INTA’s Digital Transformation

The International Trademark Association (INTA) held an exclusive meeting with the media at the beginning of this month. 

The meeting was the perfect opportunity to know about INTA’s Digital Transformation project. Etienne Sanz de Acedo (INTA’s CEO) provided an overview, highlighting the association had already considered moving to the virtual environment before the pandemic started.

Etienne indicated the project has four phases and it is marking major milestones:

THE FIRST ONLINE CONFERENCE, BRANDS IN SOCIETY: THEIR INFLUENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY

The 2020 New York Conference was held online on 22 and 23 June 2020. Etienne explained the event was very successful and 250 participants attended the sessions. He also remarked the networking opportunities were well received by the attendees. Networking sessions were topic-focused and took place in small groups.

THE NEW USER-FRIENDLY WEBSITE UNVEILED ON 25 JUNE 2020

The new website involved a redo of the legal resources and a career centre for INTA’s members. In addition to this, the INTA bulletin was revamped, which now includes multimedia content and is published weekly. 

THE ANNUAL MEETING AND LEADERSHIP MEETING

These meetings will be held online from 16 to 20 November 2020. Etienne showed a sneak peek of the virtual platform, which comprises inter alia the possibility to schedule one on one meetings through the user profile. 

The platform will also allow sorting the sessions per day or track. Live and on-demand sessions will have a theatre interface. Moreover, on-demand sessions will be available until the end of the year. 

Etienne also revealed some sessions dedicated to anti-counterfeiting and enforcement issues, workshops for advancing careers, as well as a China track, are all part of the program. 

INTA promises to engage the attendees. Etienne highlighted there will be plenty of networking opportunities, a strong virtual exhibition, and thought-provoking sessions on IP matters, all through the usage of a solid platform. 

Networking opportunities will comprise one on one meetings, table topics, speed networking and social sessions (e.g. meetups, wellness [yoga], tastings [wine, coffee], and sports). 

INTA expects the special prices will attract more attendees, including people who normally do not attend the annual meetings, such as younger associates and paralegals. The registration for attending the meetings is already open. You can find more information here. 

The exclusive meeting with the media concluded with the remark that INTA will maintain virtual activities post-pandemic. 

Credits: Images are courtesy of INTA.