Celebrating the Spirit of Innovation at the AUTM Central Region Meeting

The opening session of the AUTM Central Region Meeting in Louisville kicked off with an engaging blend of insights, innovation and a touch of Kentucky’s iconic spirit — bourbon. The session, aptly named "Bourbon Brings It Together," set the tone for the meeting by exploring the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and the bourbon industry. 

Louisville, situated on the Ohio River, boasts a confluence of logistical strengths that make it a prime location for businesses. The region’s rich water resources, coupled with robust utility infrastructure and a decreasing state income tax, offer an appealing proposition for companies looking to relocate or expand. Add to that the region’s logistical advantages — access to rail, road, water and air transport via UPS Worldport — and you have a compelling case for business investment, further highlighted by Kentucky's booming $9 billion bourbon industry, which creates 23,100 jobs with an average salary of $94,000.

“Bourbon is a great ambassador for learning about relational property because you can incorporate the entire spectrum of IP,“ noted Michael Hargis, Registered Patent Attorney at Stites & Harbison PLLC, and one of the speakers in the opening session. 

The session emphasized the critical role of IP in protecting bourbon brands, from trademarks to patents and trade dress. Real-world cases, like the Jack Daniel’s trademark battle, illustrated the complexities of IP in the bourbon sector. This unique blend of bourbon culture and business discussions set an engaging tone for the meeting. 

The opening session set a high bar, promising more insightful and engaging discussions in the days to come. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Central Region meeting without the annual Trivia Contest, drawing a packed room of tech transfer professionals all eager to compete for the coveted third-place trophy. 

With insightful sessions addressing IP management, the new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office AI Guidelines, the expanding roles of tech transfer offices and the potential legislative changes on the horizon, the conference provided comprehensive coverage of the most pressing issues in the tech transfer field while providing networking breaks throughout for ample opportunities for collaboration. 

Travelling from Vietnam to the Central Region Meeting to take advantage of all these opportunities was a group from Fulbright University Vietnam. The Fulbright Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer program trains researchers and innovators from 13 different Indo-Pacific Countries. The program is part of the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Fulbright University Vietnam. 

Amali Hettige, Tech Transfer Manager at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, shared, “I gained insights and experiences that are hard to come by elsewhere. The extensive knowledge will undoubtedly help me adapt, modify and implement effective strategies in my country, significantly advancing our tech transfer efforts” 

Overall, the AUTM Central Region Meeting in Louisville was a resounding success, bringing together professionals from across the region (and beyond!) to share knowledge, foster collaboration and celebrate the spirit of innovation. The blend of informative sessions, networking opportunities and a touch of local culture made this meeting a memorable and valuable experience for all.