Robust Registration Numbers for INTA’s 2023 Annual Meeting Live+ Reveal Excitement to Gather in Singapore
06-Apr-2023
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Source : The International Trademark Association (INTA)
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Visits : 1441
NEW YORK - As of today, 6,909 brand owners and practitioners, government officials, and academics from 139 jurisdictions have registered to participate in the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) 2023 Annual Meeting Live+, which takes place in Singapore, May 16 through May 20, a press release stated by the Association.
With a little more than two months to go until the global intellectual property (IP) community gathers in Singapore, the desire to come together under one roof in the heart of Southeast Asia is evident. Originally scheduled for 2020 and delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Association’s second Annual Meeting in Asia, which takes place at the iconic Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, builds upon the success of the 2014 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong SAR, China.
A confluence of factors contributed to the selection of Singapore as an Annual Meeting location, including its vibrant environment, cultural diversity, ease of accessibility, and achievements in the field of IP. For the same reasons, INTA also opened its Asia-Pacific Representative Office in Singapore in March 2016.
Dr. Edward Koh, Executive Director, Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We are proud to be the host city for this prestigious event and look forward to welcoming the global IP community to Singapore. As one of Asia’s top convention cities, and with our strong commitment to sustainability and wellness, Singapore has lots to offer. INTA delegates can learn, network, and forge new connections, and go on to enjoy a variety of experiences and lifestyle offerings beyond the event.”
Notably, the total registrant count has already surpassed the total registrant count from the 2022 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Of this year’s registrants, more than 60 percent did not participate in last year’s gathering. Further, more than 3,300 registrants, most of whom have purchased the Live+ package, are also signed up to attend the virtual portion of the Annual Meeting in June.
In terms of the top five countries by registrations, the United States leads the way with 1,009 registrants, followed by China (748), India (397), the United Kingdom (387), and Germany (369). Rounding out the top 10 are Australia, Japan, France, Singapore, and South Korea. Brazil leads the way in South America, Israel in the Middle East, and South Africa in Africa.
The number of organizations sending large delegations further reflects a desire to participate in the IP industry’s premier business development event of the year. Close to 40 law firms are sending more than 10 registrants, with Baker McKenzie sending 38 staff members, accounting for the largest contingent registered so far. Notably, among the more than 40 IP offices and government/nongovernment entities sending delegations, the World Intellectual Property Organization will be sending 10+ delegates. Hundreds of brand owner representatives have also signed up for the Meeting.
“INTA’s vote of confidence in hosting their flagship event here is a testament to Singapore’s status as a global hub for IP and brands. We look forward to the discussions on latest trends and developments, as well as IP strategies that will enable international and local brands to leverage Singapore’s position as a hub for growth,” said Intellectual Property Office of Singapore Chief Executive Rena Lee.
Exhibitor space is entirely sold out, with 150 exhibitors, 70 of whom are new to the Annual Meeting. China, with 41 exhibitors, is at the top of this leaderboard, followed by the United States (28), the United Kingdom (11), India (7), and Malaysia (5), with France, Germany, South Korea, Switzerland, and Vietnam also in the top 10.
Registrants are also taking advantage of the Plan Your Own Event (PYOE) opportunities as well as the Reserved Hospitality Rooms (RHRs). Already, 118 organizations from 36 countries have submitted requests for 272 PYOE events. These include educational sessions, general business meetings, hospitality suites, receptions, and similar special events. Of the 167 RHRs available, 125 have already been sold.
“From my conversations with friends and colleagues in the IP community, I know everyone is excited and has already begun making plans to welcome Meeting registrants to our island city, with a truly proud Singaporean welcome!” said 2023 Annual Meeting Co-Chair Zaheera Hashim (Procter & Gamble, Inc., Singapore).
No doubt, there are many reasons why it is important to register for the Meeting (as opposed to traveling to Singapore to benefit from the Meeting without registering). “First and foremost, registration allows you to benefit from the unique experience. Second, it is only by registering that you can fully enjoy the education and the Business Development opportunities. Third, registering supports the Association, and I think the concept of solidarity is extremely important,” said INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. “We’re a community, and as part of that community we need to help each other.”
Mr. Sanz de Acedo also noted that supporting INTA by registering for the Annual Meeting is an important way to support the Association’s various activities and corporate social responsibility initiatives, and emphasized that “the sessions, committee meetings, and receptions all require a badge. People who attend the Meeting without being registered—without a badge—look odd to their counterparts. Benefiting from the Annual Meeting experience without registering is like buying a counterfeit. You don’t want to do this kind of thing!”
Three registration options are available: In-person only (for the live event in Singapore), virtual-only, for the virtual portion of the Meeting, which takes place June 27–29, and Live+, which includes both the in-person and virtual events.