Inès Garlantezec talks MARQUES and why Luxembourg shows up

The MARQUES 39th Annual Conference will be held in The Hague, Netherlands from 16-19 September 2025 with a focus on "Brand changes in an international context". Ahead of the conference, we spoke to Senior Associate, Inès Garlantezec, about her previous experience and what to expect next month!

What's in your MARQUES survival kit this year?

Business cards, my ID to get into EUROPOL, my phone to take notes, check emails/Teams and take photos. And as this is not INTA, I can take my new heels for the gala dinner!

You've been to MARQUES before - what's your number one tip you'd give to first-timers?

Don’t be shy - MARQUES attendees are incredibly welcoming! I’ve only been twice myself, and I’ve already made plenty of friends. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with people from all industries and corners of the world.

A few tips to make the most of it:

• Get a good night’s sleep beforehand - the days are full and really energising.
• Focus on the sessions, but don’t underestimate the power of coffee breaks for networking.
• If you bump into representatives from the other side of your client’s case, you can even chase them “live”!

And most importantly, reach out to us. We’d love to meet you there.

Why is it important for Luxembourg-based professionals to be at MARQUES?

Luxembourg punches above its weight in IP. Being here means staying visible, connected, and part of the conversation - especially when the focus is on international brand strategy, as we can support on Benelux, EU matters and wherever M&C has an office. Plus, we bring the multilingual charm!

More broadly, it’s really valuable for EU-based professionals to attend. The sessions are practical, insightful, and genuinely useful for day-to-day work. Last year, I picked up advice that I’ve already applied in my role this year. And for the 39th edition, we’re lucky to have it right in our region: The Hague, in Benelux. It’s probably the closest it’ll ever be to our Luxembourg office - so no excuses!

The theme “brand changes in an international context” is obviously highly relevant. Our local clients export to many different countries, and we also have a truly international client base, and it’s fascinating to see how changes in their socio-political-economic landscapes affect how all these different clients do business. 

Which session are you most excited about and why?

Can I say the gala dinner?! I love meeting new people, and I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with some great IP friends, many of whom we’ve recently started collaborating with across Benelux, the EU, the UK and further afield. MARQUES is always a brilliant opportunity to strengthen those connections and spark new ones. I’m also looking forward to catching up with my colleagues from the UK. Having that yearly touchpoint (amongst many others!) at MARQUES makes a big difference. It’s the perfect mix of team building, networking, and learning all rolled into one. Honestly, it’s just really worth going!

Of all the sessions, I’m especially keen to hear from the EUIPO Executive Director, particularly on the Strategic Plan 2030 and their use of AI. We’ve noticed a stricter approach to distinctiveness lately, and some inconsistencies in Office actions, so I’m hoping this session will shed light on what’s driving those changes and what we should expect going forward. I’m also really intrigued by the workshop at EUROPOL headquarters - how often do you get to do something like that?! Honestly, it is hard to choose just a few highlights. The session on parallel imports looks fascinating, the one on brand revivals promises some great insights, and the final roundup on CJEU and EU General Court case law is always a must. Can you tell I just can’t wait?

And finally… if MARQUES were a television show, what would it be called and why?

Friends? Even though some of us might be competitors in the market, the atmosphere at MARQUES is genuinely friendly. For that one week, it feels like we’re all just colleagues who share a passion for the same field. It’s a great reminder of the collaborative spirit in IP.

Or Keeping Up with the Brandashians! Keeping up with brands is what MARQUES is all about, keeping up with our specialty, which always evolves, its law, its practice - especially when influenced by its international influence.

Ines Garlantezec will be joined at the conference by Graeme Murray and Hannah Finster. If you would like to catch up with them for a chat, please reach out to them directly.