An Extra Invitation
If you are craving to connect in person with old friends and new ones, look no further. The new hybrid concept of the Annual Meeting Virtual+ features in-person mini-conferences, occurring in different regions during the Meeting. Sarah Morgan reports.
“It’s been far too long since I attended an in-person INTA event, so when I heard that it would possible to do so, I registered immediately.”
Iris V. Quadrio, partner, Marval O’Farrell Mairal, (Argentina)
It has been a long time since we were able to meet in person and, while the main body of the INTA Annual Meeting Virtual+ will take place virtually, the Association is offering registrants the opportunity to reunite on site with their global community.
Annual Meeting registrants can be part of the “+” portion of the Annual Meeting Virtual+ by attending one or more of a trio of in-person mini-conferences over three days during the Annual Meeting.
Each of the one-day onsite events will feature educational programming, informal networking opportunities, and an INTA-hosted reception. And each one will have its own flavor, with education and networking organically anchored to a specific theme. Be prepared to be inspired, challenged, and walk away with helpful tips for your practice and new connections in your network!
The day-long mini-conferences will take place in New York, New York, US, on November 16; Berlin, Germany, on November 17; and Los Angeles, California, US, on November 18.
The locations will be Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in New York; Berlin Marriott Hotel in Berlin; and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
Iris V. Quadrio, partner, Marval O’Farrell Mairal (Argentina), will be among those traveling from dozens of countries to the United States to attend the mini-conference in Los Angeles. “It’s been far too long since I attended an in-person INTA event, so when I heard that it would possible to do so, I registered immediately,” she said.
She will be attending the virtual programming as well, along with five of her colleagues from the firm. Ms. Quadrio noted: “Our IP team has always been very active at INTA so attending the Annual Meeting has always been a priority and a unique opportunity for each of us to interact with colleagues and clients.”
Participants must register for the virtual Meeting in order to attend a mini-conference. Each mini-conference carries an additional registration fee, and COVID-19 health and safety protocols have been put in place.
Each of the in-person events have limited capacity, due to pandemic-related local guidelines and social distancing requirements, so register now to avoid missing out.
“If you want to know what it means to make the paradigm shift from a trademark counsel to a brand specialist mindset, you must attend the New York mini-conference.”
Pieter van den Bulck, global director intellectual property, Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. (Belgium)
New York—Tuesday, November 16 / Business and Brands
Brands are the cornerstone of business—a company’s calling card to consumers, a primary asset for valuation and loans, and a reflection of what a company stands for. And now, more than ever, consumers expect brands they support to reflect their values, meaning that environmental, social and corporate governance is higher on the agenda than ever before.
The Brands and Sustainability: What You Do and What You Say session, moderated by Pieter van den Bulck, global director intellectual property, Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. (Belgium), is expected to be highly attended. Brand practitioners will provide insight into what to do—and what you may not want to do—when supporting brand teams, corporate affairs, and communications teams in their corporate social responsibility and sustainability efforts.
“If you want to know what it means to make the paradigm shift from a trademark counsel to a brand specialist mindset, you must attend the New York mini-conference,” said Mr. van den Bulck. “How can you contribute towards brand sustainability? What is your role in relation to brand messaging? These are only two examples of an amazing program that will be offered to you in-person for the first time in almost two years. I can’t think of a better way to reconnect with my intellectual property (IP) friends.”
Among those attending the mini-conference in New York is Rodrigo V. Bermeo-Andrade, partner, Bermeo & Bermeo Law Firm (Ecuador). “Virtual meetings are convenient, but business travel is the cherry on top of our exciting profession,” he explained. “INTA offers this hybrid version to enable us to connect and grow our network. As the world is slowly going back to normal … I am thrilled to visit New York to meet with friends and clients!”
“Virtual meetings are convenient, but business travel is the cherry on top of our exciting profession.”
Rodrigo V. Bermeo-Andrade, partner, Bermeo & Bermeo Law Firm (Ecuador)
Meanwhile, a session on The Future of Brands will share lessons for brands from real-world examples of marketing campaigns launched in this unique moment in history—the good, the not-so-good, and even the exceptional. And even some predictions for the future.
“We will hear the advertising agency perspective of how marketing and advertising plans, and consumer-engagement strategies, have evolved more in the past couple of years than any other time in recent history,” explained Michael R. Justus, partner, Katten (US).
