On October 10, 2025, the Munich-based IP law firm Weickmann & Weickmann will host a full-day event that will bring together some of the most engaged minds in the field of IP. Under the theme “Strengthening Digital Visibility and Awareness in the IP Sector,” this experience-driven gathering will focus not on theoretical discussions or promotional speeches, but on real insights and practical tools for IP professionals looking to build a meaningful online presence.

Held in collaboration with the team of the IP Business Academy and other thought leaders in the space, the event is set to be a milestone for the IP community—one that will emphasize collaboration, authenticity, and strategic communication in an increasingly digital world.

Setting the Stage: Why Visibility Matters in IP

The day will begin with a warm welcome from Christian Heubeck of Weickmann & Weickmann, who will frame the agenda by addressing a central truth: digital visibility is no longer optional for IP experts—it’s a strategic imperative. Especially in a highly specialized and often discreet field like intellectual property law, the ability to communicate one’s expertise clearly and authentically online is becoming a critical factor in client trust, professional recognition, and business development.

From Expert to Visible Leader: The Power of Personal Branding

In the first keynote of the day, Giulia Donato—an accomplished brand and communications advisor and executive coach—will deliver a compelling talk on personal branding in the IP sector. Her core message: positioning is not just about marketing; it’s a business enabler. For patent attorneys, trademark lawyers, and licensing professionals alike, personal branding can mean the difference between being seen as a service provider and being recognized as a trusted advisor.

Donato will encourage attendees to view their digital presence as an extension of their professional reputation and to align their communication with their values and strengths. Her insights are expected to resonate particularly well with attendees who struggle to balance technical expertise with visibility in public forums.

Learning from Practice: Real-World Marketing Insights

Next, Maria Boicova-Wynants, a strategy consultant and trademark attorney, will share her practical experience with digital marketing formats in the IP world. Her session is expected to stand out for its honesty—highlighting both the successes and the pitfalls she has encountered while building visibility in a professional field known for its conservatism.

She will discuss formats that work in real life, including thought leadership articles, niche-specific webinars, and consistent engagement on LinkedIn. Her key advice: is to be authentic, stay focused, and avoid content overload. Marketing in IP, she will argue, is not about flashy campaigns, but about building long-term trust.

LinkedIn and the SME Program: A New Paradigm for IP Development

Prof. Dr. Alexander Wurzer, Director of the IP Business Academy, will take the stage next to discuss the latest developments on LinkedIn and introduce the SME (Subject Matter Expert) Program. His session will map out how social platforms are evolving into critical spaces for professional development, especially for IP experts looking to position themselves beyond traditional referral networks.

Wurzer will emphasize the importance of the SME framework: defining one’s business development archetype (e.g., Activator, Confidant, Expert, Realist) and aligning communication accordingly. The SME Program, he will explain, helps IP professionals not only become more visible, but also more strategically relevant to clients and innovation ecosystems.

Building Visibility Through Systems and Communities

Tobias Denk, Program Coordinator at the IP Business Academy, will follow with a presentation on systematic visibility building. His focus will be on channels, formats, and community-driven programs—specifically the IP Business Academy’s Ambassador Program.

Denk’s talk will illustrate how structured content creation (such as articles, glossaries, and educational posts) can enhance both visibility and credibility. Importantly, he will emphasize that visibility should not be confused with self-promotion. Instead, contributing to knowledge platforms, participating in expert conversations, and mentoring peers are powerful ways to grow one’s presence with integrity.

Networking Lunch: Beyond Panels and Presentations

Following a morning filled with insights, the networking lunch will offer a welcome break—and a space for attendees to share personal experiences in an informal setting. Conversations over lunch are expected to span from practical questions about content formats to deeper reflections on career transitions, client expectations, and digital transformation in legal work.

The strength of this event will lie not just in the scheduled talks but in the shared mindset: everyone is expected to come with a willingness to learn, contribute, and connect.

Envisioning the Future: The Open Foresight Board

After the break, communication strategist Theo Grünewald will introduce a new initiative: the Open Foresight Board. Designed as a collaborative platform for anticipating future developments in IP, this concept will encourage collective thinking beyond day-to-day cases.

The goal, Grünewald will explain, is to help IP professionals explore “what’s next”—from AI-generated inventions and standard-essential patents to IP’s role in climate technologies and global innovation alliances. The Open Foresight Board will invite experts to co-create new narratives and strategic insights for a rapidly changing landscape.

