I was privileged to work with a client, the City of Falls Church (THE LITTLE CITY®), to produce and host an exhibit as this year’s 2011 National Trademark Expo last week. The event was a tremendous success for all involved. Visitors had a great time and learned about trademarks. The USPTO showed off its headquarters, its role in registering and protecting trademarks and its talented and generous staff. Exhibitors got to interact with attendees, other exhibitors, and USPTO staff.
So what happens at the Trademark Expo? Here is a brief summary:
– More than 25 booths were selected from applications to participate. They represented associations, government organizations, and brand owners. Many booths provided information about the brand and how the trademarks are used – and why trademark protection is significant to the brand,
– The USPTO is decorated with banners, balloons, and a variety of large displays about trademark topics including 100 year old trademarks; the evolution of several well known logos; and the differences between trademarks, copyrights, and patents,
– An opening ceremony featured a performance from Chubby Checker and Max Impact (the U.S. Air Force rock band), and speeches by Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office David Kappos and Commissioner for Trademark Deborah Cohn,
– Appearances by a variety of costumed characters including the Pink Panther, The Hungry Caterpillar, Popeye and Olive Oyl, and the Geico Gecko,
– Information sessions about trademark registration , counterfeiting, and more,
– A USPTO booth on sound trademarks,
– Story time for children featuring some of the costumed characters,
– A reception for exhibitors and PTO staff involved in the Expo (at the “Trademark Bar” in a nearby hotel!),
and much more.
The City of Falls Church booth showcased the promotional slogan THE LITTLE CITY® which was registered last year. Our booth included a slideshow (see below), a registration certificate, many examples of how The Little City® logo is used around town – including on new parking signs and a variety of posters and banners. We distributed stickers and restaurant guides featuring the logo as well as a children’s activity booklet containing games about places and trademarks (see below).
Here are some pictures of the booth along with some of the materials displayed at the both:
Commissioner Cohn visits with Erik Pelton and THE LITTLE CITY® booth at the 2011 National Trademark Expo
