IPIC Committee Profile: Conference Committee
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on conferences around the globe, and IPIC’s 2020 Annual Conference is no exception. For the first time in its history, IPIC has decided to replace its annual in-person conference with a virtual event, dubbed IPIC2020 Virtual, to be held on October 1-2, 2020. The difficult task of planning and delivering this historic virtual event is entrusted to IPIC’s Conference Committee. This month, we e-interviewed Marion Bailey-Canham (MBC) and Jordana Sanft (JS), Chair and Vice Chair of the Conference Committee respectively, to learn more about the work of the committee this year and what members can look forward to at the IPIC2020 Virtual event.
IPIC: What is the committee’s mandate?
MBC/JS: To organize and deliver IPIC’s Annual Conference to IPIC members involving IP owners, promotors, educators and professionals and delivering valuable CPD to the IPIC membership.
IPIC: How has the pandemic affected the work and mission of the committee this year?
MBC/JS: The pandemic has had a huge impact on our Committee (like the rest of the world) but we very quickly mobilized and moved the annual conference to an online format. The result is a modified conference but one that meets our primary objective. While we would prefer to bring IP practitioners together in person we are pleased nonetheless that we have been able to adapt to the new environment.
IPIC: IPIC’s Annual Conference is going virtual this year. What are some of the highlights that attendees can expect from the upcoming conference?
MBC/JS:
- Great access to CPD across Trademarks, Copyright and Patents
- Excellent speakers and presentations from across the country and across private practice, academia and industry
- CIPO updates from the Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trademarks and CEO
- CIPO updates from Trademark and Patent Director Generals
- New College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents update
- Virtual Networking Opportunities
IPIC: With so many different organizations offering educational opportunities, how does the committee ensure that its work and educational programs remain relevant and unique to the IP community?
MBC/JS: We have an excellent committee that is devoted to bringing timely and interesting CPD to the IPIC community. Our members bring together their impressive contacts and share ideas that deliver thoughtful, educational and exciting forums and discussions. Our committee strives to stay on top of trends and often utilizes themes to help guide our Annual Conference’s focus. For example this year’s theme is “Emerging Trends in IP – What Does the Future Hold?”
IPIC: How does the committee’s work advance the mission and vision of IPIC?
MBC/JS: We collectively work towards providing a conference that engages our IP professionals, government and elected officials and IP groups with effective legislation, regulations, and policies and providing educational opportunities for the business community on the importance of IP and the opportunity to further establish the effective self-governance regime for IP agents via the College.
IPIC: What have you learned from your involvement in this committee?
MBC/JS: We have many amazing volunteers who are great to work with and IPIC’s Team is inspirational and brings us all together in a proactive, educational and entertaining manner. Having the opportunity to work with our IP colleagues across Canada is exciting and very rewarding. People love the IPIC Annual Conference and count on our Committee and the Conference for substantive learning, professionalism and networking opportunities – and we are honoured and proud to so deliver!
Special thanks to the hard work of the Conference Committee members this year, including:
- Marion M. Bailey-Canham
- Yael Bienenstock
- Isi Caulder
- Arnold Ceballos
- Jeliah Chan
- John C. Cotter
- Erin Creber
- Zarya Cynader
- Daniel Davies
- Anne-Josée Delcorde
- Elizabeth S. Dipchand
- Barry Fong
- Kevin K. Graham
- Brian W. Gray
- Benjamin Hackett
- Sana Halwani
- Neil Henderson
- Marcus Klee
- R. Scott MacKendrick
- Hung Nguyen
- Andrea Rutty
- Jordana Sanft
- S. Serge Shahinian
- Colleen Stanley
- Tracey Stott
- Sydney Young
- Jennifer MacKenzie
