It’s who is in the room that matters: counting the hours to IPBC Global 2024

Sat at my great-grandfather’s writing desk with the sound of seagulls circling outside for company, I can hardly believe IAM’s annual meeting of the world’s patent powerhouses is so close. From here, the dazzling surroundings of San Francisco’s Palace Hotel feel rather far away.

But over at IAM HQ the team has been in full swing. There has been a flurry of activity as plans are finalised, presentations polished and suitcases stuffed with lanyards firmly zipped shut. In just two days, we will swing open the doors to IPBC Global, welcoming almost 700 delegates who are travelling to join us from 29 countries across the world. 

And this year feels extra special to me, as we have two of the patent industry’s leading women joining us on stage for keynote interviews. It is an absolute honour to host USPTO Director Kathi Vidal and Nokia Technologies President Jenni Lukander, who we inducted into our Hall of Fame this year. Their presence underscores the principle which has made IPBC the leading IP value creation event in the world – it is who is in the room that matters.

So, who else is going to be in the room? We have 79 industry leaders lined up to impart their insights with you. They come from a vast range of industries and many are household names: Google, IBM, Ericsson, Airbnb, Huawei, Meta, Volvo, Mercedes, Qualcomm – the list goes on and on.

They’ll be tackling the most pressing developments and forces shaping patent licensing, now and into the future. I’ll be listening closely for their wisdom on how Chinese innovation is changing the SEP landscape, what’s next in the auto industry and how to generate finance through IP assets. 

We’ll also have the experts weigh in on how to get to grips with trade secrets, the art of patent portfolio management and the radical transformation of Europe’s IP landscape. As ever, this year’s agenda is packed with panels, roundtables and masterclasses interspersed with generous networking breaks and, of course, drinks receptions.

In just two days, I will be joined on the ground by IAM’s stellar editorial team: IAM Deputy Editors Angela Morris and Adam Houldsworth, and Managing Editor Trevor Little. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone, catching up with old friends and making more. You will no doubt spot us in the sessions, catch us taking five minutes to recharge or find us having some well-earned bubbles at the end of the day. Please do come over and say hello.

IPBC Global is a rare opportunity to have the best in business in one place. It’s an opportunity not to be missed and, with the curtain raising only hours away, one I better start packing for!