The International
Trademark Association (INTA) announced today that it will be transforming its
2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting in November into an all-virtual
event, in response to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the worldwide
COVID-19 pandemic.
In April, INTA announced
that it would hold a first-ever combined Annual Meeting & Leadership
Meeting on November 16–20 in Houston, Texas, but that it would continue
monitoring COVID-19 to determine the viability of an in-person event.
Earlier, when the health crisis first emerged, the Association postponed the
original 2020 Annual Meeting in Singapore, which would have taken place last
month.
With the virtual format,
the Annual Meeting will remain November 16–20; during the prior week, on
November 11–13, committee meetings and Leadership Meeting sessions for
INTA volunteers will be scheduled. Registration will open in early July.
In switching to the
online event, like with earlier changes, INTA continues to prioritize the
health and safety of members, staff, sponsors, exhibitors, and the community.
It has also taken into consideration members’ budget and travel restraints and
concerns, among other factors.
“Cancelling the Annual
Meeting has not been an option for us,” said INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo.
“While the path here has come with a heavy heart, we believe this
forward-looking approach is the safest option right now and keeps registrants’
best interests in mind. Moreover, we are excited about the prospect of not only
bringing our community together again, but doing so in a new and innovative
way, on a secure and engaging platform.”
The virtual meeting will include
live, simulated-live, and on-demand educational sessions, multiple networking
opportunities, an interactive Exhibit Hall, and many of the same features
registrants have come to expect at INTA’s in-person gatherings, such as Table
Topics and Speed Networking.
Mr. Sanz de Acedo noted
that the new format “aligns with INTA’s digital transformation and pioneers a
future that incorporates virtual offerings into our in-person events.”
Watch the video
announcement here.
Whilst the annual rendezvous will be missed as a wonderful opportunity to catch up with colleagues and clients face to face, this is also an opportunity as it means that the conference becomes more accessible for Africans that often find the content cost prohibitive or exclusive to partners within firms. It will be interesting to learn more about the format and just how firms respond with their own initiatives.