The New York mini-conference will also host the Discussion Forum: How Do I Get There from Here? that considers what registrants are doing now and what success looks like for tomorrow, plus the must-see session: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Walking the Talk.
“It’s exactly what we need to re-invigorate our passion for brand protection and professional relationships. I am hugely looking forward to it!”
Désirée Fields, legal director, Pinsent Masons LLP (UK)
Berlin—Wednesday, November 17 / Navigating Opportunities
Registrants at the Berlin mini-conference have the chance to learn from leading legal and business experts and government officials, who will share their insights on how best to navigate the opportunities and challenges for brand owners doing business in Europe today.
“After such a long time of limiting interaction with trademark colleagues to a virtual setting, I was absolutely delighted and honored to be invited to participate in the organization of the INTA Berlin mini-conference,” said Désirée Fields, legal director, Pinsent Masons LLP (UK), who is moderating Goods in Transit: Challenges in Stopping Counterfeit Goods.
She added: “The Berlin mini-conference is intended to provide the perfect mix of presentations from knowledgeable trademark experts, lively discussions, and networking opportunities. It’s exactly what we need to re-invigorate our passion for brand protection and professional relationships. I am hugely looking forward to it!”
From understanding the legal and regulatory landscape to grasping evolving consumer expectations and norms, the event will cover it all, delving into the latest developments in law and practice.
Jordi Güell, partner, Güell IP (Spain), is moderating Thinking Beyond Trademarks: The Importance of Designs and Copyrights. “The session will focus on this triple protection and will analyze the extent to which designs may also be protected as copyright works following the Cofemel and Brompton judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union, with practical tips that legal practitioners can use in their daily practice,” explained Mr. Güell.
Meanwhile, Digital Brand Protection in a Changing Global Regulatory Environment will deep dive into the challenges faced by brands online. Ulla Sieber, IP counsel, PUMA SE (Germany), the session’s moderator, noted: “The past years were an accelerant for digital transformation for many sales businesses to remain competitive. While many physical stores were closed down, retailers— legitimate or not—built up their online business to resume sales activities.
“Brand enforcers had to develop and implement strategies on short notice on how to deal with the increased illicit online content, to secure the brand’s level of consumer and business protection. This session focusing on online brand protection will give you insights from different angles.”
Ms. Sieber added that the Berlin mini-conference will give today’s multi-skilled brand practitioners valuable insights on how to protect IP rights in the most efficient way.
“After almost two years of working remotely, the mini-conferences are a wonderful way to reconnect with your INTA colleagues and friends.”
Joan Kupersmith Larkin, partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (US)
Los Angeles—Thursday, November 18 / Embracing Innovation
Innovation has had a profound effect on our lives: the speed at which we consume and share information has changed dramatically, impacting the way we live, work, and interact. The pandemic has further heightened the already considerable changes, pushing many to embrace the technological world like never before.
The Los Angeles mini-conference will focus on innovation, with speakers discussing recent changes, including technological ones, and offering their predictions for the future.
“After almost two years of working remotely, the mini-conferences are a wonderful way to reconnect with your INTA colleagues and friends and have the opportunity once again for an in-person learning experience,” said Joan Kupersmith Larkin, partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (US), who is moderating Personal Brands and Beyond: The Rise of the Celebrity Chef and International Restaurant Chains.
Be sure to attend the sessions Our Future: Innovation, Investment, and Intellectual Property, featuring entrepreneurial business leaders, a venture capitalist, and legal experts; and Innovation and the Entertainment Industry: Impact and Evolution, where leading business and legal experts in the entertainment industry will discuss topics such as the role of IP in their industry and how best to leverage copyright and trademarks in their protection strategies, as well as third party content and the rise of reality stars in social media content.
More Ways to Connect
In the Asia-Pacific region, INTA will be holding one or more watch parties on Monday, November 15. This is yet another opportunity to network with peers in person.
The Association will also provide additional virtual programming in the Asia time zone to replace the originally announced mini-conference in Hong Kong SAR, China. Stay tuned for more details about this programming.
To facilitate more ways to connect in person, INTA has revived its popular in-person Pre-Annual Meeting Receptions. These volunteer-hosted events—which offer the IP community a way to connect ahead of Annual Meeting—have been taking place since July in various cities around the world. These receptions will continue around the world during the next several weeks.
Footage used under license from Adobe Stock / richard finch
Thursday, September 24, 2021
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