Thank you for hosting us, London!

There is something about London that puts you at ease straight away. A combination of confidence, politeness and that unmistakable, understated sense of humour that runs through everything, from casual conversations to the announcements on public transport. As a Dane arriving on British soil, I feel instantly welcome.

This week, London is hosting more than 10,000 IP professionals attending INTA 2026. That is no small gathering. It made me wonder what it does to a city of around nine million people to host more than 10,000 IP professionals? Apparently, very little. London absorbs trademark lawyers much like it absorbs rain: steadily, efficiently, and without ever making a fuss about it.

The Tube gets us everywhere, at least those of us comfortable using public transportation rather than waiting around for a taxi or an Uber. Streets flow, restaurants buzz, meetings happen on time. According to a reliable local source, London barely notices us. And that makes perfect sense. If London could endure the Blitz during the Second World War—and survive Brexit—it can certainly handle a few days with several thousand lawyers in town.

Nothing beats face‑to‑face interaction. Not video calls, not emails, and not even the most carefully drafted message. As a first‑timer at INTA, it is a genuine pleasure to meet colleagues from all over the world and finally put faces and personalities —to years of email correspondence. The diversity of INTA participants is striking. This is globalisation at its best, and a reminder that countries and cultures are so much more nuanced than their current leaders.

One of the highlights, so far, was the reception at the beautiful National Gallery. You rarely go wrong with classic art. Being surrounded by masterpieces that have endured centuries of changing fashions and opinions added a sense of grace and elegance to the evening. It was a fitting setting for an international community built around originality and legacy, and a gentle reminder that some things, much like London itself, simply age well.

At dinner last night, I found myself discussing history with an English trademark attorney whose name, despite being entirely English, is spelled in a distinctly Gaelic way. The conversation naturally drifted to the Vikings arriving in England many centuries ago. First as aggressors, then settlers, and eventually something rather more local than originally planned. Now, in a way, we are back again. Better educated, calmer, and arguably better dressed. This time, we are not here to conquer, but to connect and exchange ideas. It felt like a small historical loop, and a gentle reminder that we are all, ultimately, one big and slightly improbable mix.

London, thank you for hosting us—with charm, resilience, humour and open arms.