosures affect brands;
• “IP ‘Care Programs’: When For-Profit and Non-Profit Organizations Join Forces”-an industry breakout session explaining how to perform IP effectively while helping those in need; and
• “Brand Meaning and Valuation in the Age of Millennial Consumerism,” which will highlight the vital importance of CSR to brand reputation and engagement with young consumers.

The Gift of ‘Giving Back’

INTA encourages all registrants to participate as fully as possible in CSR programming at the Annual Meeting. It’s a chance to benefit from some great networking opportunities while giving back to the community. Please note that space is limited and pre-registration is required. Some activities involve a registration fee. For details, please check here.

Bikes for Kids: A Team-Building and Charity Event

Annual Meeting registrants will hone their team-building and bike-building skills at this hands-on event, which takes place Saturday, May 18, 1:00-4:00 pm. Participants will form teams and compete to earn the tools they need to assemble a bicycle. The finished bikes will then be donated to children and youth in the Boston area. It’s a wonderful opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues, and to make a difference in the lives of Boston-area families.

Offsite Volunteer Service Day-The Greater Boston Food Bank

INTA is partnering with The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB)-one of the largest food banks in the United States-to help the GBFB carry out its vital work of providing fresh, healthy produce to those in need. On Tuesday, May 21, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, participants will work together to sort and package essential food items that will be distributed to people in need across eastern Massachusetts.

Dress for Success Boston

INTA is joining with Dress for Success Boston to further its mission of empowering women to achieve economic independence-and thrive-by providing support, professional attire, and development tools. This year, INTA will focus on providing accessories suitable for a job interview, as well as travel-sized toiletries. Registrants can participate in Dress for Success by bringing a donation onsite in Boston.

Solutions at Work

INTA is furthering the efforts of Solutions at Work to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness, by providing individuals and families with resources and opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency. Annual Meeting registrants can take part in this mission by donating specific items of men’s clothing, accessories, and toiletries. Details on items needed can be found here.

Note: Bins will be available in East Registration and on the Exhibit Level of the convention center to collect donations for Dress for Success Boston and Solutions at Work.

Carbon Credit Donation (Carbonfund.org)

INTA has partnered with Carbonfund.org to help highlight the importance of offsetting the Annual Meeting’s carbon footprint. All proceeds will be donated to Carbonfund.org. INTA encourages registrants to take part in the Carbon Credit initiative by making a US $10 donation during the online registration process to offset their carbon travel emissions and help “green” the Meeting.

Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC), where the 2019 Annual Meeting will be held, is dedicated to energy, water, and waste conservation in its daily operating strategy. Among other initiatives, compost and recycling bins are stationed throughout the building for both internal employees and Annual Meeting registrants. Exhibitors are also encouraged to recycle through the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s Conventions C.A.R.E. (Community Assistance by Responsible Events) program by donating clean, usable, non-perishable items.

More information on CSR initiatives available at the 2019 Annual Meeting is available here.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of items in the INTA Bulletin, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

© 2019 International Trademark Association