Transcript
Whistler Intellectual Property Conference 2017
Whistler, B.C. March 5- March 9, 2017
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he Whistler Intellectual Property Conference, hosted by PATSKI is an international meeting of patent professionals which combines a world-class skiing and snowboarding experience with an opportunity to meet, and exchange knowledge and information with business associates from around the world. This is our 17th year and each year we have returning as well as new participants who recognize this as a unique educational and business opportunity. The nature and pace of the practice of IP are being fundamentally transformed by advances in technology, and the increasing sophistication of clients. Cost-saving options which are available for clients from online trademark services and national-entry streamlining services are attracting ever-larger portions of the market. In the legal area, using automated legal advice like IBM Watson on the internet, one can already get legal advice on general topics within seconds, with 90% accuracy compared with 70% accuracy when done by humans. Practitioners need to provide smarter, more specialized services, such as freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence searches for asset acquisitions, and competitive intelligence for clients, by adopting new tools to maintain a competitive edge for their firm’s prosperity and profitability, and many are currently available, particularly in the area of market and filing analytics. Other business pressures are affecting bottom lines, such as mounting pressures for fee discounts and alternate billing arrangements, escalating client demands on firm infrastructure, such as billing and cybersecurity, and reduced client loyalty. Firms need to cope with these enhanced demands and marketplace challenges in order to manage client expectations in a world of instant communications. The topic for this year’s business sessions will be “The Changing Business of IP”.
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ABOUT THE RESORT
he reasons to come to Whistler are obvious. Whistler Resort is home to two world-class, magnificent side-by-side mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, connected by the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, which combined offer more than 8,171 acres with sixteen incredible alpine bowls, three glaciers and more than 200 marked trails- steep powder chutes, challenging mogul trails, and groomed-to-perfection cruisers that offer skiers and boarders endless enjoyment. The mountains have a lift capacity of 67,307 skiers per hour. Whistler Resort is located in British Columbia’s towering Coast Mountain Range 75 miles north of Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Whistler is a winter paradise and the winter season is blessed with plentiful snow falls, with an average more than 461 inches (1,170 centimeters) of snow annually. Whistler Blackcomb has once again been voted the #1 Ski resort in North America for three years in a row. Whistler offers a European pedestrian-style village with cosmopolitan luxuries and small town, West Coast charm. Beyond the slopes you can enjoy cross-country skiing, skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, zip line riding, world-class spas and even cooking classes and bungee jumping. However, you must not forget to visit the one-of-a kind shops and art galleries with local creations. The village’s dining, nightlife and unlimited Après-ski adventure is renowned. The big change for Whistler this year is purchase of Whistler Blackcomb by Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts is offering All 2016-17 Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass holders five days of skiing and snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb this winter season. It is also never been a better time to learn to ski as part of the Patski conference. Whistler Blackcomb has spent over $2.4 million to improve the learning areas on Whistler Mountain for the upcoming winter season.
PATSKI 2017 MEETING AGENDA Sunday, March 5, 2017 OPENING RECEPTION 5:00pm-7:00pm Join us in the Library of the Nita Lake Lodge. Registrants and Accompanying Persons will get to know each other, pick up registration materials, be informed of the events of the week and get a brief overview of the mountains.
Monday, March 6, 2017
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Breakfast (delegates only) 8:00am Ballroom, Nita Lake Lodge
Breakfast (delegates only) 7:30am Ballroom, Nita Lake Lodge
Breakfast (delegates only) 7:00am Ballroom, Nita Lake Lodge
MORNING BUSINESS SESSION 8:3010:30am
PATSKI FUN RACE 10:00am
MORNING BUSINESS SESSION 7:309:30am
APRÈS-SKI NETWORKING SESSION 4:00-6:00pm WELCOME DINNER 7:00pm Join us in the Aura Restaurant at the Nita Lake Lodge
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Breakfast (delegates only) 7:00am Ballroom, Nita Lake Lodge MORNING BUSINESS SESSION 7:309:30am APRÈS-SKI NETWORKING SESSION 4:00-6:00pm DINNER- 7:00pm Details are in the works for a fun theme based evening.
