2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting: Enthusiasm, Experiment, Evolve

More than 300 people from all parts of the world attended INTA’s “Ready, Set, Go, Virtual!” webinar on October 13 to learn more about how INTA’s upcoming 2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting will work in virtual mode and to get tips and tricks on how to maximize an online event.

The INTA Bulletin published a preview of the event, which was moderated by Amanda Mangione, INTA’s Senior Coordinator, Event Marketing.

The webinar’s presenters, long-time INTA volunteers Rudy Gaines (Creative Business Growth, Durham, North Carolina, USA) and Phil Cox (Business Development for IP Attorneys, Maplewood, New Jersey, USA), agreed that the new virtual platform offers the opportunity to interact with peers in a new way.

“The best way to get business is having conversations that aren’t about business,” explained Mr. Gaines.

He said the platform’s well-structured technology will let the human side of each participant be the “differentiating factor” to lead a conversation to business.

A preview of the platform unveiled the interior of the online Convention Center. The environment ranges from the Exhibit Hall to Hospitality—where conversation can be easily started around a table—to more specific Table Topics and Speed Networking, as well as a theatre where sessions will take place.

The speakers also walked participants through the powerful INTAconnect networking system which allows registrants to reach out to colleagues and clients, set appointments, and increase contacts and business through a matchmaking system—all thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).

The information that each participant adds to this networking tool, from areas of expertise to specific interests for the Meeting, generates new matches with other registrants whose profiles have the same or similar characteristics.

Chat messages, push notifications, “show interest,” and “skip” buttons can help you communicate with registrants and request and accept meetings. As you “skip” your competitors, the AI system is learning and will minimize similar profiles appearing in your network.

“There is nothing to lose. The more you put in, the more you get out,” affirmed Mr. Cox.

In-house counsel panelists Debra Hughes (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, USA), Michael Graham (Expedia Group, Inc., USA), and Sergio Barragan (PepsiCo, Inc., Mexico) participated in the webinar to give their perspectives on how the virtual Annual Meeting is a great opportunity to foster business relationships.

It is also an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and learn from colleagues, implement best practices, and formalize working sessions, Ms. Hughes said.

Mr. Cox summed up the 2020 Meeting in three words: “enthusiasm, experiment, evolve.” Into the future!

Registrants for the 2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting, taking place November 16–20, 2020, can watch a recording of the webinar to glean additional tips.

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. 

© 2020 International Trademark Association