The big problem with INTA is that there are so many participants that setting up a meeting with someone you’ve never met can create difficulties.
I had a meeting set up with ‘Leslie’, in-house counsel of a Fortune 500 company. We arranged to meet at the entrance to the exhibition center. Unfortunately, so did a further couple of hundred patent and trademark attorneys. I wasn’t even sure if Leslie was male or female, so found myself checking the name cards on everyone else. It took me back to my single days when, on occasion, I was set up for blind dates.
Most participants suspended their cards from a ribbon around their neck, so one has to read cards on people’s chests. This can be somewhat embarrassing.
We didn’t manage to make contact as planned, but Leslie came past the stall later and we rescheduled.
Next time, I am going to ask people to send me their photo in advance.