Join us at the Pontiac Race Centre on Blackcomb Mountain for a fun, recreational race. This is fun for skiers/ boarders of all abilities. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest and best matched times. APRÈS-SKI NETWORKING SESSION 4:00-6:00pm DINNER Dinner is on your own in one of Whistler’s many fine restaurants.
APRÈS-SKI NETWORKING SESSION 4:00-6:00pm FAREWELL DINNER 7:00pm Our final evening will be a time to relax, swap ski stories and the annual awards presentations. Who will win the coveted “Best Crash” this year? Dress is smart casual. Dinner will be at the local’s favourite, The Rim Rock Cafe.
HOW TO GET HERE Enjoy a breathtaking two hour drive along the Sea to Sky Highway as you view rugged coastlines, dense green forests and soaring mountain summits. The Sea to Sky Highway, greatly improved during the lead up to the Games, is now a faster, safer and more scenic route from Vancouver to Whistler. To get here, there are several options available. 1. Scheduled service of luxury Airport Bus, Shuttle or Limousine Service is available 7 days per week. Departures are from the Vancouver Airport and some Downtown hotels. Reservations are recommended. 2. Car Rental. Please ensure the vehicle you rent is equipped for winter driving conditions. A car is not required within the resort. 3. Other options are available including private car. and helicopter. Please visit here for a full listing of all options and for more information
ACCOMMODATION
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he Nita Lake Lodge, will once again play host to Patski guests. The Nita Lake Lodge, located in Whistler’s original Creekside location and nestled on the shores of a glacier-fed lake, offers genuine service with a personal touch and features oversized suites with king-sized beds, a double soaker tub, glass-enclosed rain shower, voluptuous furniture and basalt gas fireplace. With stunning optional lake views, these luxury suites are the closest you can get to nature. The Nita Lake Lodge has received many accolades including a top three placement in the Conde Nast Traveler’s 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards, #9 on Travel + Leisure magazine list of Best Resort Hotels in Canada for 2016 and named #1 resort in Canada and #22 resort in the world in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards, and is consistently ranked as one of the Top 25 Hotels in Canada by TripAdvisor. We feel the Nita Lake Lodge provides upscale mountain comfort with reasonable pricing for Patski participants. Room rates start at $205 CA for a Studio room. Further information regarding the room types and rates can be found on the Patski website by clicking here. Reservation Procedure Delegates are responsible for making their own individual reservations. Guests may make their reservations at the Nita Lake Lodge via telephone toll free at 1-888-755-6482 or via email at
[email protected]. In order to receive the group rates please identify yourself as being with PATSKI 2017 Group for ease of booking. Reservation requests must be made by Friday, February 3, 2017 in order to qualify for the Group rate. Individuals will be required to guarantee their reservation by use of a major credit card. Cancellation of individual reservations made prior to February, February 3, 2017 or 30 days prior to arrival will be accepted at no penalty. Full pre-payment of all room and tax charges will be taken on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017 or 30 days prior to arrival.The Nita Lake Lodge is pleased to extend these rates 3 days pre or post conference subject to availability. If a more flexible cancellation policy is required, the regular room rate through the hotel can be booked.
LIFT TICKET AND EQUIPMENT RENTALS Lift Tickets Adult Lift Tickets are $99/day plus sales tax ($103.95). Tickets are refundable at a rate of 20% of those purchased. Please indicate the number of tickets required on the registration form. Also available are 3 of 4 days at $305.55, 4 of 5 days at $399.00, 5 of 6 days at $493.50 and 6 of 7 days at $591.15 (prices include GST). Please note multiday lift tickets are non-refundable and must be used on consecutive days Tickets for Seniors (65+),Youth (13-18 yrs) and Child (7-12 yrs) are also available as well as multi-day tickets, please see the webisite for pricing. Equipment Rentals Whistler Blackcomb offers the largest rental fleet of skis and snowboards in the Whistler Valley, and all are backed by their service guarantee. Choose from 15 rental stores throughout Whistler, including mountain top, Creekside, Village and Blackcomb base locations. Pack light and leave the gear at home. For more information on lift ticket and equipment rentals, please visit the PATSKI website here
For more information, please contact Bruce Green at
[email protected] or visit our website here
