INTA to Hold 2021 Annual Meeting as ‘Virtual +’ Event

2021 Annual Meeting Virtual+ The International Trademark Association today announced that it will be holding its 2021 Annual Meeting—the world’s largest gathering of brand owners and intellectual property professionals—as a “Virtual +” event on November 15–19, rather than host an in-person event in Houston, Texas as planned.

All education sessions, Business Development opportunities, and committee meetings will occur on the Association’s virtual platform plus there will be hosted in-person one-day events in selected cities, where appropriate.

The shift comes after assessing the status of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world and keeping as the highest priority the health and safety of registrants, sponsors, staff, and others.

The complete statement from CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo follows:

“In these times, one of our greatest strengths as an organization is being realistic and flexible. As such, I am writing to provide an update about INTA’s 2021 Annual Meeting.

“After much reflection, research, and consultation with the INTA Officers and the Board of Directors, we have decided that, rather than host an in-person meeting in Houston, Texas, on November 15–19 as originally scheduled, we will be holding a “Virtual +” Meeting during that same time. All education sessions, Business Development opportunities, and committee meetings will occur on our virtual platform plus there will be hosted in-person one-day events in selected cities, where appropriate.

“In making this change, we, as always, have considered as the highest priority the health and safety of our registrants, sponsors, staff, and others. We assessed the current situation around the world. While some countries fortunately are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, others unfortunately are in a mounting crisis. The status of the pandemic, vaccine administration, quarantine requirements, government and company travel restrictions, etc., are continually shifting, creating too many unknowns to plan a large-scale, in-person event for November.

“With the “Virtual +” format, we will be providing high-quality educational content, dynamic Business Development sessions, and social activities on a virtual platform which, as proven by our past events, are very conducive to gathering for learning and networking. And, with the plus element, we have the flexibility to add smaller in-person events (e.g., discussion forums, receptions) where appropriate from safety and logistical standpoints. More details will be forthcoming as we continue to monitor conditions around the world.

“With this approach, we will achieve the desired objective—to still come together as a community, but in the safest, most sensitive, and most prudent way given the unsettling circumstances.

“We ask that you save the date, November 15–19, 2021, for our Virtual + Annual Meeting, and we hope to see you in person in 2022. Thank you for your continued support of our Association.

“As always, we hold in our thoughts all those affected by COVID-19, and we wish all of you good health.”

Watch the video announcement here.

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.