A new LegalAdvantage Series featuring full-day programs on vendor contracts and intellectual property rights has been launched by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

The program, entitled “A Closer Look at Vendor Contracts and Intellectual Property,” will be offered in 12 cities across the United States and one city in Canada during 2005.

The series is sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission and its program partners, including Tourism Toronto, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, Tourisme Montreal, Travel Alberta, and Tourism Vancouver.

The first program will be offered April 5, 2005, at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago, IL.

“These are hot topics for all meeting professionals, who must deal with contract issues on a regular basis and are often confronted with intellectual property rights issues related to meeting content,” explains PCMA Senior Director of Education Glen Ramsborg.

“It’s so important that we are taking it on the road to all corners of the nation and into Canada this year.”

Upcoming cities and dates include:

April 19 – New York, NY – Millennium Broadway Hotel

May 10 - Orlando, FL – Orlando/Orange County Convention Center and the Peabody Hotel

May 16 - Sacramento, CA – Doubletree Hotel Sacramento

June 1 - Baltimore, MD – BWI Airport Marriott

June 14 - Denver, CO – The Oxford Hotel

September 13 - Boston, MA – Hyatt Regency Cambridge

September 20 - Washington, DC – Wardman Park Marriott Hotel

September 21 - Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia Marriott

October 11 - Atlanta, GA – Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta

October 12 - Columbus, OH – Hyatt Regency Columbus

October 18 - Ottawa, Canada – Westin Ottawa

October 25 - Kansas City, MO – Hyatt Regency Crowne Center

Participants will learn how to effectively manage the complexities of contracts, with an emphasis on convention centers, speakers/entertainers, and audio/visual company contracts. They will also explore the complex issues surrounding technology and intellectual property, including tips and best practices regarding trademarks, copyright and patent basics, and e-mail marketing.

The morning session is entitled, “Looking Outside the Hotel Arena: Best Practices for Other Meeting Contracts.” It will help planners decide items which need to be addressed in each type of meetings industry contract., integrate tax and customs issues when working with international vendors and contracts, and evaluate the relevance of contingency clauses in meetings industry contracts.

The afternoon session is entitled, “Looking Before You Leap: Using Technology Effectively and Legally.” It will help planners prepare a strengthened web presence while avoiding potential liability, evaluate legal issues in building internet-based programs. differentiate between the varying types of intellectual property, and learn best practices in the protection of intellectual property.

The program will be led by legal experts from the law offices of Howe & Hutton, including:

Jonathon T. Howe, Esq., one of the most influential lawyers in the meetings and convention industry. He is an award-winning columnist on industry legal issues and has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the industry.

Barbara F. Dunn, Esq., who specializes in the meetings, hospitality, and travel industries, working with association, corporate, and individual meeting planners. She is a frequent speaker for industry associations.

Samuel J. Erkonen, who serves the meetings, hospitality, and travel industries chiefly in the areas of contract negotiations, litigation, and tax issues.

A similar program that PCMA offered last year, “Contracts: Traps of the Trade,” was extremely successful, and this year’s series is created with the same model.

For more information and to register, visit www.pcma.org or call Valerie Turner at PCMA at 312-423-7264 or vturner@pcma.org.