Open Exchange: What Works—and What Doesn’t

The most interactive part of the afternoon will be a one-hour open conversation moderated by Christian Heubeck and Alexander Wurzer. Attendees will be invited to share their own successes, failures, and lessons learned in building digital visibility. The discussion is expected to be refreshingly honest: participants will be able to speak about the fear of exposure, the challenge of consistency, and the risk of sounding too generic.

What is expected to emerge is a clear message: visibility requires not only tools and platforms, but also courage, experimentation, and community support.

Peer Exchange: Learning in Small Groups

To continue the dialogue, participants will split into small peer groups to discuss their specific experiences. Topics will range from personal positioning and social media content to managing visibility alongside client confidentiality. These smaller, trust-based settings will allow for deeper exchanges and actionable feedback.

The peer exchange format also is expected to reinforce the event’s central theme: real learning happens through dialogue and mutual reflection, not one-way instruction.

Wrapping Up: Summary and Outlook

In the closing session, Christian Heubeck and Tobias Denk will summarize the key takeaways from the day. They will emphasize that building digital visibility is not a side task—it is a strategic function that IP experts must integrate into their long-term development.

The event will close with a call for continued collaboration: through follow-up meetings, shared content formats, and participation in the broader initiatives of the IP Business Academy. The participants are expected to leave not only with insights, but with a renewed sense of belonging to a forward-thinking IP community.

Final Thoughts

The October 10 event at Weickmann & Weickmann is set to showcase what is possible when legal expertise meets strategic communication. It will set a new benchmark for professional exchange in the IP sector—not through high-gloss presentations, but through authenticity, shared learning, and actionable ideas.

As the IP field becomes more intertwined with digital platforms, global innovation, and interdisciplinary challenges, the ability to communicate value is no longer optional. Events like this one don’t just help individual professionals—they are expected to strengthen the entire IP ecosystem.

If this exchange is any indication of the direction the IP community is heading, it’s safe to say: the future of IP will be visible, connected, and collaborative.

 

Here is the agenda:

🗓️ Agenda: Strengthening digital visibility and awareness in the IP sector

An initiative for the IP community – together with Weickmann & Weickmann, Munich
🕙 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Weickmann & Weickmann, Munich

This event is a joint exchange format among IP experts that relies on practical experience and real insights. The aim is to learn from each other how digital visibility and business development can succeed professionally and authentically in the IP context – without advertising messages, but with a real community spirit.

10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome and introduction

Christian Heubeck, Weickmann & Weickmann

Kick-off by the host law firm: Why digital visibility is a strategic topic for IP experts today.

10:15 – 10:45 | Personal branding in the IP sector: How to become visible and relevant as an expert

Giulia Donato, Brand & Communication Advisor, Executive Coach

Why targeted positioning is a business factor today – not just a communication topic

10:45 – 11:15 | Digital Visibility: Practical Experiences

Maria Boicova-Wynants, Strategy Consultant & Trademark Attorney

Which digital marketing formats have proven themselves in the IP sector – and how to remain authentic.

11:15 – 11:45 | LinkedIn Strategies & the SME Program

Prof. Dr. Alexander Wurzer, Director IP Business Academy

What developments are currently evident on LinkedIn – and how the SME program supports IP experts in digital business development.

11:45 – 12:15 | Channels, formats and the IP Business Academy Ambassador Program

Tobias Denk, Program Coordinator IP Business Academy

How visibility can be systematically built up via specialist articles, platforms and community programmes.

12:15 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch

Exchange in a relaxed atmosphere with colleagues from the IP community.

13:30 – 14:00 | Thinking about the future together: The Open Foresight Board

Theo Grünewald, Strategy Consultant Communications

Presentation of a new format for joint future thinking in the IP environment.

14:00 – 15:00 | Open Discussion: Digital Visibility in Practice

Moderation: Christian Heubeck & Alexander Wurzer

What works, what doesn’t – and what can we learn from each other?

15:00 – 15:45 | Peer exchange in small groups

Sharing personal experiences in smaller groups – on positioning, formats and digital challenges.

15:45 – 16:00 | Conclusion and outlook

Christian Heubeck & Tobias Denk

Summary of impulses and ideas for joint next steps in the IP community.

 

Thanks for the picture to Gustavo Fring on pexels